The UK’s new Investment Minister Jason Stockwood used one of the world’s largest defense exhibitions to signal Britain’s ambitions in the global defense and space race.
During the DSEI 2025 show in London, Stockwood held talks with South Korea’s Hanwha Group and U.S. defense giant Lockheed Martin, marking his first publicly known engagement with the defense industry since taking office.
The discussions brought together Stockwood and Hanwha Vice Chairman Kim Dong-kwan, with Lockheed Martin representatives also at the table.
The minister highlighted Britain’s industrial ecosystem and advanced manufacturing capabilities while exploring opportunities for collaboration with Hanwha in defense and space.
He stressed the importance of strengthening partnerships and supporting companies to drive future growth.
“Defense is a core government priority and an important growth driver for the UK’s modern industrial strategy,” Stockwood said after the meeting.
“We will maximize UK jobs, growth, and technological innovation through defense investment, and drive growth through partnerships with industry and companies.”
His debut with major defense executives comes as Britain looks outward for strategic partners to bolster its defense and space sectors.
Earlier this year, the UK unveiled its Defence Industrial Strategy, pledging $1.04 billion over the next three years to fuel the defense sector as a new engine of economic growth.
The plan includes long-term increases in defense spending and a goal of attracting nearly $1.9 billion in foreign direct investment, alongside programs to expand opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises.
Although details of the London talks remain under wraps, Stockwood’s role as investment chief suggests discussions went beyond weapons sales to areas such as joint production, localization, and technology sharing.
The UK has explicitly designated defense and space as national growth pillars and is actively promoting public-private partnerships to sustain them.
For Hanwha, the meeting highlights its growing stature as a global supplier. The company’s flagship systems — including the K9 self-propelled howitzer and the Chunmoo multiple rocket launcher — are already in service with several NATO members.
Hanwha has also built localization track records in Poland, Romania, and Australia, stabilizing supply chains and contributing to local industrial ecosystems.
At DSEI 2025, three Hanwha subsidiaries — Hanwha Aerospace, Hanwha Systems, and Hanwha Ocean — showcased a broad portfolio tailored for European battlefields.
The display emphasized interoperability with NATO standards, precision-strike capabilities brought into sharper focus by the war in Ukraine, and reliable ammunition supply lines.
The London meeting not only put Hanwha on center stage but also signaled Britain’s intent to position itself as a key player in defense innovation and international cooperation.
With Stockwood making defense his first high-profile portfolio engagement, it’s clear that London is looking to turn strategic partnerships into economic growth and global influence.
