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buglerbilly
13-07-10, 02:30 PM
(Source: ADS; issued July 13, 2010)

A|D|S, the UK’s AeroSpace, Defence and Security trade organisation today (Tuesday) published the findings of its 2010 aerospace industry survey. The report examines the performance of the UK-based sector covering both civil and defence aerospace during 2009.

As in previous years, when the survey was run by A|D|S predecessor organization SBAC, the results provide a definitive picture of the overall UK-based aerospace sector and are used by Government and analysts alike.

Ian Godden, Chairman of A|D|S, said:


“Last year was tough for the whole aerospace industry given the wider context of the global downturn but these results demonstrate the resilience of the UK-based part of the sector. Overall this is an extraordinary performance during a world-wide recession with an increase in revenues, a rise in productivity and stability within our 100,000-strong highly-skilled workforce.

“The UK aerospace sector remains number one in Europe and second only to the US globally. Our industry consists of over 2,600 high-value manufacturers and service providers, large and small with a nationwide footprint. It is still very competitive worldwide, illustrated by the fact that two thirds of our revenues come from exports and our productivity continues to improve at a consistent long-term annual rate of six per cent. We are boosting the UK economy at a time of great need and there is further potential for growth in our sector, assuming we receive bold and high level support from the UK Government. This support will be crucial to compete with other powerful nations who are ambitious to take a growing share in this attractive growth market.

“However, this current UK success and the strength to ride out the worst of the recession are based on long-term, sustained investment in the past especially in R&D and workforce development. A decline in such investment over the past two years in our surveys is a cause for concern, especially in the context of further cuts anticipated in defence. Although the downwards trend in R&D spending is somewhat expected in the short term during a recession, the industry will have to reverse this now that the economy is showing signs of picking up.”

Headline survey findings are as follows:

* Revenue up 5.4 per cent to £22.2 billion, with defence accounting for 52 per cent of this figure or £11.6 billion and exports responsible for 70 per cent of overall turnover.
* Workforce levels steady at just over 100,000.
* Orders down 10.4 per cent, but at a lower level of decline than in 2008, at £32.2 billion.
* Research and development spending down 7.4 per cent to £1.74 billion reflecting a global trend during the downturn.
* Exports to the ‘rest of the world’ and the EU grew by 20 and 10 per cent respectively.
* Aerospace defence exports grew by 15 per cent to £6.68 billion.
* Overall sales to the US, mainly in defence, fell by 20 per cent.
* Productivity per employee up 6.2 per cent.
* Improving global predictions of new aircraft sales were reflected in a 27 per cent rise in systems and frames sales at £14 billion.
* Encouragingly, the number of young people studying industry-related subjects rose by 6 per cent. This is crucial for the long-term health of the sector given the UK industry employee’s average age is 54.

BACKGROUND NOTES:

1. The 2010 A|D|S annual survey can be found at http://tinyurl.com/adssurvey2010.

2. The 2009 survey can be found at
http://www.sbac.co.uk/community/cms/content/preview/news_item_view.asp?i=19665.

A|D|S is the trade organisation advancing UK AeroSpace, Defence and Security industries with Farnborough International Limited as a wholly-owned subsidiary. A|D|S also encompasses the British Aviation Group (BAG). It is formed from the merger of the Association of Police and Public Security Suppliers (APPSS), the Defence Manufacturers Association (DMA) and the Society of British Aerospace Companies (SBAC).

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buglerbilly
30-07-10, 03:58 PM
DATE:30/07/10

SOURCE:Flight International

Indian Hawk deal underscores UK's defence export ambitions

By Craig Hoyle

Coming barely a week after UK government and industry officials used the Farnborough air show to underscore a continued and growing emphasis on securing defence exports, India's confirmation of a repeat order for BAE Systems' Hawk advanced jet trainer is a swift indicator of success.

In late July, the UK Trade & Investment body's Defence and Security Organisation (UKTI DSO) announced that the country had exported defence goods and services worth £7.2 billion ($11.2 billion) in 2009, up 70% on the previous year's £4.2 billion. It attributed the sales spike to support deals linked to Saudi Arabia's acquisition of 72 Eurofighter Typhoons, and on a variety of business activities with the USA.

The strong orders total took the value of the UK's defence export activities to £93 billion over a 10-year period, with aircraft-related deals having accounted for 79% of this total. It also maintained its second-place status behind US industry, with a global share of around 20%.

"The government encourages us to increase our market share, and we are determined to deliver on that," says UKTI DSO head Richard Paniguian. "It is our job to ensure that UK industry is in the fittest possible condition, and able to anticipate market needs."

Separately, UK exports linked to the security sector rose by 14% last year to reach £1.4 billion. "Our expectation in security is to see double-digit growth into the future," Paniguian says.

UKTI DSO has identified almost 20 countries, including Brazil, Iraq, Oman and Turkey, as holding sales potential for defence and security deals in 2010-11.

Worth more than £700 million to BAE and Rolls-Royce, India's follow-on order for 57 Hawk 132s marks the UK's latest success with a product that has now been sold to 18 countries.

"We have got to get to opportunities more quickly, and deliver products tested and capable in the hands of our own armed forces," Paniguian says. "Last year we did that, and this is turning out to be a promising year as well."