Aerospace & Defence Companies in Reading: 43 Active Firms (2026)
Aerospace and defence companies design, manufacture and support aircraft systems, defence equipment and dual-use technologies around Reading.
Buying centres around Reading tend to sit with engineering, programme, compliance and procurement teams rather than a standalone technology buyer. Suppliers in this pool sell components, certification support, systems engineering, maintenance capability and dual-use technical services into civil aviation, defence, security and space supply chains. The better fit is mid-market, contract-led B2B work: prime-contractor supply, specialist engineering packages, exportable subsystems and support agreements where traceability, quality assurance and documentation matter as much as unit cost. Engagements are usually longer-cycle and bid-led, with procurement shaped by qualification status, controlled-good classifications and the customer’s route into UK and overseas programmes.
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Reading has 43 actively trading aerospace and defence companies, a compact local cohort rather than a broad manufacturing cluster. Reported headcount across the group totals 532 employees, which points to a supplier base dominated by small engineering teams and a smaller set of mid-market operators. The local market therefore looks more like a set of specialist suppliers embedded in national supply chains than a self-contained aerospace manufacturing base. For researchers, the useful distinction is between firms with recurring engineering or support roles and earlier-stage entities still proving contract access.
Civil aviation work around Reading sits within UK Civil Aviation Authority safety and certification expectations. The CAA now has greater rulemaking and certification authority, making alignment with EASA and closer FAA cooperation relevant where suppliers need wider market access. Defence and dual-use exports add a separate control layer: exporters must check the consolidated list and seek licences from the Export Control Joint Unit where controlled items, end-use concerns or sanctions are in scope. The legal risk is practical rather than abstract, since exporting controlled items without the correct licence is a criminal offence. ADS remains the national trade association covering aerospace, defence, security and space.
Future development appears likely to favour suppliers that can document certification, quality and export-control processes as part of the sales motion, not only the engineering claim. Reading-area firms tend to be close enough to national customers and advisers to serve programme work, but the cohort still looks small and specialist. Scale-up scarcity may keep many businesses in consultancy, component or support niches, while buyers continue to prefer qualified suppliers with defensible compliance processes. Consolidation may come through procurement pressure and succession rather than headline venture funding, especially where controlled goods and long qualification cycles make speculative expansion harder.
What’s in the file
One row per company, 50+ columns — everything below plus each company’s verified directors, from Companies House filings.
Company data
Verified directors — included
43
Active firms
2026
8
Above £5M
turnover threshold
6
Since 2022
recent incorporations
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Key facts
About 18% of the trading cohort reports turnover above £5M (8 of 43 firms) — the rest sits below that revenue band.
13% of the cohort was incorporated since 2022 (6 firms), so a sizeable share is in its first few filing cycles.
ADS puts UK aerospace turnover at £30.5 billion in its 2024 outlook, with exports of £20 billion.
UK aerospace directly employs 104,000 people, according to ADS’ 2024 aerospace outlook.
GOV.UK reports £13.2 billion of UK defence orders in 2024, up from £11.9 billion in 2023.
Civil aviation safety and certification work sits with the CAA, while controlled defence and dual-use exports may require Export Control Joint Unit licences.
Aerospace products accounted for 53% of UK defence export orders over 2020–2024, making aerospace the largest defence export product category across that period.
Top Reading Aerospace & Defence companies
Financial sub-scores
Computed from 5 filingsManufactures fine limit sheet metal components for aerospace and defence applications. Provides prototyping, fabrication and welding services using materials including aluminium, copper and steels,…
Sells to aerospace and defence manufacturers and Tier 1 suppliers, including military and commercial aircraft programmes, with additional customers in automotive, maritime and rail sectors.
Financial Health
StrongStrong · -1% CAGR over 4y
Location
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Computed from 4 filingsDevelops ultra‑low Earth orbit satellites and propulsion systems designed to operate at very low altitudes. Technology supports high‑resolution Earth observation, atmospheric data collection, weather…
Targets organisations in Earth observation, telecoms/connectivity and weather forecasting that need satellite-derived imagery, direct-to-device data links or atmospheric data for commercial or…
Financial Health
StrongStrong · Hiring · 63% CAGR over 3y
Location
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Financial sub-scores
Computed from 5 filingsFinancial Health
WeakWeak · 0% CAGR over 4y
Location
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Computed from 5 filingsDesigns, manufactures and repairs aircraft interior components and systems for cabin, cockpit and cargo areas. Provides engineering design, testing, certification support, build‑to‑print production,…
Serves B2B customers in commercial aerospace, including airlines, aircraft operators, MRO organisations and interior retrofit teams needing certified cabin, cockpit and cargo bay components and…
Financial Health
WeakWeak · -1% CAGR over 4y
Location
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Computed from 3 filingsDesigns and manufactures electronics and computing systems for aerospace and defence applications, including RF and microwave components, embedded processing modules, data storage and management…
Serves aerospace and defence organisations, including defence primes, commercial aviation and space programme teams, and government mission buyers across land, sea, air, space and cyber domains.
