Pictured left to right: James Kempston, CEO NP Aerospace, Mary Creagh, MP for Coventry East, David Petheram, managing director and SVP VSSSNP Aerospace, the global vehicle integrator and armour manufacturer, has formally opened a new 5.73-acre facility in Coventry, supporting UK job growth and global defence needs. The opening ceremony was conducted earlier this month, by Mary Creagh, MP for Coventry East and NP Aerospace’s leadership team and workforce.
The 80,000ft
2 indoor site and large outdoor space for military vehicle fleets, will enhance vehicle integration, armour production, and engineering capabilities — creating jobs and strengthening the UK supply chain. Facilities include vehicle assembly, fabrication, customer support and spares, engineering development, specialist equipment handling, machining and final finishing, and sustainable energy production. The new site is also situated close to NP Aerospace’s armour production site in Foleshill, the area of the city where the company was established as part of Courtaulds Group, nearly 100 years ago.
NP Aerospace is a trusted global supplier of defence-related products and services for UK MoD and global defence forces. With this new facility, NP Aerospace is in the ideal position to deliver greater capacity for UK-based assembly and integration of full or partial defence systems, including vehicles and armour, for military customers and vehicle OEM industry partners. It also demonstrates NP Aerospace’s investment in the development of people, skills, and engineering know-how, while supporting growth in domestic and export markets.
Strengthening the UK supply chainMary Creagh said: “It is a great pleasure to open NP Aerospace’s latest UK defence facility, here in the heart of Coventry. By opening this new site, NP Aerospace is expanding its export capabilities and strengthening the UK supply chain. The company already has a strong reputation in this city, in the industry, and internationally. In seeing this new facility for myself, I understand why.”
James Kempston, CEO of NP Aerospace, said: “This investment represents a major step forward for NP Aerospace, strengthening the foundations for our continued growth. As a key defence employer in the West Midlands, we remain committed to developing our people, advancing skills and know-how, and expanding our engineering capabilities — delivering lasting benefits to both the region and the wider UK economy.”
He concluded: “For our international customers, this new facility will serve as a central hub to support the continued delivery of our vehicle and armour export programmes, following the acquisition and contract novation activities completed in 2024. For the UK MoD, it enhances our ability to deliver on major programmes, including protected mobility and conventional vehicle fleet contracts such as PMETS and CVSSP, while also reinforcing vital onshore defence capabilities well into the future.”