Over 7,000 jobs and £914 million in spending underline Wales’ role in national security

WALES is set to benefit significantly from a major increase in UK Government spending on defence, with the country already a key player in the sector through cutting-edge technology and innovation.

New figures reveal that the Ministry of Defence (MOD) spends £290 per person in Wales and directly supports over 7,700 jobs. In 2023–24, the MOD spent £914 million with industry and commerce in Wales – an increase of £86 million on the previous year.

The country’s contribution to defence was highlighted during a ministerial visit to North Wales on Thursday (Apr 3), where Wales Office Minister Dame Nia Griffith visited Teledyne Qioptiq Ltd in St Asaph. The company develops advanced electro-optic technology used in defence programmes such as the Eurofighter Typhoon and Challenger 2 tanks. It also provides essential support to infantry forces through the STAS contract.

Dame Nia Griffith said:
“The defence industry is a cornerstone of our national security and economic prosperity.

“All of the MOD’s top five suppliers have a footprint in Wales, which puts us in a strong position to benefit from increased defence spending.

“Companies like Qioptiq are not only driving innovation, but also providing high-quality jobs and contributing significantly to our local and national economy.

“The UK Government’s top priority is kickstarting economic growth. By investing in the defence sector, we safeguard national security, create new jobs, and put more money in people’s pockets.”

Peter White, Managing Director of Qioptiq, added:
“It is a privilege to continue playing our part in keeping our troops and society safe.”

Across Wales, the defence sector includes over 160 companies employing more than 20,000 people. The industry’s importance is set to grow further following the Prime Minister’s recent pledge to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP from April 2027.

As part of that investment, the Chancellor confirmed in the Autumn Budget that £975 million will be allocated to the UK aerospace sector over the next five years – with £49 million already earmarked for projects in Wales.

While in North Wales, Dame Nia also visited Wagtail UK in Mostyn – an award-winning company that provides detection dogs and training services to clients including the UK Border Force, HMRC, Police, Trading Standards, and the Armed Forces.

Wales could benefit from £3bn growth annually if indoor mobile dead zones were eliminated, survey finds.

RESEARCH from Freshwave, a connectivity infrastructure provider, highlights how improving indoor mobile coverage could significantly enhance productivity across Wales. According to the 2025 Freshwave Mobile Connectivity ROI Index, poor indoor mobile signal currently costs Welsh organisations an estimated £4bn every year, with businesses, hospitals, and public buildings suffering from inefficiencies caused by mobile blackspots.

The index reveals that 82% of Welsh organisations experience daily connectivity issues, which have a direct impact on both employee productivity and customer satisfaction. Survey respondents believe that resolving these connectivity problems could lead to a substantial 2.1% increase in Wales’ GDP—surpassing the UK-wide average of 1.6%.

In light of these findings, the Welsh Government’s Digital Strategy for Wales aims to use technology to improve lives and enhance productivity across the nation. This is particularly timely, as Chancellor Rachel Reeves has made economic productivity a key priority amid discussions of avoiding further tax increases.

Impact on Welsh businesses and public sector

Organisations with more than 100 employees are reporting that indoor mobile connectivity problems cost them an average of £143m annually, which translates to a collective £4bn loss across the Welsh economy. Respondents believe that improving mobile coverage—whether through 4G or 5G—would address these productivity barriers and contribute to significant efficiency gains. Many also anticipate higher budgets for mobile connectivity improvements, with 68% planning to increase their investments over the next two years.

CEO comments on the need for action

Simon Frumkin, CEO of Freshwave, explained: “The Welsh economy simply cannot afford to lose billions every year. Investments in digital infrastructure over the past decade have set the stage for progress. Now, we need to ensure that seamless mobile connectivity is available where it’s needed most. This could result in a £3bn boost to Welsh organisations.”

Frumkin added, “By working alongside mobile network operators, we can unlock the full economic potential of 4G and 5G connectivity, driving innovation and efficiency across all sectors.”

National context: Public sector hit hardest

Across the UK, the public sector is the most affected by indoor mobile connectivity issues, with losses of £46bn annually and missed opportunities worth £33bn. The professional and financial services sector also faces significant losses, amounting to £24bn annually, with potential gains of £17bn.

Notes to Editors
Research methodology: A survey of 900 senior IT decision-makers from medium and large organisations across the UK was conducted in December 2024. Participants represented sectors including government, healthcare, professional services, and more, with all respondents from organisations with over 100 employees and revenues exceeding £50 million.

About Freshwave: Freshwave is a connectivity infrastructure provider that simplifies digital infrastructure. Backed by DigitalBridge, Freshwave collaborates with mobile operators, governments, and real estate providers to ensure reliable connectivity across the UK. Visit www.freshwavegroup.com for more information.

PREGNANCY is always a reason to celebrate, but when it involves a critically endangered species like the Eastern black rhino, it’s truly something special. The team at Folly Farm in Pembrokeshire is excited to announce that Dakima, their beloved rhino, is expecting her second calf—and the news has everyone at the zoo thrilled.

In the wild, Eastern black rhinos are solitary creatures, each occupying their own space. At Folly Farm, however, the rhinos reside in the Kifaru Reserve, which allows the keepers to carefully manage their breeding programme. Dakima shares her enclosure with her mate Nkosi, and the pair have been given a series of planned ‘date nights’ to increase the chances of another breeding success.

So, how exactly do keepers confirm a rhino pregnancy? No, they don’t ask Dakima to take a pregnancy test! Instead, the team uses a more scientific approach. Stool samples are collected and sent to a specialist lab at Chester Zoo, where experts analyse her hormones. The results have shown a clear increase in Dakima’s hormone levels, and with her steady weight gain, the team is optimistic that a calf is on the way. They predict that Dakima is already several months into her 15-16 month pregnancy, with the calf expected to arrive around November.

Dakima, who is now 12 years old, gave birth to her first calf, Glyndwr, in January 2020, just before the pandemic began. Glyndwr has since moved to Flamingo Land, a fellow animal park, to continue the breeding programme for this critically endangered species. His move marked a significant milestone in the zoo’s efforts to support the survival of Eastern black rhinos.

When Dakima and Nkosi first arrived at Folly Farm in 2015, the Eastern black rhino population in the wild was dangerously low, with fewer than 650 individuals remaining. Thanks to the dedication of conservationists worldwide, the situation has improved dramatically. The population of wild rhinos has more than doubled, with nearly 1,400 rhinos now roaming freely, and about 85 Eastern black rhinos in European zoos.

“This is a really exciting time for us,” said Alan Keeling, zoo manager. “Although it’s still early, we’re hopeful we’ll be celebrating another breeding success. It’s the ultimate goal for any zookeeper to help raise awareness of the challenges these animals face and to play a part in increasing their numbers, both in captivity and eventually in the wild.”

Dakima’s excellent care of her first calf, Glyndwr, has set high hopes for this pregnancy. Glyndwr was named in honour of Folly Farm’s Founding Director, Glyn Williams, and the zoo team are confident that Dakima will prove to be just as wonderful a mother the second time around.

“Dakima has always been calm and steady, and she seems to be adjusting well to her pregnancy,” Alan added. “We’ll continue to monitor her closely, ensuring she gets all the care she needs, including plenty of comfortable bedding to help her stay relaxed as she moves through the final months of her pregnancy.”