Scotland’s aerospace, defence, security and space industries have surged since the pandemic, according to new figures.
Their trade body is now urging both the Scottish and UK governments to provide clarity and support to secure long-term growth.
ADS said the sectors added £3.7 billion to the Scottish economy last year — a 55% increase on 2020. Turnover reached £9bn, up by a third over five years.
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The data also shows record employment, with 36,900 people directly employed across the industries in Scotland, including 2,000 apprenticeships.
Employment in the defence sector alone has risen by two thirds since 2019, with 16,250 people now working in the industry.
Productivity across the four sectors has increased by nearly a third to £100,000 per worker, almost half again the UK average.
In aerospace, output per worker has surged by 93% to £140,000.
Warrick Malcolm, director of ADS Scotland, said the industries were “not only economic drivers, but also key contributors to innovation, skills development, and regional prosperity”.
He said: “The strategic importance of aerospace, defence, security and space to Scotland cannot be overstated."
“There is now a real opportunity to build on this momentum through the appropriate resourcing and support. It is vital that both governments provide the clarity and certainty needed to secure the long-term prosperity of our industries.”
Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander said the figures underlined Scotland’s importance to the UK-wide defence and aerospace sectors.
He said: “World-class Scottish skills, expertise and innovation are key drivers in the success of the UK’s defence, security, aerospace and space sectors.
"The UK Government is committed to ensuring that Scotland continues to be at the forefront of these industries through record investment and our ten-year Industrial Strategy.”
According to ADS, the defence and space sectors each now contribute £1.3bn to the Scottish economy.
The figures come as the UK Government moves ahead with its pledge to spend 5% of national income on national security by 2035, with 3.5% allocated to core defence and 1.5% to resilience and security.
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