Aerospace & Defence
Today’s market is highly competitive with aggressive competition from both traditional and emerging competitors, says Denzil Lawrence, Supplier Development Boeing Commercial Airplanes.
Customers want ‘more for less’ with products that are affordable and mission-capable, have low operating costs, are environmentally progressive and offer in-service reliability and standardization, with first-time quality.
Sourcing categories across Boeing cover:
Structures: Major assemblies, Body sections, movable wing sections, doors, flight control surfaces, fuselage.
Systems: Avionics, flight systems, hydraulics, wheels and brakes, landing gear, environmental control systems, electrical systems.
Interiors: Passenger seats, Cabin systems, galley inserts, interiors, cargo systems.
Common Commodities: Machined parts, sheet metal parts, assemblies, tubing, wiring, tooling, raw materials, and standards.
Propulsion: Engines, Struts, Nacelles
Aerospace & Defence Sector Suppliers
3D Metrology Solutions Ltd
3D Print Bureau
ABR (Specialist Welding) Ltd
Ad-Vance Engineering
Advanced Tooling Systems UK LTD
Aerospace Cutting Tool Ltd
Alan Browne Lapping Services
Alliance Tooling Ltd
Alphateq Ltd
Ampco Metal Limited
Apex Metrology Ltd
Arthur Jackson & Co Ltd
Avon-Dynamic
Blum Novotest
Boneham & Turner Ltd
Broomfield Carbide Gauges Ltd
Burcas Ltd
Carrs Toolsteel Technologies
Ceratizit UK and Ireland Ltd
CHE Metrology
CyTec Systems UK Ltd
Dudley Associates Ltd
Eley Metrology Limited
Engel UK Ltd Injection Moulding Machines
Engis (UK) Ltd
Excel Precision
Expert Tooling & Automation Ltd
Filtermist Limited
Fimark Ltd
GB Precision
Gravutex Eschmann International Ltd
Guhring Limited
Hadleigh Castings Ltd
Hartmetall UK
HEIDENHAIN GB Limited
IBS Precision Engineering Ltd
Industrial Vision and Metrology Systems Limited
Innovative Measurement Technology Ltd
Kemet International Ltd
KNOLL UK
Kyocera Hardcoating Technologies Ltd
KYOCERA SGS Precision Tools Europe Ltd
Langstone Engineering Ltd
Lynar Manufacturing
Mahr UK & Mahr Federal
Manchester Metrology
Mantech Geometrics
MAPAL Limited
MeadeX Rubber Mouldings Ltd
MEC Machine Tools Limited
Metrology UK
Moorland Toolmaking Company Ltd
Morson Praxis
National Physical Laboratory (NPL)
ND Precision Products
Nikon Metrology UK Ltd
Omega Plastics Group
Optimax Imaging Inspection & Measurement
ORLIN Technologies Ltd
Pentagon Plastics Group
Perfect Bore Manufacturing Ltd
Petford Group
Powdertech Surface Science
Project Innovations Ltd
Quickgrind Carbide Tooling
QVS Pro
R-Winter Tooling
REM Systems Ltd
Renishaw Plc
Ringspann Power Transmission
Ringspann Remote Control Systems
Ringspann Work Holding Technology
Roemheld UK Limited
Rud Chains Ltd
Scott Tools Limited
Sharmic Engineering Limited
Sirius Supply Chain Solutions
Starrag UK Limited
Surtec North East Ltd
T&G Engineering
Tebis (UK) Ltd
Tech-ni-Plant Ltd
Testo Industrial Services Ltd
The 3D Measurement Company Ltd
Thermofax Ltd
Thomas Keating Ltd
Tinius Olsen Ltd
TLM Laser Ltd
Tokai Carbon Europe
Trigabore
TriMech Manufacturing Solutions
United Machining
Vericut
Verus Metrology
Vision Engineering Ltd
W.H.Tildesley
Waveney Precision Ltd
WDS Component Ltd
Whiteland Engineering
WS2 Coatings Ltd
Yorkshire Precision Gauges Ltd
Aerospace & Defence News
Defence News – Early May 2026
Increased global defence spending keeps BAE Systems on target for strong year. UK defence giant BAE Systems has delivered a strong start to 2026, it said in a market update ahead of its annual general meeting today. The group, which employs thousands of people in processes ranging from warship design to cyber warfare at its…
Aerospace News – Early May 2026
Malaysia’s AirAsia has placed an order for 150 latest generation A220-300 aircraft. The purchase agreement is the largest single firm order placed for the A220 and propels the programme beyond the 1,000 firm order milestone, underscoring the aircraft’s global market appeal. The contract was announced at a ceremony at the Airbus facility in Mirabel attended…
Unlocking the Secret to Effortless Aluminium Mirror Polishing
The challenge of achieving a uniform and high-quality polished surface on aluminium mirrors has long been a technical barrier. However, Professor David Walker, Professor of Ultra Precision Surfaces at Huddersfield University, has discovered a solution to this problem – the Kemox SF slurry. The application of this slurry was tested in polishing a 480mmø aluminium…
