Investment

The industry in Scotland has particular strengths in:

  • Defensive systems
  • Optical and optoelectronic engineering
  • Laser, radar and remote sensing
  • Photonics
  • Software development
  • Flight control systems
  • Missiles and weapons
  • Microwave and radio frequency systems

Avionics infrastructure

The Scottish aerospace industry comprises of some of the world’s largest aerospace companies. It is also home to smaller, home-grown service providers and spin-outs from some of the country’s world-class academic institutions.

Excellent public/private partnerships exist to help promote company growth, and avionics companies located here can also tap into the strengths of Scotland’s leading university research base.

Many global aerospace companies have facilities in here – Scotland’s world-class R&D stimulates investment.

Why Scotland? 

The benefits of locating in Scotland include:

  • A skilled workforce, mature infrastructure and extremely competitive running costs
  • An uninterrupted programme of cutting-edge research in many aligned fields
  • World-class premises available at purpose-built facilities such as Prestwick International Aerospace Park and Inverness Airport Business Park
  • Universities world-renowned for research and innovation, with departments working in specialist areas related to aerospace
  • A high level of specialised expertise amongst the workforce at all levels
  • Over 24 million passengers passed through Scottish airports in 2008, and that number continues to rise

R&D in the aerospace industry in Scotland

Scotland’s universities carry out groundbreaking aerospace and defence-related R&D as well as producing a high number of engineering graduates. Scotland is an established base of design engineering therefore the country offers a comprehensive aerospace supply chain.

There is a commitment to skills development, with over 500 apprentices - 20 percent of the UK total - working within the defence and aerospace industries in Scotland. 

Scotland’s quality workforce

A recent skills gap analysis identified no significant skills gaps in Scotland. The aerospace workforce in Scotland is one of the best-trained, most reliable and cost-competitive in the world.

Scottish workers are renowned for their innovation and adaptability at all levels from the engineering lab to the workbench. Consequently, avionics companies who choose to locate in Scotland can take advantage of a high level of specialist expertise.