Ministry of Defence procurement spending in NI rose by 20% in 2023

Most of the spending related to the NLAW missile system which is manufactured in Belfast and widely used by the Ukrainian Army

Ministry of Defence procurement spending in Northern Ireland increased by 20% last year to £190m.

The majority of the spending relates to the NLAW missile system which is manufactured in Belfast by Thales.

The NLAW, which is a shoulder-fired anti-tank weapon, has been widely used by the Ukrainian Army in the war with Russia.

In December 2022, Thales was awarded a £223m contract to increase the supply of NLAWs.

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Despite the increase Northern Ireland is still the region of the UK with the lowest defence procurement spending.

In the next lowest region, the north east of England, spending was £320m compared to more than £6bn in the south east.

The government's deal with the DUP to restore devolution in Northern Ireland includes a commitment to a review to 'develop proposals to ensure Northern Ireland is benefiting from investment in defence industries in the same way as the rest of the country.'

Defence spending in Northern Ireland is already expected to increase when work starts on a Royal Navy contract at the Harland and Wolff shipyard.