Manufacturing and Supply Chain
The Manufacturing & Supply Chain Working Group (MSC WG) plays a central role in strengthening the competitiveness, resilience, and global leadership of the UK aerospace manufacturing base.
It focuses on enabling sustainable growth across the supply chain, ensuring the sector is equipped to deliver world-class aerospace products and systems. Through collaboration between industry and government, the group supports improved productivity, stronger capability, and greater readiness for future demand.
Modern aerospace manufacturing is a critical enabler of next-generation aircraft. To remain globally competitive, the UK must continue to advance its manufacturing capability—delivering higher performance, lower costs, improved safety, and reduced environmental impact.
Key Focus Areas
The MSC Working Group focuses on four core areas:
1. Improving access and delivery of support
Enhancing how businesses access and engage with the wide range of UK aerospace support schemes. Building on AGP communications, Devolved Administration and Regional Aerospace Alliance engagement, and supply chain events, this includes improved digital signposting and more customer-focused delivery through initiatives such as the industry-led Supply Chain Solutions scheme. The focus is on simpler, faster, and more visible access to increase uptake and maximise impact.
2. Raising competitiveness, resilience and growth readiness
Preparing the UK supply chain to meet the demands of future aircraft programmes, including higher production rates, tighter cost and quality requirements, and increased resilience to disruption. Through programmes such as Supply Chain Solutions and Aero Excellence™, the group supports suppliers in scaling capability, improving performance, and strengthening long-term competitiveness in a challenging global environment.
3. Driving scale and resilience across the supply chain
Supporting the development of a more robust and scalable supply chain by exploring mechanisms such as consolidation, investment engagement, and collaborative models in key capability areas. Working with Primes and Tier 1s, the group helps enable clearer long-term demand signals and targeted capability development in areas such as tooling, materials, and high-rate manufacturing readiness.
4. Strengthening cost competitiveness and financial support
Addressing structural cost challenges and improving access to finance across the supply chain. This includes targeted action on energy costs, productivity improvements, and alignment with regional support, alongside strengthening financial mechanisms such as the Aerospace Supply Chain Debt Fund and engagement with the British Business Bank and National Wealth Fund. The aim is to ensure suppliers, particularly SMEs, can invest, scale, and compete effectively in capital-intensive aerospace markets.
Role of the Working Group
The MSC Working Group acts as a leadership and coordination forum, bringing together industry and government to:
- Identify barriers to manufacturing growth and competitiveness
- Support the development and scaling of advanced manufacturing technologies
- Strengthen supply chain resilience and capability across the UK
- Align industry activities with AGP strategic objectives
- Promote collaboration across regions, sectors, and supply chain tiers
Strategic Outcome
The Working Group’s goal is to ensure the UK aerospace sector has a strong, competitive, and future-ready manufacturing base—capable of supporting long-term growth and maintaining global leadership.
