A strong global economy lifted commercial aerospace activity. Defence and security procurement continued to rise as governments replaced ageing equipment and countered new threats.

The airline industry is making environmental performance of paramount importance. Both leading aircraft manufacturers are investing heavily in research and development to improve their technologies.

Interoperable and networked systems enable close to real-time decisions. Only large defence and security companies have the range of capabilities to act as prime contractors for these complex systems.

Across the space industry, consolidation, through both mergers and alliances, is continuing. Commercial space companies are becoming increasingly high profile.