UK defence firms bleeding cash' as delayed spending plan leaves industry in paralysis'

"The ecosystem is not in a great place, it's what I would call paralysis, said Samira Braund, defence director of the ADS Group trade body."

"The inevitable consequence of that little 30-person company going bust is that the company that is procuring those blades will almost inevitably say: Actually, it's a bit easier just to do it in the [United] States."

"Smaller companies were desperately trying to hang on to their people and keep their factories alive. The trouble for them is they're just bleeding cash."

"The DIP will show how the government plans to fund its strategic defence review, the blueprint for transforming the military amid growing threats from Russia."

Defence manufacturers in the UK are struggling due to a prolonged delay in the defence investment plan (DIP), which has been postponed for over six months. This delay has resulted in significant financial strain, with some companies going out of business and others unable to operate effectively. The military faces a £28 billion funding gap over the next four years, prompting calls for clarity from industry leaders. Smaller firms are particularly affected, with many bleeding cash and unable to sustain operations amid uncertainty.

Read at www.theguardian.com