Lancashire heads to Farnborough to strengthen aerospace and defence partnerships

Lancashire will head to this year's Farnborough International Airshow to meet businesses from across the global aerospace and defence sector and promote the county as a place to invest, collaborate and grow.

Attending as part of the North West Regional Defence and Security Cluster delegation, hosted on the BAE Systems stand, Lancashire will use the event to strengthen relationships with manufacturers, technology companies, SMEs, investors and research organisations looking at future opportunities in the UK.

For Lancashire, Farnborough is an opportunity to demonstrate how the county is building on its established strengths in aerospace, defence and advanced manufacturing through continued investment in skills, innovation and business infrastructure.

One example is the Samlesbury Innovation Hub, which recently secured planning approval.

The £13.2 million development will provide up to 30,000 sq ft of flexible commercial space where businesses, universities and researchers can work together on new technologies, products and commercial opportunities. Located at the Samlesbury Enterprise Zone, the Hub is intended to support companies working across aerospace, defence, engineering, advanced manufacturing, cyber and emerging technologies.

The latest CGI images of the Innovation Hub will be unveiled during the airshow, giving industry visitors an updated view of the project as it moves towards delivery.

The Innovation Hub is one of a number of investments supporting the ambitions set out in the Lancashire Growth Plan, which identifies National Security and Resilience as a strategic priority for economic growth. Together with Lancashire's established industrial base, research capability and skilled workforce, these investments are designed to support innovation, strengthen supply chains and create the conditions for long-term business growth.

Simon Lawrence, Director of Growth and Property at Lancashire County Council, said:

"We're going to Farnborough because it's where many of the conversations about the future of aerospace, defence and cyber resilience take place.

"Lancashire already has many of the businesses, skills and industrial strengths the sector depends on, including growing capability in cyber. Our focus is on building on those foundations and making sure businesses have the environment they need to invest, innovate and grow.

"Planning approval for the Samlesbury Innovation Hub is an important milestone because it gives us another practical example of that investment.

"We're looking forward to meeting companies from around the world and talking about how Lancashire can support their ambitions."

Prof Andrew Schofield, Chair, North West Regional Defence and Security Cluster, said:

"The North West has built one of the UK's most significant defence and security ecosystems through long-term collaboration between industry, government, universities and innovative SMEs.

"Businesses choose locations where they can access customers, suppliers, skills, research expertise and opportunities to collaborate. That's what makes strong regional clusters so important.

"Farnborough provides an opportunity to demonstrate the breadth of capability that exists across Lancashire and the wider North West, while building relationships that support future investment, innovation and growth across the defence and security sector."

Ian Barton, Head of Enterprise and Entrepreneurship, BAE Systems said:

"The Samlesbury Enterprise Zone is a natural extension of our Samlesbury site, which has delivered high-value manufacturing in aerospace and defence for decades. The Innovation Hub builds on that heritage, bringing new companies and organisations together to collaborate alongside established industry.

"This is a really positive development, expanding the value of the site and the skills we rely on to maintain our world class reputation in manufacturing, here in Lancashire."

• Lancashire will attend Farnborough International Airshow 2026 (20-24 July) as part of the North West Regional Defence and Security Cluster delegation, hosted on the BAE Systems stand.
• Planning approval has been secured for the £13.2 million Samlesbury Innovation Hub under the Samlesbury Enterprise Zone Local Development Order.
• Planning reference: D7/2026/00320/LDO.
• The Innovation Hub will provide up to 30,000 sq ft of flexible commercial space for businesses operating across aerospace, defence, advanced manufacturing, engineering, cyber and technology.
• The latest CGI images of the project will be unveiled during Farnborough International Airshow. The concepts are illustrative and remain subject to further design development.