UK must be ‘globally connected and secure’

The Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) recently published its ‘position paper, in which it highlights the new Government’s vital role in keeping the UK ‘globally connected and secure’ by maximising the value of UK aerospace and driving sustainability, air power and space, innovation, and upskilling today.

The position paper calls on the Government to modernise our aviation infrastructure with safe and secure, sustainable, and innovative technologies, saying that as we move towards 2025 and beyond, the UK’s focus on modernising its aerospace systems and infrastructure to support global mobility will require a collaborative effort. The paper also highlights the need to increase air power and space capability, noting that it is essential for the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) to move forward at pace, adding that space exploration and satellite technology are also of vital strategic importance for national security, global telecommunications, and Earth observation.

The paper also calls on the Government to accelerate regulatory frameworks for future flight technology, as doing so will be paramount in harnessing the potential of future flight technologies and ensuring that ‘the UK’s airspace remains safe, competitive, and conducive to innovation’.

global competitiveness
Furthermore, the RAeS says that investment in aerospace, aviation, and space remains vital for the UK’s economic growth and national security, and that the Government will need to sustain multi-year investment in industry to support the UK’s global competitiveness, while also stressing the importance developing future and existing talent.

“This will necessitate ensuring that vocational training and STEM is accessible to everyone, and includes expanding apprenticeship programmes, enhancing university/industry collaboration, and ensuring diversity and inclusion within the workforce through professional careers advice and support in schools.”

Setting out the Society’s priorities for the new Government, RAeS chief executive David Edwards said: “From the outset, the new Government should continue to invest in essential air power capability, enable the sustainable growth of aviation through research with alternative fuels, invest in new airport infrastructure and airspace modernisation, optimise the economic potential of future flight vehicles and satellite and space technology, and help maintain a steady flow of diverse talent in the industry.

“With the active support from and in partnership with the Government, the aerospace sector can help achieve these goals and assure the UK’s leading position in air connectivity, maintaining international competitiveness and keeping the country secure.”