At the visit to GKN are, from left, MP Andrew Turner, minister Peter Luff, manufacturing team leader Sean Yardley, operations manager assembly Andy Brown and airframe fitter Lee Winter. Picture by Peter Boam.
THE vital role of Island companies in the defence industry was highlighted during the visit of a government minister on Monday.
Defence minister Peter Luff visited BAE Maritime Services, Cowes, and GKN Aerospace, East Cowes, as well as smaller firms involved in the defence supply chain.
The visit followed a parliamentary debate in September, called for by Island MP Andrew Turner, after concerns were raised locally about the future of the Isle of Wight defence industry.
Mr Turner told the County Press: "There has been massive investment in developing cutting-edge technology, creating secure, high-tech jobs on the Island and I wanted to clarify the further opportunities for the development of that."
He said the visit was important to show the minister the work being done on the Island and how important it was to the UK defence industry.
Garry Hearnes, GKN general manager for operations, said: "It was an opportunity for us to show someone who has not been here before what we are doing at GKN on the Island is competing on a global stage. The minister was quite surprised by how much we are doing."
Mr Luff said he was impressed by the work being done by BAE Systems and GKN, which he had not been fully aware of before the visit.
He also acknowledged the contribution of small businesses to the defence industry, which he praised for their innovation.
Earlier in the day, Mr Luff met smaller Island businesses involved in defence contracting, including RF Engines, at a meeting held at the Riverside Centre.
Reporter: ross.findon@iwcp.co.uk