Defence News – Late April 2026
West Yorkshire-based North Defence has released details of its latest production facility in Elland, alongside its significant growth in the military light mobility vehicle (LMV) space. It comes as the British Army begins its procurement task to replace the Army Land Rover Defender with a modern, battlefield-proven replacement. The new factory will complement North Defence’s…
Aerospace News – Late April 2026
Aircraft orders hit highest first-quarter total since 2013. Commercial aircraft orders rose 9% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2026 to reach 569, marking the strongest start to a year for the sector since 2013, according to UK trade association ADS Group’s latest Economic Briefing. The increase was largely driven by a 25% surge in…
Defence News – Early April 2026
The South West’s maritime drone sector is to receive £50m of Government investment to maintain its world-leading position by developing next-generation surface and subsurface autonomous vessels that will create hundreds of jobs. The funding forms part of the defence growth strategy launched last year to support firms developing remotely operated vehicles that can move through…
Aerospace News – Early April 2026
Electric planes could be serving communities in the north and north east of Scotland within “a couple of years”, according to the firm looking to bring the technology into service. Bristow Helicopters is working with BETA Technologies on the project and said areas like Aberdeen and the Highlands and Islands were good locations for testing.…
Defence News – Late March 2026
Babcock International Group (Babcock), the defence company, has launched a ten‑point charter designed to enable, reshape, and accelerate how the UK defence sector engages with Small-Medium sized enterprises (SMEs). The Babcock SME Engagement Charter builds on insights from the recent Next Line of Defence report, published by Babcock and the University of Exeter, which identified…
Aerospace News – Late March 2026
Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc, a global leader in airfreight logistics based in the US in New York, has placed a landmark firm order for 20 Airbus A350F freighters. The order is the largest placed for the latest generation fuel-efficient A350F and makes Atlas the biggest customer of the type. The A350F aircraft will be…
Defence News – Early March 2026
Swindon Borough Council and Brunel University of London have submitted a bid to UK Research and Innovation’s Local Investment in Partnerships Fund to establish a drone and defence technology cluster in the town. The formal application seeks funding for a 60-month programme to support hi-tech manufacturing growth in uncrewed aerial systems, autonomy and defence technology.…
Aerospace News – Early March 2026
Aircraft manufacturer, Airbus, has confirmed that Air Astana Group, the airline group in Central Asia and the Caucasus regions by revenue and fleet size, has signed a firm order for 25 Airbus A320neo Family aircraft – the largest ever direct order by the group. The agreement was made on the 20th anniversary since Air Astana…
Defence News – Late February 2026
Increased defence spending across the world is driving UK defence giant BAE Systems to increased revenues and profits, helping to slash its borrowings. The group, which employs thousands of people in processes ranging from warship design to cyber warfare at its sites in Bristol, Yeovil, Weymouth and Dorchester, reported a 10.3% rise in pre-tax profits…
Aerospace News – Late February 2026
Aircraft manufacturer Airbus soars to record year as financials and orders take off. All key financial measures at Airbus SE showed improvement during its record 2025 financial year, the group revealed today (February 19). Its consolidated results show revenues of €73.4bn, up 6% on the previous year, EBIT (earnings before interest and tax) of €6,082bn,…
Defence News – Early February 2026
The International Group has announced the launch of International Aerospace & Defence Alloys (IADA) – a dedicated business focused on high-integrity alloys for aerospace and defence programmes. IADA separates the group’s defence and aerospace capabilities from its energy products division, giving primes, Tier 1s and specialist suppliers a distinct commercial front, approvals pathway and customer…
Aerospace News – Early February 2026
