Annual revenue for the aerospace, defence security and space sectors in Northern Ireland doubled to £2.2 billion in 2023, according to industry body ADS.
And it exceeds the target set by the NI Partnering for Growth Strategy in 2014 to double the size of the sectors from £1bn to £2bn over 10 years.
The ADS report - released at an Invest NI-hosted reception at the Farnborough International Air Show, further found that the aerospace, defence security and space sectors provide £900 million in additional value for the north’s economy, highlighting their potential to be a key driver of future economic growth in the region,
These sectors also create 9,000 direct jobs in Northern Ireland, including more than 500 apprentices.
The report also estimates the output per worker of these four sectors in Northern Ireland is £100,000, which is 59% more than average productivity across the UK economy.
Leslie Orr, director of ADS Northern Ireland, said: “We are delighted to have achieved and succeeded the highly ambitious target set by the Northern Ireland Partnering for Growth Strategy all those years ago, and that our sectors are thriving in Northern Ireland more broadly.
“These high technology, high value sectors make a massive long-term contribution to Northern Ireland. This contribution comes in the jobs they create, the investments they make, and much more.
“Data like this affirms my belief that the best days for our sectors in Northern Ireland are ahead of us, not behind us, and I look forward to the growth and prosperity the next decade will bring.”
Invest NI chief executive Kieran Donoghue said: “Exceeding the ambitious target set by the Partnering for Growth Strategy is a significant milestone that underscores the importance of our aerospace, defence, security and space sectors and the significant economic benefits they bring to Northern Ireland.
“The success we celebrate today also highlights the strong and effective partnership between ADS and Invest NI, which has been instrumental in driving this growth.
“This achievement is not just about hitting targets; it is also about securing a prosperous future for Northern Ireland.
“I’m confident that the collaborative spirit and commitment to engineering excellence, for which these sectors are globally renowned, will continue to drive us forward and foster even greater growth and innovation in the years ahead.”
