The Western Regional Defence and Security Cluster (WRDSC) announces its official launch at DSEI, bringing together key stakeholders to strengthen the defence and security industrial base across Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset, Wiltshire, Swindon, and Gloucestershire.
As the newest group in a national network of Regional Defence and Security Clusters, the WRDSC's mission is to create collaborative pathways for industry, government, and academia to share ideas, promote innovation, drive commercialisation, and develop skills – all of which contribute to UK national security and prosperity.
A key focus is to enable small and medium-sized enterprises to access the defence and security supply chain and contribute to the UK’s military capability.
The WRDSC is a direct result of collaboration between its founding members, which include Wiltshire County Council, Airbus, Babcock, and NCC. These organisations have come together to build a strong regional ecosystem that supports both established defence and security primes and a diverse network of smaller, innovative companies, underpinned by access to our world-leading academic and applied research base.
Cllr Ian Thorn, Leader of Wiltshire Council, said: “Wiltshire has long been a cornerstone of the UK’s defence and security landscape, and we are proud to be a founding member of the Western Regional Defence and Security Cluster. This initiative will not only strengthen our regional capabilities but also unlock new opportunities for innovation, skills development, and economic growth. By working together across sectors and borders, we can ensure our communities and businesses play a vital role in shaping the future of national security.”
Kata Escott, the UK’s Airbus Defence and Space Managing Director, said: "The WRDSC is a major step in ensuring the West of England region and Wales plays a globally significant role in the UK's defence and security sector. Collaboration across the sector is key for economic growth, innovation and our national security and we are excited to bring Airbus' world-leading defence and aerospace sites to the partnership."
The group's initial efforts will focus on engaging with the vibrant and dynamic defence sector across the region. Companies within the defence sector, as well as those with dual-use technologies (that have military and commercial applications), are invited to engage with the cluster to open up opportunities for growth through improved integration and collaboration. For more information, visit https://wrdsc.co.uk
More information regarding the WRDSC’s first official in-person event later this year. The date, agenda, and speakers will be announced in the coming months.