Local MP Alan Mak has shown his support for the defence sector in the Havant Constituency at a major industry exhibition.
DSEI, the world’s largest gathering of the defence and security community, acts as a forum that connects governments, national armed forces, industry leaders and SMEs in the supply chain.
It also allows companies to showcase cutting edge technology and is held biennially at ExCel in east London.
The defence sector supports more than 200,000 British jobs directly and indirectly, plus tens of thousands of apprentices learning skills for the future.
It is an important part of the Havant Constituency’s economy and the whole Solent region, employing thousands of local people in a wide variety of roles and making a big contribution to the local economy.
Mr Mak toured DSEI 2023 and met with leaders from Lockheed Martin, the world's biggest aerospace company which employs more than 450 people at its UK Rotary and Missions Systems (RMS) base at the Langstone Technology Park in Havant.
He talked to group managing director of RMS Emlyn Taylor and Paul Livingston, chief executive of Lockheed Martin UK, about new products, technological developments and the importance of attracting and developing young talent with its Early Careers programme.
In addition Mr Mak met members of the British Army and the Royal Navy and talked to representatives from global defence, aerospace and security company BAE Systems, a major employer in the Portsmouth area.
He also met senior figures from QinetiQ, the Ministry of Defence contractor based on Portsdown Hill which tests and implements maritime systems.
Mr Mak said: “Our area plays a very important role in supplying the latest technology and equipment used by our Armed Forces around the world.
“I am proud of the work of local residents working in the defence sector in the Havant Constituency and the wider region. I look forward to defence companies continuing to invest in and support such a talented and committed workforce.”