Financial Health
HealthyHealthy · Hiring · 18% CAGR over 2y
Location
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Computed from 5 filingsManufactures precision electromechanical components including slip rings, servo valves and motion control systems. Designs and supplies aerospace test systems, actuators and control equipment, and…
Targets B2B engineering and procurement teams at commercial and military aircraft OEMs, defence and space organisations, motorsport teams, wind energy testers and industrial automation manufacturers.
Financial Health
StableStable · 2% CAGR over 4y
Location
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Develops satellite communication terminals and software that connect simultaneously to multiple satellite and cellular networks. Provides multi‑orbit, multi‑band connectivity systems for government,…
Serves defense and government organisations, plus some commercial customers, requiring resilient communications for mobile land, sea and air operations in demanding mission environments.
Location
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Financial sub-scores
Computed from 2 filingsProvides maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services for aircraft safety and survival equipment, including life rafts, escape slides, beacons, fire extinguishers and oxygen systems, and services…
Serves B2B aviation customers including airlines, aircraft operators, OEMs and MRO organisations needing support for aircraft safety, survival, fuel, electrical and hydraulic components.
Financial Health
StrongStrong · Profitable, Growing, Hiring · 21% CAGR over 1y
Location
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Computed from 3 filingsProvides engineering consultancy, analysis and project management services for the space industry. Develops mathematical models and simulation tools for atmospheric re-entry, aerodynamics,…
Serves space-sector organisations involved in large space projects, including satellite, launch, re-entry and space surveillance mission teams across the European space industry.
Financial Health
HealthyHealthy · 0% CAGR over 2y
Location
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Computed from 5 filingsDesigns and manufactures advanced composite and metal components and systems, including thermal management equipment, lightweight structures and precision fabrications. Provides filament winding,…
Serves B2B customers in high-tech sectors, including aerospace and defence, automotive and transportation, clean energy and motorsport, targeting engineering and manufacturing teams.
Financial Health
StableStable
Location
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Computed from 5 filingsDevelops reusable rocket-powered spaceplanes for suborbital payload missions and manufactures satellite propulsion systems, including thrusters, tanks and integrated propulsion units for CubeSats and…
Serves satellite manufacturers, operators and space mission teams, including CubeSat to multi-ton spacecraft programmes, plus organisations seeking suborbital microgravity payload flights or…
Financial Health
StableStable · 0% CAGR over 4y
Location
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Computed from 3 filingsDesigns and supplies specialised equipment, including explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) tools, for defence, law enforcement and security organisations. Provides technical consultancy, training…
Serves defence, law enforcement and security organisations, including EOD teams, elite operational end users, integrated project teams and technical stakeholders in domestic and international markets.
Financial Health
StrongStrong · Growing, Hiring · 26% CAGR over 2y
Location
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Computed from 4 filingsDevelops cloud‑based flight data monitoring and safety management software for the aviation industry. Provides aviation safety consultancy, training services, and recruitment of aviation…
Serves airlines and aviation organisations, particularly safety, quality, risk management, flight operations and engineering teams needing flight data monitoring, safety management, training,…
Financial Health
StableStable · -7% CAGR over 3y
Location
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Computed from 3 filingsManufactures precision-engineered components using CNC milling, turning and EDM, and produces composite and carbon fibre parts. Provides metal additive manufacturing, heat treatment, non‑destructive…
Sells B2B to motorsport, aerospace and defence organisations, including leading Formula One teams, needing subcontract precision engineering, composite components and additive manufacturing.
Financial Health
HealthyHealthy · Growing · 0% CAGR over 2y
Location
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Computed from 3 filingsProvides aircraft component repair management and warranty administration services for airlines and maintenance organisations. Uses online systems and back‑office support to manage repair cycles,…
Serves major international airlines, rotary-wing operators and aviation MROs across Asia Pacific, Europe, the USA and South America, targeting maintenance, procurement and warranty teams.
