Defence-supported jobs in UK weapons and ammunition manufacturing rose 51% in the 2024/25 financial year, according to Ministry of Defence employment estimates reported on 20 August 2026. The government said the North West gained nearly 4,000 additional roles year-on-year and the South East more than 3,000.

The figures put UK defence at 462,000 roles across the Armed Forces, industry and the Civil Service, with a 26,000 year-on-year increase spanning direct manufacturing jobs and indirect supply-chain work. Separately, jobs tied to the manufacture of weapons, ammunition and military fighting vehicles rose by 2,000 to 5,900, the government said.

Ministers presented the numbers as part of efforts to rebuild domestic munitions production and defence readiness. The release also cited a previously announced £8.4 billion commitment to next-generation nuclear submarines, linked to 47,000 jobs and over 6,000 suppliers, and a Defence Investment Plan committing £298 billion over four years. These employment and spending figures are snapshots as of the source date.