Aerospace and defence among regional strengths to be showcased at Farnborough
The East of England is being positioned as one of the most strategically significant parts of the country for aerospace and defence as it sets out its investment stall at Farnborough International Airshow (FIA).
A major RAF/MOD footprint and UK-leading industry clusters mean Norfolk and Suffolk can deliver rapid advanced technology development and deployment, as well as high productivity and scaled-up manufacturing.
And with the UK Government having committed an extra £298bn for defence investment by 2030, our region is perfectly placed to profit from market transformation and growth.
For the first time, five regional organisations - Norfolk & Suffolk Unlimited, Connected Innovation, Space East, NAAME (New Anglia Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering) and East Regional Defence & Security Cluster (EastRDSC) - will present a unified proposition at FIA which runs from 20-24 July.
Backed by the Ministry of Defence and DASA, EastRDSC accelerates collaboration between SMEs, academia and industry to deliver sovereign defence innovation. The region's ecosystem is anchored by RAF Marham, home of the UK's F-35B Lightning II fleet and supported by a deep supply chain of defence-capable businesses.
You can read the full story here: Aerospace and defence among regional strengths to be showcased at Farnborough
Published: 21 July 2026
