Innovation and growth through the UK's world-leading defence
industry was the focus of a visit to a Sheffield factory today by
the Defence Secretary and NATO Secretary General.
Defence Secretary, and NATO Secretary General Mark
Rutte toured Sheffield Forgemasters, which manufactures
specialist steel parts used in critical defence programmes,
including nuclear-grade steel components for the Royal Navy's
attack submarines.
The factory, which employs 725 skilled staff, is symbolic of the
government's plan to harness defence as an engine for growth and
deliver on the Plan for Change, and how investment in the UK's
defence industry not only boosts British jobs but strengthens the
defence and deterrence of the NATO alliance.
Sheffield Forgemasters has been manufacturing components for
nuclear powered, conventionally armed submarines with more than
£200m worth of contracts in place under the AUKUS programme. The
Government confirmed plans last week to deliver up to 12
SSN-AUKUS attack submarines, which will further strengthen the
UK's contribution to NATO in addition to creating thousands of
jobs across the UK.
It comes the week after the publication of the Government's
Strategic Defence Review (SDR), which saw the government commit
billions of pounds in investment for British defence companies,
driving innovation and supporting thousands of jobs around the
country – delivering on the Government's Plan for
Change.
The NATO Secretary General has welcomed the industry focus of the
SDR and highlighted how it will be key to supporting the
deterrent effect of the alliance while boosting collective
security.
Defence Secretary, said:
“Sheffield Forgemasters sits in one of Britain's proudest
industrial heartlands, and it is at the heart of our drive to
shift our sovereign defence industry to warfighting readiness,
supporting hundreds of skilled jobs in the process. The work is
ensuring this government's commitment to the defence dividend is
met, delivering on the Plan for Change.
“It was a pleasure to tour its factory with the NATO Secretary
General, where we discussed this government's plan to put NATO
first as we deliver on our landmark Strategic Defence Review.
“NATO is critical to UK security and global security, which is
why we are stepping up to lead in Europe, investing in powerful
new technologies to support growth and boost our national
security.”
NATO Secretary General, Mark Rutte:
“The renewal of the UK's defence industry will not only enhance
Allied security but boost national prosperity as well. It is a
vital component in ensuring warfighting readiness.
“The United Kingdom has a rich heritage in manufacturing and
innovation, and Sheffield Forgemasters is an excellent example of
this. Harnessing this legacy will be critical to enabling NATO to
effectively deter and defend against future threats.”
Sheffield Forgemasters will be crucial to delivering the plans
set out in the SDR, as they restart manufacturing for artillery
gun barrels, the first time they have been produced by the UK in
decades underlining the defence dividend delivered by this
government's spending uplift. This follows the Prime Minister's
historic commitment to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP
by 2027 and ambition for 3% in the next Parliament.
Their work also supports vital equipment supplied to Ukraine,
such as L119 Light Guns and the AS90 self-propelled gun.
It comes after major announcements following the SDR, including:
the building of up to a dozen new attack submarines for the Royal
Navy; £5bn of confirmed investment in drone and laser weapon
technology, up to 7,000 new UK-built long-range weapons to be
procured; at least six new munitions and energetics factories in
the UK; more than £1.5 billion to improve the state of military
housing; and more than £1 billion for pioneering technology to
spearhead battlefield engagements.
Sheffield Forgemasters plays a vital role in this National
Endeavour as part of the Defence Nuclear Enterprise - the
partnership of organisations that operate, maintain, renew, and
sustain the UK's nuclear deterrent.
The nuclear deterrent is the bedrock of the UK's national
security, helping to guarantee the safety of the UK and our NATO
allies.
