Manufacturers in Gloucestershire could be part of an uplift in the defence sector.

A new report by the Joint Economic Data Hub showed more than 10,000 organisations were paid directly by the MOD in 2020/21.

And the defence sector employed approximately 5,000 apprentices and an average of $4.6 billion was spent annually on defence exports between 2016 and 2020.

The report focused on the value the Ministry of Defence added to not only the UK but global economies in recent years.

Jeremy Quin, Minister for Defence Procurement, said: "The defence sector is driving prosperity, strengthening the economy, supporting jobs and building skills right across the UK."

Experts have said the sector could see an increase in trade in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The Independent reports the US and other western nations are already providing large sums to help Ukraine defend itself in the short term and it is likely an increased militarisation of Europe will follow.

Companies such as Raytheon Technologies have seen their share price increase by up to 15 per cent in the last six months. Raytheon UK, has a major cyber centre based in Gloucestershire. It is a landed* company that sits within the Raytheon Intelligence & Space business.

The Independent reports it and other giant arms makers have attended classified meetings with the Pentagon to assess "how they can benefit from the arming of Ukraine".

In Britain, the Ministry of Defence recently hosted a visit for Ukrainian officials and organised a trip to a military testing site at Salisbury Plain to see the Stormer missile in action.

William Hartung, an expert on the international arms trade, told The Independent these opportunities represent a "gold rush" for the industry.

Gloucestershire is home to a host of specialist companies including GE Aviation Systems in Bishops Cleeve, which is a world-leading provider of jet engines, components and integrated systems for commercial and military aircraft.

It recently announced plans to work with Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO), a governmental agency responsible for the development of industries in the state. The Financial Express reports the aerospace research and development centre will focus on emerging technologies.

Defence giant BAE Systems Applied Intelligence has a base on Gloucester Business Park and its clients include agencies for law enforcement, national security, central government and military and space.

Rolls-Royce has a site in Barnwood which is home to its Civil Nuclear UK department. One of the companies specialties is defence, as a market leader in aero engines for military transport and patrol aircraft with strong positions in combat and helicopter applications. It is the technical authority for through-life support of the nuclear power plant for the Royal Navy's submarine fleet.

Punchline says: "These companies provide a significant number of jobs to people in the local area and are involved in safeguarding the nation, whether that be through armaments or other security technologies."

*usually refers to an asset that generates income for the owner without the owner having to do the actual work of running it.