DITHERING UK SHUNNED OVER DEFENCED DEALS

Dire warning as weapons firms rearm countries across Europe

- CONOR WILSON

DRONE manufacturers are shunning the UK due to government dithering.

The founders of UK and European firms told this newspaper they have diverted resources to other markets due to a lack of demand and urgency at the Ministry of Defence.

Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge, left, said: “The dire impact Labour’s dither and delay is having on our defence industry is plain to see.”

Ministers had vowed to release the Defence Investment Plan by last autumn after the Strategic Defence Review made 62 recommendations to transform defence over the next decade. But the delay in outlining how this transformation will be funded has seen manufacturers focus their efforts on other nations where orders are more forthcoming as much of Europe rapidly scales up its procurement of vital equipment such as drones.One founder of a medium drone enterprise, speaking on condition of anonymity to protect commercial relationships, told the Sunday Express: "When we started, the UK was one of our two prime target markets.

“After two decades in the sector it became apparent we'd overestimated the appetite in Britain. The impact is that we’re now focused on other markets, particularly Scandinavia and Germany, and they will be our priority over the coming years. I am not alone in saying this.”