UK Defence Industry
Explore the UK’s Defence Industry, where companies are advancing military technology. From AI-driven surveillance to secure communications and next-generation military platforms, discover the companies shaping the future of defence with real-time data.
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What is the Defence industry?
Defence is a vast and evolving sector focused on national security, military capability, and technological innovation. It spans industries and companies that develop, manufacture, and support everything from secure communications and AI-driven surveillance to advanced military platforms and logistics.
Traditional defence industries, such as shipbuilding, aerospace, and armoured vehicle manufacturing, are now joined by cutting-edge fields like autonomous systems, cyber warfare, and space-based intelligence. As global threats shift and technology advances, the sector is increasingly driven by AI, data, and next-generation connectivity to ensure strategic advantage.
Our Defence RTIC focuses on UK-based companies driving innovation in defence, from secure communications and AI-driven surveillance to advanced military platforms and logistics solutions.
Built using a taxonomy adapted from the Ministry of Defence (MOD), this RTIC provides a real-time view of the sector, identifying key players across emerging and established defence technologies. It excludes broader service providers, instead highlighting companies at the forefront of defence innovation.
Defence sector summary
Discover real-time data and insights sourced directly from The Data City platform, driven by our innovative Real-Time Industrial Classifications (RTICs). Our RTICs harness the power of web data and machine learning, and are published with industry experts for precision and relevance.
Here are the key facts about the Defence sector. The sector has a turnover of £49.4bn currently, has received £1.2bn of investment and the sector is growing at -0.3% per year.
Defence verticals
Our industry data goes deep. See the top verticals and specialisms making waves in the UK Defence industry today.
Our Defence RTIC is made up of 4 individual verticals. The top verticals in this sector include Space and Resilient Communications, and Comprehensive Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance. You can find out more about the verticals by downloading our RTIC report, or by signing up for a free trial of The Data City platform.
- Sector Code Description Records
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RTIC0096 Defence *New 494 companies
Companies involved in developing secure communications, advanced military platforms, AI-driven surveillance, and critical logistics for the defence sector. This RTIC has been built based on the taxonomy adapted from MOD
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Defence: Comprehensive Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance234 companies
Companies involved in development and integration of sensor systems, AI-driven analytics, autonomous platforms, and secure networks to enhance Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR). By leveraging advanced materials, electronics, and energy solutions, they provide real-time situational awareness, ensuring informed decision-making and operational advantage in complex environments.
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Defence: Modernised Logistics and Support224 companies
Companies in the defence sector providing critical logistics and support services such as Material Management , personnel transport , facility construction, maintenance and operation and medical & health support.
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Defence: Platforms217 companies
Companies involved in development manned and unmanned military platforms (building and upgrading military vehicles , ships , aircraft etc.)
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Defence: Space and Resilient Communications280 companies
Companies developing secure, resilient, and interoperable space and communication systems to support military operations across all domains. They provide satellite-based intelligence, navigation, and global communications, alongside advanced radio, optical, and AI-driven traffic management technologies
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Defence industry growth
Based on a growth rate of -0.3%, we expect that this sector could be worth £53.1bn by 2026. Below you can see our forecast of the growth of the sector.
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