Defence and Marine Sector

The Defence sector within the North-East remains a significant contributor to the regional economy, with around 4000 jobs within the region directly connected to defence activity.

The Defence sector within the region is closely supported by Northern Defence Industries (NDI) – a not-for-profit organisation representing the industry across the North East and Yorkshire.

The aims of the sector are to:

• Generate profitable growth through supply chain collaboration
• Provide focused business support
• Promote the regional capability
• Provide a management service reflecting the strategic importance of the sector in the North East

Major players who are part of this sector in the North East include:

• BAE – Land Systems
• Joyce Loebl
• Domnick Hunter

The new £2.3 million Marine Design Centre (www.marinedesigncentre.com) in Newcastle Upon Tyne will also help boost growth in this sector. It will become a recognised international centre for marine design skills and will help bring major contracts to the region's defence and marine businesses.