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£50 Million Defence Deal Launched, Sparks NI Political Rift

4/23/2026

25 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Pollard launches deal

Defence Minister Luke Pollard and Northern Ireland Office minister Matthew Patrick launched a £50 million Defence Growth Deal.
The deal will fund skills, apprenticeships and enable local defence SMEs to work on three new Royal Navy support ships.
First Minister Michelle O’Neill said the £50 million could be spent better, criticised it and missed the launch.
DUP leader Gavin Robinson called the investment a hugely significant boost for the region.

Summary

Region Increases Spending

The region recorded the second-lowest defence procurement, £271 million in 2024 versus £8 billion in the south-east.
Procurement rose from under £100 million in 2020 after NLAW anti-tank missiles for Ukraine were built at Thales Belfast.
Funding will create a Secure Innovation Hub for R&D and a skills programme linking industry with colleges.
Plan sets target for defence spending to reach 2.6 % of GDP from 2027, biggest rise since Cold War.

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Pollard launches deal

Defence Minister Luke Pollard and Northern Ireland Office minister Matthew Patrick launched a £50 million Defence Growth Deal.
The deal will fund skills, apprenticeships and enable local defence SMEs to work on three new Royal Navy support ships.
First Minister Michelle O’Neill said the £50 million could be spent better, criticised it and missed the launch.
DUP leader Gavin Robinson called the investment a hugely significant boost for the region.

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