The launch of the West Midlands Regional Defence and Security Cluster marks an important step in strengthening the region’s role in the UK’s defence and security landscape. Delivered by West Midlands Growth Company, the cluster will bring together businesses, universities, government and industry partners to connect regional capability with national demand, supporting innovation, collaboration and growth across one of the West Midlands’ strategically important sectors.
The region-wide partnership brings together industry, academia, government and the Armed Forces to boost collaboration across the sector and support organisations of all sizes to innovate and grow.
We’re going all in to win major investment for our defence and security sector because that’s where the high-quality jobs of the future are for local people. It will take a team effort but the award of Defence Technical Excellence College status for Walsall College already means our young people will get the skills they need to land those jobs and we have industry leaders serving on our defence council.
- Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands
The West Midlands is one of the UK’s most diverse and strategically important regions for defence and security, employing 23,500 people and with an annual Ministry of Defence (MOD) industry spend of £1.7 billion. Its strengths in defence and security are underpinned by the region’s flagship Investment Zone, diverse end-to-end manufacturing supply chain, deep pool of STEM talent and academic excellence, with ten world-class universities.
This new cluster now brings together top talent from innovative businesses and world-class universities right across the region. It’s a huge opportunity for those companies to grow and for young people to build careers in jobs critical to our economic success and our national security.
- Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands
The establishment of the West Midlands RDSC comes at a critical moment for the UK defence industry, with rising capability demands and rapid technological change requiring a more joined-up approach across the sector. Several other RDSCs are active across the UK, creating a national network of clusters.
The West Midlands Regional Defence and Security Cluster (RDSC) was launched at a special event hosted at the UK Telecoms Lab (UKTL). UKTL is a cyber security and resilience lab based in the West Midlands, responsible for bolstering the security of telecoms critical national infrastructure. The launch included key presentations from industry, MOD teams and Armed Forces representatives, demonstrating the defence and security opportunities available to West Midlands firms.
The West Midlands has a deep-rooted defence and security sector, with strengths spanning advanced manufacturing, cyber, autonomous systems, and engineering. The West Midlands Regional Defence and Security Cluster builds on this foundation, connecting the region's businesses, universities, and public sector bodies to create a thriving innovation ecosystem that delivers real capability into the hands of UK Defence.
- Bruce Hardie, Defence Industry Partner at UK Defence Innovation (UKDI), MOD
The West Midlands RDSC will be delivered by the West Midlands Growth Company – the region’s official economic development organisation. The partnership includes local authorities, industry partners, including manufacturer NMS UK, the MOD and key research institutions – including Manufacturing Technology Centre, University of Birmingham and University of Warwick. It will support the delivery of the Midlands Defence and Security Blueprint and be connected to the Midlands Defence and Security Industry Council, translating the UK’s national defence strategies into a regional delivery plan.
NMS UK has established itself in the West Midlands to reinforce its position as a leading manufacturer of Military Protected 4x4 vehicles, bringing over 40 years of engineering expertise in service of the British Army and UK defence exports. With the West Midlands at the heart of the UK’s mobility and manufacturing industry, the region provides an ideal base for investment and growth.
- David Zevulun, Country Director at NMS UK
The West Midlands RDSC is free to join, with more information and joining instructions available on its website: www.westmidsrdsc.co.uk.
