The government has announced a huge programme of support for the UK aerospace industry -- more than £1 billion of public funding, to be matched by additional funding from industry, over seven years.
The Midlands Aerospace Alliance has been fully involved on behalf of our members in the AGP for the last two years to create a new industrial strategy for UK aerospace which supports companies at all levels of the supply chain.
The government has announced a huge programme of support for the UK aerospace industry -- more than £1 billion of public funding, to be matched by additional funding from industry, over seven years. Click here for the BIS press release and the UK Aerospace Growth Partnership's strategy which lies behind the funding:"Lifting Off: Implementing the Strategic Vision for UK Aerospace."
The Midlands Aerospace Alliance has been fully involved on behalf of our members in the AGP for the last two years to create a new industrial strategy for UK aerospace which supports companies at all levels of the supply chain:
- MAA chief executive Dr Andrew Mair sits on the core Aerospace Growth Partnership group co-chaired by GKN Aerospace CEO Marcus Bryson and BIS Minister Michael Fallon, representing all the regional aerospace alliances.
- MAA director Neil Rawlinson plays a key role in the AGPs manufacturing technology group.
- The AGP's recommended National Aerospace Technology Exploitation Programme (2013-17), to develop new technologies in the heart of the supply chain, is based on, and turns, the MAA's Aerospace Technology Exploitation Programme (2006-12) into a national programme. Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg separately announced its conditional approval two weeks ago (though that's all we are allowed to say at this point).
Aerospace Industrial Strategy Headlines
- There is a huge opportunity for the UK to benefit from the forecast growth in Aerospace driven by the need for up to 27,000 new passenger aircraft (valued at over $4 trillion) between now and 2030 and the demand for greener, more fuel efficient aircraft.
- The Aerospace Industrial Strategy (AIS) sets out a long-term strategic plan for the UK’s civil aerospace sector. It has been developed by Government and Industry working together through the Aerospace Growth Partnership.
- The Strategy concludes that the UK can sustain its position at the forefront of global aerospace manufacturing by focussing on maintaining leadership in the four key, high-value and highly complex areas of modern aircraft – wings, engines, aerostructures and advanced systems.
- Delivery will be supported by a joint Government /industry R&D investment of over £2 billion over the next seven years. This significant, long term investment will be overseen by a new Aerospace Research Institute (ATI, an Industry led body that will bring a national, single focus to research and facilities in the sector.)
- The strategy also sets out actions for building UK manufacturing capability, skills and the competiveness of the supply chain. All are critical to grasping future growth opportunities.
Bromford Industries chief executive and MAA director Mike Smith (right) shows
Business Secretary Vince Cable around the company on a visit to the Midlands
More news to follow . . .
We'll interpret what it all means in practice for our cluster, our companies and our people in future e-letters.
