Annual revenue for the aerospace, defence security and space sectors in Northern Ireland has reached £2.2bn, according to figures published by ADS Group. This exceeds the target set by The Northern Ireland Partnering for Growth Strategy in 2014 to double the size of the sectors from £1bn to £2bn over 10 years.
The report also found that the aerospace, defence security and space sectors provide £900m in additional value for the Northern Irish economy, highlighting these sectors clear potential to be a key driver of future economic growth in Northern Ireland.
These sectors also create 9,000 direct jobs in Northern Ireland, the report confirmed. This figure includes over 500 apprentices as the sectors drive key skill clusters within Northern Ireland, ensuring high skilled Labour in the region for the long-term. The report also estimates the output per worker of these four sectors in Northern Ireland is £100,000, a stunning 59% more than average productivity across the UK economy.
Leslie Orr, Director of ADS Northern Ireland said:
“We are delighted to have achieved and succeeded the highly ambitious target set by the Northern Ireland Partnering for Growth Strategy all those years ago, and that our sectors are thriving in Northern Ireland more broadly.
“These high technology, high value sectors make a massive long-term contribution to Northern Ireland. This contribution comes in the jobs they create, the investments they make, and much more. Data like this affirms my belief that the best days for our sectors in Northern Ireland are ahead of us, not behind us, and I look forward to the growth and prosperity the next decade will bring.”
CEO of Invest Northern Ireland, Kieran Donoghue said:
“Exceeding the ambitious target set by the Northern Ireland Partnering for Growth Strategy is a significant milestone that underscores the importance of our aerospace, defence, security and space sectors and the significant economic benefits they bring to Northern Ireland. The success we celebrate today also highlights the strong and effective partnership between ADS and Invest NI, which has been instrumental in driving this growth.
“This achievement is not just about hitting targets; it is also about securing a prosperous future for Northern Ireland. I am confident that the collaborative spirit and commitment to engineering excellence, for which these sectors are globally renowned, will continue to drive us forward and foster even greater growth and innovation in the years ahead.”
ADS, the trade association for the UK’s aerospace, defence, security and space sectors, launched its 2024 Northern Ireland Facts & Figures report confirming that growth targets for the sectors have been exceeded in a joint reception with Invest NI at the Farnborough International Airshow.