British trade organization ADS has released a British defense sector survey that highlights the industry's value to the country.

The survey, which complements an aerospace industry survey, coincided with this week's Defense and Security Equipment International exposition in London.

"The government seeks to support the U.K.'s armed forces, invest in high-technology and long-term, high-value jobs in the U.K. while rebalancing the economy toward manufacturing and exports," said ADS Chairman Ian Godden. "It is clear that the U.K. defense industry is delivering for the nation on all counts.

"From large multinationals to small- and medium-sized enterprises -- where the U.K. has more than France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Norway combined -- our country can be proud of the innovative technology for which our defense engineers are rightly renowned worldwide."

The survey concluded:

-- Defense employs approximately 110,000 people directly, generating more than $34.6 billion in sales in 2010 with the sector supporting a total of 314,000 jobs while being responsible for $55.1 billion in total economic contributions, Oxford Economics research said.

-- Domestic sales were 57 percent of the $34.6 billion. Export sales totaled $14.98 billion, with aerospace making up 75 percent, land 17 percent and naval 8 percent. Sales to the United States totaled $3.62 billion, while sales to the European Union were $3.94 billion. Sales to the rest of the world were $7.25 billion.

-- Orders in 2010 were for $29.3 billion -- $19.8 billion in domestic orders and $9.4 billion in export orders, increasing Britain's share of the global defense export market to 22 percent in 2010.

-- The defense industry maintenance and service market was worth $6 billion in 2010.

-- Export trends over the last 10 years confirm that the U.S. defense sector remains well ahead of other countries but Britain is in second place. Saudi Arabia and India, two of Britain's key export markets, are the largest defense importers globally.

-- Total research and development investment in the defense industry came in at $2.61 billion in 2010, of which $1.68 billion was in defense aerospace.

ADS is the trade organization advancing Britain's aerospace, defense, security and space industries, with Farnborough International Ltd. as a wholly owned subsidiary.

ADS also encompasses the British Aviation Group and was formed from the merger of the Association of Police and Public Security Suppliers, the Defense Manufacturers Association and the Society of British Aerospace Companies.

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