Scotland plays a key role in the UK, European and world-wide defence industries, employing over 12,600 people and annual sales of over £1.8 billion a year – which includes the core marine companies, which are involved primarily in the naval defence subsector. 

Scottish based companies are involved in the design, development, manufacture and support of a wide range of high-technology defence equipment. This includes warships, missile systems and sensor systems.  

Naval warship construction

BAE Systems Maritime on the River Clyde undertakes the design, manufacture and through-life support of a range of complex warships including the class-leading Type 45 Anti Air Warfare Destroyers. Rosyth-based Babcock Marine is a member of the alliance of companies building the UK’s new Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers and a strategic deep maintenance base for Royal Navy warship 

Defence electronics

SELEX Galileo is a leader in the supply of electronic systems for military air, land and sea platforms. It’s Edinburgh site being the largest defence electronics site in the UK and is heavily involved in a range of programmes such as Eurofighter, SAAB Vixen an the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.  

Electro-optical systems

Thales Optronics designs and manufactures a range of systems including laser targeting and range finding devices, which are deployed by armed forces in use by UK and overseas armed forces. Thales also provides combined sonar and electronic warfare support service to the Royal Navy’s Vanguard and Astute class submarines.

Component repair, overhaul and modification

Vector Aerospace Component Services specialises in providing one-stop-shop capability for an extensive range of rotary and fast jet aircraft mechanical and hydraulic components.