Recommendation 1

Scotland remains central to the UK’s defence sector at a time when maintaining a resilient industrial base is more critical than ever. The context of increased defence spending presents a significant opportunity for Scotland. Meeting rising demand for defence capability, particularly in shipbuilding, aerospace and advanced technologies, offers the prospect of expanding the number of highly skilled, well-paid jobs in Scotland, and delivering supply chain growth for defence businesses across Scotland. Realising that opportunity demands long term investment that supports demand, skills and innovation across the supply chain. In contrast, inconsistent funding and stop-start procurement weaken sovereign capability, workforce retention and the longer-term value that the Scottish defence sector can provide. (Conclusion, Paragraph 28)