The partnership marks a major milestone in ambitions to strengthen Huntingdonshire’s role in supporting defence intelligence and collaboration centred around RAF Wyton.
On 6 November 2026, leading defence and aerospace company Leonardo signed the Huntingdonshire Defence Cluster Partner Agreement, establishing its role as a strategic partner in the cluster, supporting efforts to accelerate research, skills development, SME growth and wider collaboration across the defence sector.
Leonardo's involvement marks an important milestone, by supporting the development and promotion of the Huntingdonshire Defence Cluster and wider defence, intelligence,
innovation, skills, and economic growth ambitions within Huntingdonshire and related initiatives associated with RAF Wyton, Project FAIRFAX. Project FAIRFAX is an MOD-led initiative centred at RAF Wyton which aims to build an Intelligence Ecosystem for Defence.
Huntingdonshire District Council is working alongside defence, industry, academic and public sector partners to support the wider development of the Huntingdonshire Defence Cluster. The agreement recognises the important role that Huntingdonshire plays in supporting national defence whilst also delivering local economic growth and social value.
The project is already delivering tangible outcomes since formally beginning in December 2025, including the opening of the FAIRFAX Collaboration Hub at RAF Wyton and the development of a growing network of organisations working together, through the Huntingdonshire Defence Cluster, to unlock opportunities for skills development and investment within the district.
Michelle Sacks, Chief Executive of Huntingdonshire District Council, said:
"This project centres on our commitment to people and place, helping to create exciting opportunities for young people to develop the skills and career pathways needed to succeed in the industries of the future. Leonardo's signing marks a significant moment in Huntingdonshire's ambitions to become a nationally recognised location for defence and intelligence innovation. Their expertise will help us accelerate the development of the Huntingdonshire Defence Cluster, creating opportunities for local businesses, supporting skills development and strengthening the partnerships needed to deliver long-term economic growth while supporting the UK's defence and security capabilities."
Air Commodore Sally Courtnadge, Commander National Centre for Geospatial Intelligence, at RAF Wyton, said:
“Having Leonardo as a Partner in our joint venture with Huntingdonshire District Council to develop the Huntingdonshire Defence Cluster will allow their expertise and understanding of the Defence sector to add real value to our activities. The overarching aim is to create a nationally significant Defence cluster with a thriving ecosystem of government, industry, and academic partners and we look forward to working with Leonardo on this exciting opportunity.”
Leonardo has joined alongside a number of partners. Together, partners are working to develop the conditions for long-term growth and collaboration across the district.
Prof Simon Harwood, UK Capability Development Director for Leonardo, said:
“FAIRFAX will make Wyton a national hub where government, industry and academia work side by side, turning world-class innovation into defence intelligence capability and high-skilled local jobs.
"Signing this Partner Agreement with Huntingdonshire District Council and the Ministry of Defence is an important step towards that vision.
"Leonardo brings decades of experience delivering advanced electronics, sensing and intelligence technologies to UK Defence, along with a strong commitment to developing engineering talent. We look forward to putting that expertise to work at Wyton, helping the campus deliver real capability for national security and lasting opportunity for the region.”
For Huntingdonshire District Council, the focus remains on translating defence-related investment into tangible local benefits through jobs, skills opportunities, business growth and wider economic prosperity across the district.
