UK at risk of losing ground in aerospace, SBAC warns
“Significant extra investment” is required by the UK government and industry if the country is to retain its position as an aerospace powerhouse, the Socie

“Significant extra investment” is required by the UK government and industry if the country is to retain its position as an aerospace powerhouse, the Society of British Aerospace Companies warned just before the Paris Air Show opened. The SBAC has just released figures for 2008 that show sharp declines in both employment and research spending in the UK industry, but a significant shift toward export markets–particularly defense.

SBAC chief executive Ian Godden told reporters that a critical shortfall in research spending threatens to leave the UK flagging behind the U.S., Europe and other nations with ambitious plans in aerospace, both civil and military.