The UK Government is being urged to prioritize British manufacturing as it increases defence spending, ensuring that new military equipment is built domestically rather than sourced
from abroad.
On Wednesday, trade union Unite held a lobby in Parliament to push for the additional defence investment to directly benefit UK jobs. The union is specifically calling for a long-overdue decision to purchase UK-built Typhoon aircraft instead of US-made F35 fighter jets.
Call for action
Speaking at the event, Unite general secretary Sharon Graham emphasized the need for concrete steps to match government promises.
“While we welcome the increase in defence spending to 2.5% of GDP and the Prime Minister’s commitments to investment, growth, jobs, and skills, these must be backed by action,” she said.
“There is an immediate decision to be made regarding the replacement of ageing RAF fighter jets, and that choice should favor British-made Typhoons.”
Graham warned against outsourcing critical defence jobs to the US, particularly to gain favor with former President Donald Trump.
“Any attempt to appease Trump by purchasing American-made F35s at the expense of UK jobs will be strongly opposed. It would be an act of self-harm,” she stated.
“We cannot risk a scenario where Trump wakes up in a bad mood and suddenly restricts our access to our own fighter jets.”
She also pointed out that other partner nations involved in the Typhoon program are investing in additional jets for their own defence.
“How can we expect other countries to buy British Typhoons if we’re not buying them ourselves?” she questioned.
Unite continues to push for the Government to uphold its commitment to British industry, ensuring that increased defence spending directly supports UK jobs, skills, and long-term economic growth. Photo: SAC Daniel Herrick LBIPP/MOD, Wikimedia commons.