8주차｜안보·국방·지정학 + 문화·미디어_정유리

[정유리]

Minister Pollard speech at ADS Annual Dinner 2026

Speaker: Ministry of Defence and Luke Pollard MP

Date: 27 January 2026

Words: 436

https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/minister-pollard-speech-at-ads-annual-dinner-2026

Glossary

1 land a scoop (저널리즘) 특종을 잡다, 단독 보도를 따내다

2 House of Commons (영국) 하원

3 torchbearer 횃불을 드는 사람, 앞장서 이끄는 사람

4 facts and figures report 통계 보고서

5 braid 장식(용 수술)

Script

Looking around the room, I know we have companies here in close competition for defence contracts.

We have innovators racing each other to launch new technologies onto the market.

We have defence correspondents looking to land a scoop ahead of their rivals.

And we have Members of Parliament from across the political divide who usually stare each other out on opposite sides of the House of Commons.

But it’s nights like tonight when we’re reminded of the bonds that unite everyone in this remarkable industry, facing a new era of threats.

The shared principles and convictions of a great many people, working collectively across a vast array of businesses and organisations with a clear and common objective.

To strengthen Britain’s security at a time when the world is growing increasingly polarised and dangerous.

So I want to start this evening by thanking every one of you for what you do.

You’re not just leaders within this sector.

You’re torchbearers for defence within wider society.

And collectively, you’re one of the fastest developing industries within our economy.

A quick glance at a recent industry facts and figures report for 2025 tells us that the entire sector now has a combined turnover of £100 billion, adding £42 billion of value to the UK economy each year and representing growth of almost two-thirds over the past decade.

You are part of a defence industry that directly supports over 460,000 highly skilled and well-paid jobs, highlighting the importance of this thriving sector.

It has been proved that defence is an engine for growth, and the Ministry of Defence’s own facts and figures tell the same story.

We hope to increase those numbers even further, to demonstrate this to the public.

But the future is more unpredictable than at any time in recent memory.

The Ukraine war is about to enter its fifth year.

Putin is threatening Europe’s borders.

And the UK is facing cyber attacks on a daily basis.

Indeed, based on average statistics, approximately 20 cyber attacks have taken place against UK defence – and 50,000 new cyber threats have been identified in the UK.

So everyone in defence needs to step up to get our Armed Forces to warfighting readiness.

I’m proud to be part of a Ministerial team.

But it’s not just those wearing lots of gold braid I’m honoured to work alongside.

It’s all our servicemen and women, and our veterans.

The people working to support them, from logistics, health and recruitment to cooks and cleaners and of course, the supply chain across the country.

Our military is only as strong as the industry that supports it.