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Defence and Security Blueprint for the Midlands

Led by the East Midlands County and West Midlands Combined Authorities Delivering on our Compact

By 2035, the Midlands will be a globally recognised, innovation-led defence ecosystem - powering national security, economic growth, and inclusive opportunity.

West Midlands Combined Authority, chaired by Mayor of the West Midlands, Richard Parker, has joined with East Midlands Combined County Authority, chaired by Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward, to launch the Defence and Security Blueprint for the Midlands.

This Blueprint translates the UK’s Strategic Defence Review (SDR) and Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS) into regional delivery.

It sets out a bold, practical plan to secure the Midlands’ place at the heart of the UK’s defence effort.

Read the document below

Defence and Security Blueprint for the Midlands

The Mayors came together to mobilise the region's businesses to seize new defence industry opportunities during a visit to Wolverhampton-based Safran, a major employer in the city with 1,300 staff making critical parts for major aircraft manufacturers and the defence industry. [LINK TO MEDIA RELEASE]

Our combined authorities are supporting with the launch of The Midlands Defence and Security Industry Council - the first of its kind in the UK.

It will help Midland manufacturers and innovators play their part in bolstering national security and also drive economic growth and well-paid jobs for local people.

Our joint-blueprint will focus on five strategic priorities: 

  1. Unlocking SME potential and strengthening supply chains - Building the UK’s most agile and resilient defence SME ecosystem by simplifying procurement, improving visibility of opportunities, and embedding cyber resilience.

  2. Building an inclusive, future-ready defence workforce - Connecting people to opportunity through inclusive pathways, specialist training, and deep industry-academic collaboration and creating a multi-generational skills legacy.

  3. Driving innovation and dual-use capability -
    Positioning the Midlands as a national testbed for next-generation technologies - leveraging world-class R&D assets and accelerating dual-use innovation.

  4. Mobilising investment for defence growth
    - Securing a Defence Growth Deal, attracting global capital, and embedding defence across high-value industrial zones - while leveraging major events like the Invictus Games to showcase innovation and inclusive growth.

  5. Establishing governance for impact and delivery - Creating strong, industry-led structures to steer delivery - launching the Midlands Defence and Security Industry Council and empowering regional clusters.