The region-wide partnership brings together industry, academia, government and the Armed Forces to boost collaboration across the sector and support organisations of all sizes to innovate and grow.  

The West Midlands employs around 23,500 people in defence and security and has an annual Ministry of Defence (MOD) industry spend of £1.7bn.  

The West Midlands Regional Defence and Security Cluster (RDSC) was launched at a special event hosted at the UK Telecoms Lab (UKTL).  

UKTL is a cyber security and resilience lab based in the West Midlands responsible for bolstering the security of telecoms critical national infrastructure.  

The launch included key presentations from industry, MOD teams and Armed Forces representatives, demonstrating the defence and security opportunities available to West Midlands firms.   

The West Midlands RDSC will be delivered by the West Midlands Growth Company (WMGC) – the region’s official economic development organisation.  

The partnership includes local authorities, industry partners, including manufacturer NMS UK, the Ministry of Defence and key research institutions – including Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC), University of Birmingham and University of Warwick.  

It will support the delivery of the Midlands Defence and Security Blueprint and be connected to the Midlands Defence and Security Industry Council, translating the UK’s national defence strategies into a regional delivery plan.  

West Midlands mayor Richard Parker said: “This new cluster now brings together top talent from innovative businesses and world-class universities right across the region.  

“It’s a huge opportunity for those companies to grow and for young people to build careers in jobs critical to our economic success and our national security.”  

Bruce Hardie, Defence Industry partner at UK Defence Innovation (UKDI), MOD, said: “The West Midlands has a deep-rooted defence and security sector, with strengths spanning advanced manufacturing, cyber, autonomous systems, and engineering.  

“The West Midlands Regional Defence and Security Cluster builds on this foundation, connecting the region's businesses, universities, and public sector bodies to create a thriving innovation ecosystem that delivers real capability into the hands of UK Defence.  

“As an integral part of UK Defence Innovation outreach, the West Midlands RDSC helps regional SMEs and innovators navigate the defence and security market, access UKDI funding competitions, and develop the relationships and readiness needed to scale their solutions into long-term defence capability.”