Revealed: University of Sheffield has received almost £100m in defence company funding

The University of Sheffield has received almost £100m in funding from defence companies.

Since 2012, the university has taken £98 million from 14 different organisations.

A Freedom of Information (FOI) request has revealed that these organisations have invested £22m more into the university than previously thought.

Of the total figure, the largest contributor was Rolls Royce with its £53 million investment making up more than half of all that the University of Sheffield has received from defence companies.

The next largest contributors are Boeing, and BAE Systems, who have handed the university £15.2m and £12.5m respectively.

Lockheed Martin, principal manufacturers of the F-35 fighter jet, which is operated by more than a dozen nations, including Israel, has also handed the University of Sheffield £67,393.

Prior to this recent FOI request, submitted by a former student, and first seen by Now Then, a figure of £72m of investment since 2012 had been widely reported.

A number of the companies named by the FOI request, including the largest contributors of investment, have civilian commercial operations. Furthermore, a much larger quantity of weapons and defence systems made by Rolls Royce, Boeing and BAE Systems are used by the Ukrainian Armed Forces than by the IDF.

This comes after Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced the suspension of 30 licences to export arms to Israel last month, over concerns the weapons in question would be used for violations of international law.

Minesh Parekh, councillor for Crookes and Crosspool, told Now Then: “Ours is a city of peace, values that all of our city’s institutions should uphold.

“In the context of the relentless horror being waged against people in Gaza, it’s untenable for a place of learning to take so many millions from the companies that facilitate that terror.”

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A spokesperson from the University of Sheffield told The Sheffield Tab: “The FOI request asked about research and innovation partnerships between the University of Sheffield and aerospace, engineering and energy companies. The University partnerships with these companies are mainly focused on contributing to improved manufacturing processes and materials that boost productivity and sustainability.”

“They also support our regional and national economy and have resulted in hundreds of high-skilled jobs being created in Sheffield and South Yorkshire.”

“Some examples of our current projects are: COMPASS (Composites at Speed and Scale) – one of Boeing’s largest ever research projects designed to build lightweight wings for more sustainable aeroplanes. The Sustainable Aviation Fuels Innovation Centre – researching how to make aeroplane fuels more sustainable. Boeing is a founding member of this research centre. Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) – research with Rolls Royce SMR into technology that could support the UK’s transition to clean energy.”

Rolls-Royce, Boeing, Airbus, BAE Systems and Lockheed Martin were contacted for comment but have not yet replied. 

Featured image via @steelcitysnaps on X

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