Industry representatives have urged stronger public-sector support for Scotland’s aerospace and defence sector, warning that future skills and jobs depend on sustained government backing, according to evidence heard by the Scottish Affairs Committee. Andrew Kinniburgh, Director-General of Make UK Defence, and Warrick Malcolm, Director at ADS Scotland, appeared before the committee on 20 January to discuss the long-term outlook for aerospace capability in Scotland. Their evidence focused on the importance of maintaining industrial capacity, protecting specialist skills and attracting inward investment. During the session, AERALIS was cited as a prominent example of the capability already present in Scotland. The company has selected Prestwick Airport as the proposed location for a UK final assembly line for its next-generation advanced trainer aircraft, a move described as carrying significant implications for employment and skills retention in the region.