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New figures published today by show that UK defence exports totalled £8.8 billion over the past year, a rise of 62% from 2011 in a global market that grew by 45%.

»Ê¹ÚÌåÓýappse results mean the UK maintains its position as the second most successful defence exporter after the United States. As in 2011, the UK continues to benefit from a strong defence supply chain, which contributed to the success in 2012.

Orders contributing to the strong results included and aircraft. »Ê¹ÚÌåÓýapp Typhoon programme alone supports an estimated 8,600 jobs in the UK, across companies including , and and their supply chains â€� with an estimated further 1,500 jobs dependent on export opportunities.

Philip Dunne, Minister for Defence, Equipment Support and Technology said:

This is welcome news for the UK Defence Industry, and demonstrates that they remain world leaders in an increasingly competitive global market place.

»Ê¹ÚÌåÓýapp Ministry of Defence has continued to play a key supporting role in the promotion of defence equipment and services, recognising that defence exports make a significant contribution to the government’s growth agenda.

»Ê¹ÚÌåÓýappse results also demonstrate the high regard in which our Armed Forces, and the equipment they use, are held by our allies and partner nations overseas.

»Ê¹ÚÌåÓýapp UK continues to capture 20% of the global defence export market. Maintaining this level and growing security exports to 5% by 2015 are the key targets for UKTI Defence & Security Organisation. Last year’s expansion in the defence sector was supported by UK export growth of 4% to £2.7 billion in the security sector, in a global market that grew by 3%.

Combined defence and security exports rose to £11.5 billion in 2012, up from £8 billion in 2011.

Business Minister Michael Fallon said:

Defence exports are helping to safeguard much needed high quality jobs in UK industry at a difficult time for the economy and these robust figures demonstrate Britain’s ability to successfully compete in the global race.

»Ê¹ÚÌåÓýapp UK government has pledged its support to the defence industry which has an outstanding record of export success. We have a proven ability to help UK exporters to win business overseas and achieve their international business potential.

»Ê¹ÚÌåÓýappse export results reflect the importance of the high technology sector and its contribution to advanced manufacturing trade. »Ê¹ÚÌåÓýapp UK’s defence industrial base is rich in innovation, largely thanks to the vital contribution of smaller firms.

»Ê¹ÚÌåÓýapp increase in the security sector reinforces a consistent picture of year on year growth in a highly competitive market. Growth is particularly strong in the cyber security sector which is critical to the UK’s national security.