Aircraft deliveries in 2025 outstripped every year since 2018, marking the strongest performance for the UK aerospace sector in almost a decade, according to new figures from ADS, the trade association for the aerospace, defence, security and space industries. A total of 1,411 aircraft were delivered last year – a 25% increase on the 1,128…
Defence News – Late January 2026
Staffordshire based JCB has secured a massive deal to supply the United States armed forces with more than 500 machines in a deal worth up to $205 million. The contract for 535 militarised versions of JCB’s 437HT wheeled loader has been secured with the United States Marine Corps (USMC) and will be supplied over the…
Aerospace News – Late January 2026
Bristol Airport and Ultima Forma have announced the successful development of a pioneering liquid hydrogen (LH₂) refuelling project, designed to support emerging zero carbon emissions aircraft. The project, funded through Bristol Airport’s ACT (Aviation Carbon Transition) Programme, represents a significant step towards decarbonising regional air travel. The project delivers a first-of-its-kind technical report showing how…
Defence News – Early January 2026
Defence giant Leonardo, which owns the UK’s largest helicopter plant in Yeovil and a site in Bristol, has made its bleakest warning yet over the future of its British operations unless it secures a contract with the Ministry of Defence worth £1bn. In what is being viewed as a last-ditch attempt to get the MoD…
Aerospace News – Early January 2026
Aircraft manufacturer, Airbus, delivered 793 commercial aircraft to 91 customers globally in 2025 – a four per cent increase – and registered 1,000 new gross orders in the commercial aircraft business. The backlog at the end of December 2025 increased to a new year-end record of 8,754 aircraft highlighting the strong market demand for Airbus’s…
Defence News – Early November 2025
Rolls-Royce has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the State of Victoria, Australia, to collaborate on developing the region’s defence industry skills, supply chain and innovation ecosystem in support of the AUKUS submarine programme. The partnership will focus on developing nuclear skills, including exploring the creation of Rolls-Royce-affiliated skills and training academies in Victoria.…
Aerospace News – Early November 2025
Korean Air has become a new customer for the world’s only all-new large freighter following the conversion of seven of its existing Airbus A350-1000 passenger aircraft orders to the A350F. Powered by the latest Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines, the aircraft will bring a reduction in fuel consumption and carbon emissions of up to 40% when…
Aerospace News – Late October 2025
Thousands of South West aerospace and defence jobs are being supported after the Government signed a £4.5bn deal with the Republic of Türkiye for 20 Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft and an associated weapons and integration package. The agreement, described by ministers as the biggest fighter jet export deal in a generation, follows the signing of a…
Defence News – Early October 2025
Global technology company Siemens and Rolls-Royce Submarines have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to collaborate on digital optimisation and boost efficiency across engineering to support the Royal Navy’s submarine fleet. The MOU will encourage shared and mutual collaboration, with the ultimate aim to minimise time to production for new Rolls-Royce technology, while reducing cost…
Defence News – Late September 2025
A major new drone production factory is set to open in Swindon, creating 1,000 jobs. The new factory, operated by Tekever, was announced by the Defence Secretary John Healey. Expected to open next year, it will position Swindon as a centre for UK drone manufacturing, creating skilled jobs and apprenticeships. https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/south-west/news/28285-defence-drone-company-opens-biggest-uk-site-in-swindon A new Alliance between…
Aerospace News – Late September 2025
Vertical Aerospace (VA) is planning to set up a factory at the Cotswold Airport to produce 25 flying taxis, called the VX4, per year. The Bristol-based company said it is hoping to have the all-electric taxi certified for commercial use by 2028. VA said it will also build a new battery facility next to its…
Defence News – Early September 2025
