Sheffield defence firms are being promised early access to Ministry of Defence contracts in a new initiative launched by Yorkshire mayors.

The Yorkshire Regional Defence and Security Cluster is free to join and will offer businesses a better chance to benefit from the UK government’s multi-billion-pound commitment to spending on defence, it is claimed.

The cluster was launched by Oliver Coppard, the mayor of South Yorkshire, David Skaith, the mayor of York and North Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, the mayor of West Yorkshire and Luke Campbell, the mayor of Hull and East Yorkshire.

It comes four days after Rotherham MP John Healey resigned as secretary of state for defence over funding for the military.

Oliver Coppard, mayor of South Yorkshire, said: “Yorkshire should be at the heart of our nation’s defence and security, building on our proud industrial heritage and our strengths in advanced manufacturing and engineering to protect our country.

“Here in South Yorkshire we’re already seeing what’s possible. There are now high-quality jobs, supporting established businesses to grow, and new opportunities for start-ups and local supply chains.

“By working together across Yorkshire, we will bring those strengths together for the UK’s defence and security – backing our industries, creating more good jobs, and building a bigger, better economy for our communities.”

Luke Pollard, Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, said: “Regional defence and security clusters play an important role in the UK’s national security and economic resilience.

“By bringing together local government, industry, and higher education in a triple helix partnership, they help to grow regional defence and security sectors, develop the pipeline of innovative technologies that defence needs.

“Their work also connects small and medium-sized enterprises with the pathways, funding, and expertise required to get their capabilities into UK Defence.

“The launch of a regional defence and security cluster shows Yorkshire’s ambition to create more jobs and win more contracts from a rising defence budget. This model works nationwide and I encourage firms big and small to get involved.”