Financial Health
DistressedDistressed · -88% CAGR over 2y
Location
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Computed from 5 filingsFinancial Health
HealthyHealthy · -67% CAGR over 4y
Location
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Computed from 5 filingsProvides engineering design, electronics development and advanced manufacturing services, including RF and microwave systems, power electronics and high‑reliability components for sectors such as…
Serves B2B customers in energy, utilities, communications, defence, transportation, medical, test and instrumentation, aerospace and space, including global defence contractors, OEMs, Tier 1…
Financial Health
StableStable · -62% CAGR over 4y
Location
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Computed from 5 filingsDesigns, manufactures and supplies specialist electronic hand controllers, including joysticks, trackballs and control grips. Provides modular and custom-built controller systems and replacement…
Serves B2B customers in aerospace, defence and specialist vehicle systems, including equipment manufacturers, systems integrators and programme teams needing hand controllers for demanding…
Financial Health
HealthyHealthy · Profitable, Hiring · 4% CAGR over 4y
Location
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Computed from 5 filingsProvides precision engineering and machining services using CNC and manual equipment. Manufactures jigs, fixtures and prototypes and undertakes small batch production runs for sectors including…
Serves B2B engineering and manufacturing clients across aerospace, defence and satellite sectors, particularly organisations needing suppliers for jigs, fixtures, prototypes and small batch…
Financial Health
WeakWeak · -2% CAGR over 4y
Location
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Computed from 3 filingsDesigns and manufactures electrical control and instrumentation systems, including control panels and wiring looms. Provides engineering design, build‑to‑print manufacturing, panel modification,…
Serves B2B clients in highly regulated industrial sectors, including nuclear, defence and aerospace, power, energy and renewables, process industries, facility automation and OEMs in the UK and…
Financial Health
HealthyHealthy · 0% CAGR over 2y
Location
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Provides data technology services for defence and security organisations, specialising in electronic warfare support, operational data analysis, software and digital services, and training for…
Serves defence and security organisations, including military forces, government agencies and MOD-related end users in the UK and international markets, across electronic warfare, digital and…
Location
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Computed from 4 filingsProvides precision engineering and CNC machining services, including 5-axis and multi-axis milling and turning, finishing, inspection and assembly. Produces machined components from metals and…
Sells to B2B customers needing precision-machined components, especially aerospace and aviation firms, including buyers requiring AS9100-compliant engineering. Also serves high-performance…
Financial Health
StableStable · Hiring · 9% CAGR over 3y
Location
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Computed from 5 filingsSupplies and distributes electro‑mechanical components including connectors, switches, LED indicators and power systems from manufacturers such as Safran, Eaton and APM Hexseal, supporting aerospace,…
Serves procurement and engineering teams in military/defence, commercial aerospace, marine, tracked vehicle and transportation organisations needing electromechanical component supply.
Financial Health
StableStable · 0% CAGR over 4y
Location
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Computed from 5 filingsProvides subcontract precision engineering and CNC machining services including CNC milling, 5‑axis milling, turning, deep hole drilling, honing, jig boring, and thread rolling, producing components…
Serves B2B engineering and manufacturing customers in motorsport, automotive, aerospace and oil & gas sectors, typically organisations needing subcontract component production support.
Financial Health
HealthyHealthy · Growing, Hiring · 5% CAGR over 4y
Location
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Computed from 5 filingsProvides aviation consultancy services including airport master planning, airside analytics and modelling, terminal and landside planning, passenger process design, sustainability advisory, and 3D…
Serves B2B aviation-sector clients, including airport operators, terminal owners, airlines and airport authorities needing planning, modelling, master planning and visualisation support for airside,…
Financial Health
WeakWeak
Location
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Computed from 5 filingsManufactures and supplies flashbang distraction devices and smoke grenades used in military, police, fire and emergency services training. Products include multi-bang flash devices, thunderflashes,…
Sells B2B to military, police, fire and ambulance training organisations, as well as defence and security agencies worldwide. Targets professional buyers seeking tactical training products for law…
Financial Health
WeakWeak
Location
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Computed from 3 filingsFinancial Health
DistressedDistressed
Location
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Computed from 5 filingsFinancial Health
DistressedDistressed
Location
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Computed from 5 filingsDevelops, manufactures and distributes ballistic body armor, protective vests, stab protection systems and duty gear for military, law enforcement, corrections and security personnel through multiple…
Serves military and defence buyers, federal agencies, law enforcement bodies, and corrections professionals in domestic and international markets.
