West Midlands Launches Defence and Security Cluster to Enhance UK Capability
A new Regional Defence and Security Cluster (RDSC) has been launched in the West Midlands, aiming to strengthen collaboration across the UK defence sector. This initiative brings together industry, academia, government, and the Armed Forces to support innovation-led growth. The cluster, delivered by the West Midlands Growth Company, seeks to align local defence capabilities with national demand amid rising capability requirements and rapid technological changes. The West Midlands, a significant defence and security hub, employs around 23,500 people and receives £1.7 billion in annual Ministry of Defence spending. The cluster was launched at the UK Telecoms Lab, a facility focused on cyber security and resilience. Key partners include NMS UK, the Manufacturing Technology Centre, and the universities of Birmingham and Warwick. 
