ADS working for our members ADS is the UK trade association advancing leadership in aerospace, security, defence, and space. Our 1200+ members, ranging from SMEs to global Primes, are the custodians of a world-leading advanced engineering and services workforce. We aim to expand this unique workforce capability and national advantage by delivering sector investment and knowledge to the frontiers of advanced manufacturing. ADS promotes its members in lifting the limits to a new future built on clean growth, sovereign capabilities for peace, and opening space to all. We work with local, regional, and national Government departments and agencies in the UK and with international organisations involved in policy-making that impacts our sectors to achieve these aims. The UK is the second largest defence exporter in the world, helping to deliver equipment and services not only to our own armed forces but to our allies and partners across the globe.