The UK has secured a £10bn deal to supply the Norwegian navy with at least five new warships. The agreement to provide Type 26 frigates will be the UK’s “biggest ever warship export deal by value”, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said, while Norway said it would be its largest “defence capability investment” to date.…
Defence News – Early August 2025
The UK Government has pledged to boost spending with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by £2.5bn over the next three years, in a move aimed at strengthening national security and supporting economic growth — with Scottish firms set to benefit significantly. The announcement came during a defence roundtable at Edinburgh’s Queen Elizabeth House, chaired by…
Aerospace News – Early August 2025
Aerospace giant Airbus, which has a major plant in Bristol, has said problems in getting enough engines for its completed aircraft is hitting its delivery targets. It delivered total of 306 commercial aircraft during the six months to June 30 – a fall of 17 on the same period last year. Airbus, the world’s largest…
Defence News – Late July 2025
An agreement between the UK and Turkey over the export of Eurofighter Typhoon jets could secure hundreds of jobs in the South West’s aerospace and defence sectors. The two NATO members yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding, bringing the government in Ankara a step closer to buying the multi-role, twin-engine fighter aircraft built by a…
Aerospace News – Late July 2025
Essar Energy Transition (EET), which plans to create the world’s leading low carbon process refinery at Stanlow, in Cheshire, has been awarded £2.5m from the Government’s Department for Transport (DfT), towards it plans. The funding, part of the Government’s Advanced Fuels Fund (AFF) scheme, is to develop one of the UK’s largest advanced Sustainable Aviation…
Defence News – Early July 2025
The value of the defence sector, and in particular BAE Systems, to Lancashire has been revealed by Oxford Economics. The global forecasting, quantitative analysis and industry-specific economic consulting specialist, has put the spotlight on the importance of the ‘defence dividend’ the county and its communities. The Government has made clear it expects to see a…
Aerospace News – Early July 2025
Commercial aircraft orders increased by almost 900% in May 2025 compared to the previous year, pushing the total aircraft backlog to a record 16,073, according to trade association ADS. The data, compiled by the trade association for the UK’s aerospace, defence, security and space industries, estimates this backlog to be worth over £251bn in value…
Defence News – Late June 2025
Defence giant Babcock International, which employs more than 10,400 people across 60-plus sites in the South West, hailed a “new era” for the sector today as it unveiled a double-digit leap in annual profits. Operating profit surged by more than 50% to £364m for the year to the end of March. This included a one-off…
Aerospace News – Late June 2025
The South West centre behind world-leading research into next-generation aircraft wing technology has welcomed a £15.8m investment from the government, saying it will accelerate innovation in a vital sector for the region’s economy. As reported by TheBusinessDesk last week, the National Composites Centre (NCC) in Bristol will receive the funding as part of a £250m…
Defence News – Early June 2025
The UK will build at least six new munitions and energetics factories and thousands more long-range weapons to strengthen Britain’s Armed Forces and create new jobs across the country. Through the Strategic Defence Review – published in the coming days – the UK’s defence and deterrence is being bolstered with thousands of long-range weapons and…
Aerospace News – Early June 2025
Holidaymakers will enjoy quicker flights and fewer delays as part of new laws set out today (2 June 2025) to open up new and more direct routes, propel airport expansion and boost growth. The changes laid in Parliament today will enable the largest redesign of UK airspace since it was first formed in the…
Defence News – Late May 2025
Rheinmetall, a global leader in defence technology and manufacturing, has confirmed that Telford will be the home of its new large-calibre barrel production facility. The new site, located on the former GKN site in Telford, will generate more than 400 highly skilled jobs and deliver an estimated £400m boost to the UK economy over the…