Financial Health
WeakWeak · 0% CAGR over 4y
Location
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Computed from 2 filingsFinancial Health
DistressedDistressed · 0% CAGR over 1y
Location
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Computed from 5 filingsFinancial Health
WeakWeak
Location
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Computed from 2 filingsFinancial Health
HealthyHealthy · 0% CAGR over 1y
Location
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Computed from 4 filingsFinancial Health
HealthyHealthy · 0% CAGR over 3y
Location
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Computed from 3 filingsDesigns, manufactures and installs secure storage and enclosure systems for weapons and high‑value assets, including armoury and strongroom doors, LPS 1175‑rated containers, modular walling, vault…
Serves defence, policing, security and other high-risk organisations, including public-sector agencies and commercial sites with weapon, asset, physical, blast or ballistic security requirements.
Financial Health
StrongStrong · -3% CAGR over 2y
Location
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How Reading Aerospace & Defence companies work and how to sell to them
What they do
Revenue usually comes from contract work rather than high-volume product sales. Reading-area aerospace and defence suppliers typically charge for design packages, build-to-print components, systems integration, test evidence, maintenance capability, spares, calibration and certification support. Pricing often mixes fixed-price milestones, day-rate engineering, call-off work and retainers for ongoing support. Subscription revenue appears mainly where monitoring, training or compliance software wraps an engineering service. Gross margin depends less on pure unit cost than on utilisation, change-control discipline, audit readiness and whether the supplier can keep its place on a customer programme after the first work package is delivered.
Who they sell to
Typical customers include prime contractors, aircraft operators, systems integrators, space programme suppliers, security contractors and public-sector defence buyers. The buying committee is usually technical and commercial: engineering directors, programme managers, heads of quality, procurement leads, finance teams and, where exports are involved, compliance or security owners. Contracts are rarely impulse purchases. Smaller scopes can be won through direct technical relationships, while larger work usually moves through approved-supplier onboarding, tenders, framework call-offs or partner-led routes into programme owners. Sales cycles tend to be measured in months, with evidence packs, references and qualification status carrying more weight than generic sales collateral.
What they buy
Most aerospace and defence firms tend to spend on systems that protect traceability, delivery control and bid credibility. Common categories include quality management, document control, requirements management, product lifecycle management, enterprise resource planning, material requirements planning, inventory tracking, project accounting, export-control screening, cybersecurity, secure collaboration and audit management. Engineering-heavy firms also buy test equipment, calibration services, simulation support, certification advice, technical recruitment, health and safety advice, insurance, legal support and bid-writing services. Sellers should expect integration questions, retention requirements and access-control concerns, especially where customer documents, controlled technical information or safety evidence are involved.
Why and how to sell to them
Aerospace and defence buyers tend to evaluate suppliers when programme risk becomes visible: a new contract award, a qualification round, a CAA-facing certification project, a controlled-goods review, a quality audit, an acquisition, a succession change or a move from prototype work into repeat delivery. Pain points often sit in documentation burden, late engineering changes, supplier assurance, cyber requirements and export-control uncertainty. Outbound messages tend to land better when tied to margin protection, audit evidence, delivery risk or bid win rates. Broad productivity claims are weaker than a concrete route to cleaner documentation, fewer rework loops or faster responses to customer assurance requests.
How this list is built
Data sources
This list is built from UK Companies House filings, XBRL accounts data, and semantic analysis of each company's public website. Revenue and headcount figures come from the most recent filed accounts; where the company has not filed, values are estimated using a model trained on filed history and peer benchmarks and are labelled as estimates.
Classification
Rather than relying solely on SIC codes, Firmbase classifies each company semantically: the company's website is crawled, an AI model reads what the company actually sells, and the company is placed into the relevant industry and subsectors. SIC codes are used as one signal but not the only one. This means a company that registered under a generic SIC code but pivoted into (for example) fintech is correctly identified as fintech, not as its original SIC category.
Freshness
The underlying company data is refreshed from Companies House continuously; filings appear in the list within days of submission. The curated list ordering is regenerated when the underlying data moves meaningfully (company count changes by more than 5%, a new company enters the top-ranked segment, or the filed-revenue numbers for the top firms change). You can see the last-updated timestamp near the top of the page.
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Frequently asked questions
How many Aerospace & Defence companies are there in Reading?
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