UK defence spending and contract wins are fuelling demand for experienced, security-cleared talent. Learn how Scantec supports defence recruitment.
The UK Defence Sector Is Driving Demand for Experienced Talent
The UK defence sector is entering a period of unprecedented growth. With the government committing to raise defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, and major programmes such as SSN-AUKUS submarines and advanced AI partnerships underway, the need for skilled defence professionals has never been greater.
At the heart of this expansion lies one major challenge: sourcing and retaining experienced, security-cleared talent. This is where Scantec, a leading UK defence recruitment specialist, plays a crucial role.
Government Defence Spending Fuels Job Growth
Defence recruitment is being reshaped by historic levels of government investment:
- £11 billion increase in defence budgets announced in 2025.
- Major investments in submarine-building and advanced naval capability.
- Up to £1.5 billion in new AI and data contracts.
- Above-inflation growth in UK defence industry spend, reaching £31.7 billion in 2024/25.
These investments create opportunities for engineers, project managers, skilled tradespeople, scientists, IT specialists, and technical experts who can support critical defence programmes.
Why Defence Organisations Need Experienced Talent
While funding and contracts grow, the greatest bottleneck is talent. Defence organisations are struggling to find people with the right mix of skills, experience, and security clearances. Key challenges include:
- Security clearance requirements: SC and DV-cleared staff are in short supply.
- Specialist domain knowledge: Defence jobs often involve complex weapons systems, nuclear, cyber and aerospace technologies.
- Retention pressures: Competition from adjacent industries makes keeping top talent difficult.
- Complex supply chains: SMEs and subcontractors often lack in-house recruitment capability.
This means the demand for specialist defence recruitment agencies continues to grow.
Scantec: Proven Expertise in UK Defence Recruitment
At Scantec, we have been supporting the UK defence sector for more than 30 years. Our dedicated consultants understand the requirements of working in secure, regulated environments.
- Track record: From nuclear defence to shipbuilding and aerospace projects, Scantec has supplied highly skilled contractors and permanent staff.
- Security-aware recruitment: We are experienced in sourcing and mobilising cleared professionals across engineering, technical, project controls and scientific roles.
- Trusted partner: Our history includes long-term contracts with major defence organisations.
- Specialist focus: We cover engineering, trades, project services, quality, HSE, and scientific roles tailored to the defence environment.
This depth of experience allows us to deliver reliable, compliant and fast solutions to defence hiring challenges.
Defence Jobs: The Outlook for 2025 and Beyond
As the UK continues to invest heavily in defence, defence jobs will increase in both scale and complexity. From cyber defence to nuclear, from project management to skilled trades, demand for experienced professionals will rise across the board.
Partnering with a recruitment specialist such as Scantec ensures organisations can access the right talent, at the right time — reducing project risk and enabling delivery on critical defence programmes.
Work With Scantec
If your organisation is winning defence contracts or preparing for upcoming programmes, now is the time to strengthen your talent pipeline.
At Scantec, we connect organisations with security-cleared, experienced professionals who are ready to contribute to the UK’s most critical defence projects.
Contact Scantec today to discuss your defence recruitment needs and learn how we can help you deliver on your commitments.
