Coventry-based defence manufacturer NP Aerospace has secured a multi-million-pound funding package from NatWest, designed to support the company’s international growth and boost its exporting capacity.
The finance deal includes a UK Export Finance-backed Trade Finance Facility, as well as capital investment support from Lombard, and is expected to create new jobs as the company scales operations. NatWest and Lombard have worked closely with NP Aerospace since 2021, providing a suite of financial solutions to support its growth ambitions.
The firm, which has operated from Coventry for almost a century, employs 380 staff globally, including 300 in the UK, and recently expanded through the acquisition of key assets from Jankel Armouring Limited. This strategic move has enabled NP Aerospace to diversify its offering to include tactical and civilian armoured vehicles, armour technologies, seating systems and through-life vehicle support services.
Robert Begbie, CEO of NatWest Commercial & Institutional, is due to visit NP Aerospace on Wednesday 4 June to see first-hand the business’s expansion plans and the impact of the funding on the local West Midlands economy.
Will Davis, Chief Financial Officer at NP Aerospace, said: “As we continue to grow the business to meet the needs of our clients, it has been crucial to have a finance partner like NatWest who understands our unique needs. The team has been proactive, responsive and highly knowledgeable about the defence sector. Their support has been timely and efficient as we continue to pursue international opportunities.”
Will Jones, Relationship Director at NatWest, added: “NP Aerospace is building a sustainable and strategically important business that supports both the UK defence industry and local employment. As the UK’s biggest bank for business, we are proud to support them and wish the team every success in their long-term growth plans.”
A cornerstone of the UK’s defence manufacturing landscape, NP Aerospace provides armour manufacturing, vehicle integration and maintenance services to the UK Ministry of Defence and international defence partners. The company supports a fleet of more than 18,000 military vehicles deployed globally and is recognised as a key employer in the West Midlands defence sector.
The new funding will further enable the business to explore export markets and consolidate its position as a trusted global leader in advanced armour systems and mission-critical vehicle support.
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NP Aerospace secures multi-million-pound funding from NatWest to power global expansion