The Prime Minister saw firsthand the depth and scale of new technology and infrastructure keeping the nation at the cutting edge of innovation. He delivered a speech covering the key tenets of the plan to an audience of government, industry and military representatives. Together with the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, Secretary of State for Defence, Dan Jarvis, and Chief of the Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton, the Prime Minister toured the facility, met with employees and saw a range of the uncrewed air systems BAE Systems is producing, which will help ensure the UK armed forces have the cutting-edge capabilities they need to deter evolving threats and keep the British people safe.
The Defence Investment Plan provides much-needed clarity for industry and a clear strategic direction for our armed forces.
The government's commitment to increased defence spending is vital to sustaining the specialist skills across our industrial base critical to national security, while also signalling to our adversaries that the UK is serious about its defence.
At BAE Systems, we continue to invest in our business to drive innovation, enhance productivity and build capacity, as we play our part in meeting the elevated demand. We're committed to working with our partners and suppliers to deliver the equipment and services our armed forces need - from fighter jets, warships and submarines that form the backbone of the UK's enduring deterrence, to agile, disruptive technologies like uncrewed and autonomous systems. Together, we'll ensure the UK armed forces have what they need to safeguard our national security now and in the future.Charles WoodburnBAE Systems Chief Executive
