The UK’s defence industry recorded its best export performance in five years during 2004, selling equipment worth $8.2 billion on the international market. Marking an increase of around $400 million over a 2003 total of $7.8 billion, the rise saw UK industry achieve a share of around 20% of the $40 billion global defence exports business, second only to a US share of 30-35%, worth around $13 billion.
Released during the show by UK minister for defence procurement Lord Drayson, the Defence Export Services Organisation (DESO)-complied figures comprised a UK share in the airborne sector worth around 75%, with land systems sales worth 15% and naval business totalling 10%. Future growth is expected to reduce the air sector’s current dominance, according to DESO projections.
Last year’s performance included completion of a deal to supply the Indian air force with 66 BAE Systems Hawk 132Y advanced jet trainers, plus an agreement to sell spare capacity on the Skynet communications satellites to NATO.
Source: Flight International
