South West unveils defence prospectus to boost security and growth

A new defence prospectus has been launched in the South West to support national security and economic growth.

Known as The Defence Prospectus, it has been introduced ahead of the Government’s Strategic Defence Review, highlighting the South West’s critical role in delivering national security and driving economic expansion as the UK’s defence powerhouse.

The prospectus was launched by The Great South West, a Pan-Regional Partnership representing Cornwall & the Isles of Scilly, Devon, Dorset, and Somerset. 

This private-public sector partnership facilitates investment, delivers major projects, and develops a testbed for innovation across the region. 

It is funded by the UK Government and works with MPs and Ministers to seize opportunities, address challenges, and promote the Great South West.

The prospectus outlines how the South West is poised to:

• Expand domestic manufacturing capacity, reducing reliance on international imports and strengthening the UK’s supply chain.
• Accelerate innovation in defence technology, supporting research and development (R&D) in areas such as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence (AI), autonomous systems, and next-generation aerospace.
• Scale up skills and workforce development to ensure the UK has the specialist talent needed for national defence priorities.
• Unlock export opportunities by leveraging the region’s defence industry to strengthen the UK’s global presence.

The South West is home to major military assets, including Babcock, BAE Systems, Leonardo, Atlas Elektronik, and the National Drone Hub, making it uniquely positioned to drive the Government’s Industrial Strategy ambitions and establish defence as a key driver of economic growth.

The partnership explained that, with rising geopolitical tensions, including conflicts in Eastern Europe and the Middle East, increasing strategic competition in the Indo-Pacific, disruptions to global supply chains, and the growing sophistication of cyber threats, the UK’s defence capabilities are more critical than ever.

Neil Skelland, Director of Business Development at Atlas Elektronik and Chair of the Great South West Defence & Security Programme Board, said: “The Defence Prospectus highlights the strength of the Great South West as the UK’s premier defence region. We are home to the expertise, innovation, skills, science, and infrastructure to provide an engine for growth. We can spread prosperity, boost industrial resilience, and deter adversaries by leveraging the defence opportunities in the Great South West.”

North Devon MP Ian Roome was present at the partnership’s unveiling.

He said: “Defence is a sector where our region truly excels, but we need to keep championing the Great South West and everything it can contribute to the UK's economic prosperity. I've been so impressed by the innovation and ingenuity of defence firms I've visited in North Devon, and showcasing the west country's massive potential is what this project is all about.”