The UK’s Defence Nuclear Enterprise: Driving Growth, Security and Innovation

The UK’s Defence Nuclear Enterprise (DNE) is more than a cornerstone of national security- it is a powerful engine driving economic growth, skills development and technological innovation. By investing in people, businesses and cutting‑edge research, the DNE is transforming communities and strengthening the UK’s industrial and scientific base for generations to come.

Powering Jobs and Prosperity Across the UK

The DNE currently supports 47,600 jobs across the UK, with the workforce expected to grow to 65,000 by 2030. Its impact stretches nationwide, sustaining over 6,000 companies throughout the defence nuclear supply chain; many of them being small and medium‑sized businesses that are vital to regional economies.

Investment in future talent is central to this success. By 2035, the DNE aims to deliver 22,000 apprenticeships and create 9,000 graduate roles, ensuring a steady pipeline of highly skilled professionals ready to meet the UK’s future defence and engineering needs.

Building Skills for the Future

AWE Nuclear Security Technologies (AWE) is at the heart of skills development in the DNE, with our award‑winning apprenticeship programme being one of the largest and most respected in the defence nuclear sector. Alongside this, AWE operates one of the biggest graduate engineering programmes in the country, providing young people with exceptional opportunities to develop specialist knowledge and build long‑term careers at the forefront of science and technology.

Through these programmes, AWE is helping to secure the expertise required for the UK’s nuclear future while creating life‑changing opportunities for individuals across the country.

Transforming Infrastructure: The Future Materials Campus

AWE’s multi‑billion‑pound infrastructure transformation programme is reshaping the UK’s scientific and engineering landscape. Central to this investment is the Future Materials Campus (FMC); a once‑in‑a‑generation opportunity to create a world‑class centre of excellence.

The FMC will renew and enhance facilities for the manufacture of nuclear components, storage of nuclear materials, provide improved science and analysis capabilities and invest in new capabilities for nuclear material recovery. This investment will generate significant opportunities across the industrial base, creating jobs and developing critical UK capabilities across construction, science and engineering. It will ensure the UK remains a world leader in new nuclear technologies.

Collaboration with World‑Leading Universities

Innovation within the DNE is underpinned by strong academic partnerships. AWE has established seven strategic partnerships with universities across the UK, each providing world‑leading technical and research expertise in areas critical to the development and delivery of DNE programmes.

AWE has also committed to establishing five new Centres of Excellence, delivering collaborative research and development across:

• Scientific computing
• Future systems and materials technology
• Quantum computing and sensing
• Actinides research
• Nuclear data

These centres will drive innovation while strengthening the UK’s research ecosystem.

Pushing the Boundaries of Science

AWE is home to the Orion Laser Facility, one of the most powerful lasers in the world. Orion allows scientists to study high‑energy density physics, replicating conditions found at the centre of the sun and even simulating supernovas- all within a laboratory environment. This capability plays a critical role in advancing understanding of nuclear warhead science.

In addition, AWE’s partnership with Space Park Leicester and the University of Leicester focuses on advanced manufacturing, environmental testing and analysis. Major areas of joint research include determining a deeper understanding of radiation modelling, exploring the dynamics of laser-plasma interactions using AWE’s Orion laser facility, and developing transferable skills from the satellite and space domain.

A National Endeavour

From job creation and skills development to ground-breaking science and industrial investment, the UK’s Defence Nuclear Enterprise is delivering security and growth throughout the UK. It truly is a national endeavour- supporting communities, advancing technology and securing the nation’s future.