Sir Peter Luff, MP for Mid-Worcestershire and former Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology, is to become a patron of NDI, the trade body representing companies involved in the defence sector.
The move comes just weeks after NDI's ownership was taken over by EEF, the manufacturers' organisation.
The EEF said: "Sir Peter Luff's ongoing involvement and now patronage will further boost the support and expertise that NDI is able to provide member companies, most of which are SMEs, to help them to develop and grow their businesses across the defence, security, aerospace and space sectors, both nationally and internationally."
Sir Peter said: "It's vital that the voice of the smaller companies in our outstanding defence and security supply chain is heard and that they have access to the best information about the markets in which they operate and that is precisely what NDI offers them."
Terry Scuoler, chief executive of EEF, says: "I am delighted that Sir Peter has accepted the role of being a patron of NDI... Sir Peter brings energy, interest and experience to the table and will be instrumental in making sure UK engineering benefits from NDI's knowledge and expertise."