The UK government has launched a £50 million Defence Growth Deal for Northern Ireland, completing the fifth and final regional package under the Defence Industrial Strategy and opening a dedicated route for local start-ups and small suppliers into the UK defence supply chain. The announcement, made on 22 April 2026 by Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry Luke Pollard alongside Northern Ireland Office Minister Matthew Patrick, was delivered at Belfast Met College with representatives of local industry and research academia. The investment is designed to grow the regional defence ecosystem, raise competitiveness, and create skilled jobs across Northern Ireland, which…
