Welcome to the North East
Regional Defence and Security Cluster.
Driving opportunity and innovation for North East SMEs.
The North East is home to a fast-growing, strategically vital Defence and Security ecosystem.
The North East Regional Defence & Security Cluster (NERDSC) brings together industry, academia and government to encourage collaboration, innovation and business growth across the defence and security sector.
The North East of England has a proud and enduring relationship with defence and security. Once a powerhouse of design and manufacturing for naval and land applications, the region has leveraged its legacy of engineering excellence and is now a hub of defence and security innovation with considerable resilience and connectivity.
Why the North East?
The North East is home to a strong defence and engineering community with expertise across manufacturing, precision engineering, digital technologies, autonomy and advanced systems.
Supported by a connected supply chain and proven UK and international delivery capability, the region is well positioned to support the UK's evolving defence and security priorities while driving future innovation and economic growth.
The North East Mayoral Strategic Authority and Tees Valley Combined Authority have pinpointed Advanced Manufacturing and Space, Defence and Security in their local growth plans
North East Growth Plan: https://www.northeast-ca.gov.uk/local-growth-plan
Tees Valley Growth Plan: https://teesvalley-ca.gov.uk/about/local-growth-plan/
Why it matters?
The North East has a long-standing relationship with defence and security, underpinned by world-class engineering, manufacturing and innovation capabilities.
Today, the region continues to play an important role in supporting national security through expertise in:
- Advanced manufacturing
- Precision engineering
- Digital technologies
- Autonomous systems
- Defence supply chains
- Dual-use technologies
NERDSC works to ensure these strengths are recognised, connected and developed for future growth.
Join the North East Defence Ecosystem
NERDSC provides access to a connected, capable and forward-looking defence ecosystem.
Members benefit from:
- Access to defence opportunities and funding.
- Opportunities to connect with UK MOD, primes and key industry stakeholders.
- Inclusion in a collaborative cross-sector ecosystem.
- Increased visibility across the defence and security community.
- Access to networking, events and capability showcases.
There is currently no fee to join NERDSC.