The Ministry of Defence will launch the Northern Ireland Defence Growth Deal in Spring 2026. The Deal will combine defence and wider government investment to support companies across a number of sub-sectors that are key for defence and align with Defence’s strategic priorities. The Deal will harness NI’s defence and dual-use strengths, driving innovation and increasing competitiveness – in line with the Defence Industrial Strategy.

AUKUS is a landmark security and defence partnership with two of our closest allies. It is one of the most strategically important partnerships in decades, supporting peace and security in the Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic, while also delivering jobs and economic growth in communities across all three nations.

AUKUS benefits the entire UK, including Northern Ireland, by strengthening our defence industry, generating thousands of new jobs. We expect over 21,000 people to be working on SSN-AUKUS programmes at its peak, both in UK shipyards and across the supply chain.

The commitments made in the Strategic Defence Review will only serve to enhance AUKUS and continue to contribute to jobs creation and economic growth.

Navantia’s purchase of Harland and Wolff is a significant investment into the UK’s industrial base and demonstrates Navantia UK’s (NUK) continuing commitment to the UK. This investment will further strengthen UK capability, modernising the shipbuilding facilities in Belfast and leading to increased productivity and capacity.

NUK’s delivery of the Fleet Solid Support contract and the provisions within are delivering against key aspects of the National Shipbuilding Strategy, including greater UK content and build, inward investment, engagement with SMEs and shipyard recapitalisation.

The National Shipbuilding Office is committed to working with the whole shipbuilding industry, including NUK, in supporting jobs and sustaining and growing our shipbuilding sector across the UK.

The successful delivery of the Fleet Solid Support (FSS) ship programme remains a priority. Ministry of Defence Ministers and officials have regular meetings with Navantia UK as prime contractor, on a range of matters, including extensive engagement to understand what steps the company is taking to ensure delivery of the FSS contract and management of its supply chain.

Harland and Wolff is a subcontractor to Navantia UK and following a review of their financial situation, the Government is clear that the market is best placed to address the challenges the company is facing. We continue to work extensively with all parties to find an outcome for the company that continues to deliver shipbuilding and manufacturing in the UK.

A small number of operations have already been considered and confirmed as eligible for the Wider Service Medal. Work is ongoing to consider the eligibility of a large number of other operations, which is likely to include operational activity in Northern Ireland. This is expected to be completed by autumn 2024 when the details of all operations that have been approved for the medal will be published.