Jonathan Green, Prospect's head of research said: “This is an excellent opportunity to put our case on behalf of 11,000 skilled members working in defence. It shows that Prospect is seen as an important stakeholder, whose views need to be fed into the policymaking agenda.”

Members are invited to comment on the written submission by emailing [email protected]. These can then be considered when Prospect gives oral evidence.

Among other things Prospect has called for a new defence industrial strategy to help the UK meet its strategic needs post-Brexit.

“While the UK’s key defence alliance will continue to be NATO, the implications for the defence industry are none-the-less likely to be significant,” said Green. “Is the current balance between the UK’s sovereign capability in all defence domains sufficient to meet the UK’s strategic needs post-Brexit? It is not difficult to envisage how a vision of a more mercantile Britain could see a greater emphasis on air and naval assets.”

He said that a new DIS would be an opportunity for the government to consider how best to invest in defence manufacturing, particularly in those areas hit hardest by job losses over the past 30 years.

“Strategic planning helps government, industry and those working in industry to map out the future in a considered way. The defence industry is always challenged to manage peaks and troughs in production – a new industrial strategy will help navigate this difficult terrain.”