UK Government announces the funding of £200 million into R&D aerospace project

At the 2023 Paris Air Show the UK Government announced £218 million funding  to help develop cutting-edge green aviation technology and grow the UK’s share of the global aerospace market.

It was announced that £218 million combined government and industry funding is going in to create new green innovative landing equipment, and lower carbon and more efficient aircraft wings, engines and sensors.

The funding, being delivered through the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) Programme, is due to secure more high-skilled jobs and increase investment in aerospace technology across the UK.

The joint commitment with industry to invest in new aircraft and manufacturing technologies is set to help secure at least £20 billion of further private investment in aerospace in the UK and support over 100,000 jobs.

Nusrat Ghani, The Minister for Industry and Economic Security announced: “We want to achieve net zero air travel by 2050, and I want UK firms to lead the way in developing exciting technologies of the future. Backing our innovators will attract even more investment and create massive export opportunities for British firms.”

“This support has backed over 300 innovative R&D projects and supported thousands of high-wage, green jobs, 90 percent of which are outside of London and the South East.”

Backed by the Government, the ATI funds world-class R&D in the UK aerospace sector, and this funding builds on £3.2 billion of ATI support from government and industry for the sector since 2013.

This support has backed over 300 innovative R&D projects and supported thousands of high-wage, green jobs, 90 percent of which are outside of London and the South East.

The cash injection will support ten groundbreaking new projects led by world-renowned companies including Airbus and Rolls-Royce. They will be delivered alongside over 40 UK-based partners, helping to develop greener, lower carbon and more efficient aircraft equipment such as engines, landing gear, wings and sensors.

Alan Newby, Rolls-Royce Director Aerospace Technology and Future Programmes, said: "We greatly value the continued long-term partnership we have with both the Department for Business and Trade and the ATI, accelerating important research that improves our manufacturing processes and the performance of both our current and future products."

"These projects will improve both our cost competitiveness and the product performance of our current and future engines, which is vital for meeting industry and Government Net Zero targets. This work will involve collaboration with a broad ecosystem of academic, research centres and SME partners across the UK that creates value across the country and helps us to reach our goals."

Find out more here.