THE Scottish Government has denied claims that it is propping up the arms industry with public money.

Ross Greer, external affairs spokesperson for the Scottish Greens, said taxpayers would be “sickened” to learn that their cash was being used to support the manufacture and sale of weapons.

A Freedom of Information inquiry revealed how Holyrood development agency Scottish Enterprise had made awards to a range of defence sector operators in 2016-17.

This includes Raytheon Systems, the manufacturer of missile systems for Saudi Arabia’s air force.

The Gulf nation is currently leading an international coalition in the devastating war in Yemen.

According to Human Rights Watch, it has used missiles made by Raytheon at its Glenrothes factory in attacks which involved the deaths of civilians. That claim dates back to summer 2016 and the corporate giant declined to comment on reports.

Scottish Enterprise granted Raytheon more than £91,000 during 2016-17, with electronics specialist Selex ES, which also trades with Saudi Arabia, receiving £205,000.

The total committed to seven defence sector firms by both Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise for the period reaches almost £518,600.

This includes £145,300 to Helmet Integrated Systems, £61,000 to Makar Technologies, £5600 for Penman Engineering and £5000 for Turner Aviation.

Ross Greer said: “Innocent people are being killed around the world every day by an arms industry that we should have no part of. Most Scots will be sickened to learn that their government and its agencies are supporting this vile trade with public money.

“The Scottish Government must immediately instruct its agencies to end any support given to companies so complicit in immense human suffering. Children are starving and dying in Yemen — Scottish taxpayers’ money should play no more role in that tragedy. There are businesses the length and breadth of Scotland to be proud of and they deserve this support far more.”

However, the Scottish Government said Greer’s claims were wrong.

A spokesperson said: “No public money is used to support the manufacture or export of munitions from Scotland.

“Our enterprise agencies support businesses across Scotland, including those operating in the aerospace and defence industries, in areas such as innovation, workplace efficiencies and training, involving projects which show significant economic return, particularly in the safeguarding and creation of new jobs.

“The Scottish Government has made clear our expectation that the UK Government properly police the export of arms and investigate where concerns are raised. Our firm position is that military force should only be sanctioned where it is lawful to do so and in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter — and that any such action must always seek to avoid civilian casualties.”

Meanwhile, US aerospace firm Lockheed Martin, which has offices in Glasgow, says the UK economy has been boosted by the manufacture of the new F-35 stealth fighter jet, which is the most advanced of its type.

The UK Government has agreed to buy almost 140 of the supersonic warplanes in the coming decades in a £9.1 billion purchase programme.

Andrew Linstead, director of strategic engagement at Lockheed Martin UK, said a National Audit Office report published showed Britain had spent £3.9b on the F-35s since the start of the programme, sparking an uplift to domestic suppliers.

He said: “We did some analysis between ourselves and Pratt & Whitney, who make the engine, as to the value of contracts placed in the UK. That value was $12.9bn, so that is £8-9bn over the same period.

“You are already seeing a value of contracts placed being over twice the value of the expenditure the UK has put forward on the aircraft. That situation is going to improve and get even better as we ramp up production and more aircraft are made.”

He described the aircraft as a “software driven jet” that gives the pilot “unparalleled situational awareness”. However, he said protecting the crafts from cyber attacks would be a “constant battle”, stating: “Nothing ever stands still in that world.

“We are going to face that challenge going forward, but what I can say right now is the aircraft has gone through thousands of cyber tests.

“The challenge won’t stop. That work will continue, and continue and continue as we seek to protect the aircraft and its systems in the decades ahead.

“It is not something you can ever be complacent about, but the aircraft has gone through thousands and thousands of cyber tests in order to make sure it is as secure as it can be.”