£3.7bn
gross value added by Scotland’s aerospace, defence, security and space sectors in 2024
Defence and marine engineering
Finance for Defence and Marine Engineering Subcontractors in Scotland
Precision plant, fabrication equipment and workshop property finance for the businesses that supply Scotland’s naval and defence programmes.
- Broker since 1997
- 575+ lenders
- Led from Dundee
Scotland’s defence sector in numbers
+55%
growth in the sectors’ value added since 2020
£9bn
turnover of the sectors in Scotland, up by a third over five years
16,250
people directly employed in Scotland’s defence sector, up by two thirds in five years
A specialised supply chain
Naval shipbuilding programmes on the Clyde and at Rosyth rely on a supply chain of precision engineering, fabrication and marine services businesses across Scotland. These firms often win long, staged contracts, which can make cash flow lumpy while the equipment they need is expensive and specialised.
Finance can help with plant upgrades, new capacity for a contract win and workshop or yard space. Lenders will want to understand the contracts behind the equipment, so we recommend telling us as much about your order book as you are able to.
What we can help finance
Precision machining
CNC machining centres, turning and milling equipment for high-tolerance work.
Robotic welding and fabrication
Robotic welding rigs, fabrication lines and plate handling equipment.
Laser and plasma cutting
Laser cutters, plasma tables and associated extraction.
Inspection and test equipment
Metrology, non-destructive testing and inspection equipment.
Yard and workshop plant
Cranes, lifting equipment and handling plant.
Workshop and yard property
Commercial mortgages for owner-occupied workshops and yards.
Tell us about your business
Tell us what you want to finance and a little about your business and contracts. We’ll come back to you with options. There is no obligation, and we don’t carry out a credit search at this initial stage.
Defence and marine finance FAQs
Often. Lenders may look at the contract, the customer and the term when deciding, particularly for specialist equipment.
Lenders need enough information to assess the case, but not necessarily sensitive details. Tell us what you can share and we will advise on what lenders typically need.
Often, using a commercial mortgage, subject to the property, the trading record and the lender.
Related
Sources
This page is general information only and is not legal, tax or financial advice. Figures come from the published sources listed on this page and were correct when last reviewed. Lender availability, terms and criteria vary and are subject to status and underwriting.
Paul Thompson, trading as Acorn.finance, is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 660207). Not all of the finance we arrange is regulated by the FCA.
Last reviewed: 11 November 2026