UK Defence Journal

Ministers cite 70 veteran meetings over Troubles Bill Ministers say they have held more than 70 engagements with veterans since July 2024 while discussing legislation relating to the Northern Ireland Troubles.

Ministers say they have held more than 70 engagements with veterans since July 2024 while discussing legislation relating to the Northern Ireland Troubles.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/?p=67455

Sustainable aviation fuel to cost over twice jet fuel Forecasts produced by the Ministry of Defence indicate that sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) will remain significantly more expensive than conventional jet fuel for the foreseeable future.

Forecasts produced by the Ministry of Defence indicate that sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) will remain significantly more expensive than conventional jet fuel for the foreseeable future.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/?p=67458

Nearly 60,000 UK forces applications rejected on medical grounds Almost 60,000 applications to join the British armed forces have been rejected on medical grounds since July 2024, according to new figures released by the Ministry of Defence.

Almost 60,000 applications to join the British armed forces have been rejected on medical grounds since July 2024, according to new figures released by the Ministry of Defence.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/?p=67457

America unveils high-speed runway-independent X-76 aircraft The United States has unveiled a new experimental aircraft designed to combine jet-like speed with the flexibility of helicopter operations.

The United States has unveiled a new experimental aircraft designed to combine jet-like speed with the flexibility of helicopter operations.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/america-unve...

French aircraft carrier proving its worth in Mediterranean France’s nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle has been deployed to the eastern Mediterranean as part of a wider French naval response to rising tensions linked to the conflict involving Iran.

France’s nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle has been deployed to the eastern Mediterranean as part of a wider French naval response to rising tensions linked to the conflict involving Iran.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/french-aircr...

Thales readies Storm 2 wearable counter-drone jammer Ahead of the official unveiling at the Future Soldier Technology conference, the UK Defence Journal spoke with Timothy Coley, Product Line Manager for cyber and electromagnetic activities at Thales, about the new Storm 2 system.

Ahead of the official unveiling at the Future Soldier Technology conference, the UK Defence Journal spoke with Timothy Coley, Product Line Manager for cyber and electromagnetic activities at Thales, about the new Storm 2 system.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/thales-readi...

Work ongoing to scope Mk41 fit for Type 31 frigates The Ministry of Defence says work is ongoing to scope the integration of the Mk41 vertical launch system on Royal Navy Type 31 frigates, declining to provide details on how the capability will be incorporated across the class.

The Ministry of Defence says work is ongoing to scope the integration of the Mk41 vertical launch system on Royal Navy Type 31 frigates, declining to provide details on how the capability will be incorporated across the class.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/work-ongoing...

The Ministry of Defence says work is ongoing to scope the integration of the Mk41 vertical launch system on Royal Navy Type 31 frigates, declining to provide details on how the capability will be incorporated across the class.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/?p=67459

British fighter jets shoot down drones in Middle East Typhoon fighter jets have shot down an uncrewed aerial system and intercepted a drone during overnight defensive operations in the Middle East, according to the Ministry of Defence.

Typhoon fighter jets have shot down an uncrewed aerial system and intercepted a drone during overnight defensive operations in the Middle East, according to the Ministry of Defence.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/british-figh...

Scottish Ambulance Service highlights reservist support The Scottish Ambulance Service illustrates a model where support is delivered through practical arrangements and organisational culture rather than through comprehensive workforce monitoring.

The Scottish Ambulance Service illustrates a model where support is delivered through practical arrangements and organisational culture rather than through comprehensive workforce monitoring.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/scottish-amb...

Hull man charged with terrorism offences after police probe A 23-year-old man from Hull has been charged with multiple terrorism offences following an investigation by Counter Terrorism Policing North East supported by Humberside Police.

A 23-year-old man from Hull has been charged with multiple terrorism offences following an investigation by Counter Terrorism Policing North East supported by Humberside Police.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/hull-man-cha...

British forces intercept Iranian one-way attack drone British military forces have intercepted a one-way attack drone launched from Iran towards Iraq, according to the Ministry of Defence.

British military forces have intercepted a one-way attack drone launched from Iran towards Iraq, according to the Ministry of Defence.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/british-forc...

MOD to award intelligence data deal to Janes The Ministry of Defence plans to award a contract worth up to GBP 17.5 million to Janes for access to defence intelligence databases and analytical tools.

The Ministry of Defence plans to award a contract worth up to GBP 17.5 million to Janes for access to defence intelligence databases and analytical tools.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/mod-to-award...

BAE Systems delivers 100,000th APKWS guidance kit BAE Systems has delivered its 100,000th Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) laser-guidance kit, a production milestone for the widely used precision-strike system.

BAE Systems has delivered its 100,000th Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) laser-guidance kit, a production milestone for the widely used precision-strike system.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/bae-systems-...

B-21 bomber production to accelerate Northrop Grumman and the U.S. Air Force are accelerating production capacity for the B-21 Raider stealth bomber as the programme progresses through testing.

Northrop Grumman and the U.S. Air Force are accelerating production capacity for the B-21 Raider stealth bomber as the programme progresses through testing.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/b-21-bomber-...

Why Ferguson Marine is turning a corner Work on structural sections for Royal Navy Type 26 frigates, alongside plans for new vessels serving Scotland, is helping anchor Ferguson Marine's recovery as the Port Glasgow yard rebuilds its role within the shipbuilding industry.

Work on structural sections for Royal Navy Type 26 frigates, alongside plans for new vessels serving Scotland, is helping anchor Ferguson Marine's recovery as the Port Glasgow yard rebuilds its role within the shipbuilding industry.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/why-ferguson...

NATO concludes major submarine warfare exercise NATO has concluded its largest annual anti-submarine warfare exercise, Dynamic Manta 2026, after a period of multinational training in the central Mediterranean Sea aimed at strengthening the Alliance’s ability to detect and counter submarine threats.

NATO has concluded its largest annual anti-submarine warfare exercise, Dynamic Manta 2026, after a period of multinational training in the central Mediterranean Sea aimed at strengthening the Alliance’s ability to detect and counter submarine threats.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/nato-conclud...

UK considers expanding the use of sythentic training The proposed Gladiator and Spartan Core Systems and Services contract would support the MOD Gladiator distributed training system while also enabling the Royal Navy’s developing SPARTAN programme for maritime collective training.

The proposed Gladiator and Spartan Core Systems and Services contract would support the MOD Gladiator distributed training system while also enabling the Royal Navy’s developing SPARTAN programme for maritime collective training.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/uk-considers...

UK considers expanding the use of sythentic training The proposed Gladiator and Spartan Core Systems and Services contract would support the MOD Gladiator distributed training system while also enabling the Royal Navy’s developing SPARTAN programme for maritime collective training.

The proposed Gladiator and Spartan Core Systems and Services contract would support the MOD Gladiator distributed training system while also enabling the Royal Navy’s developing SPARTAN programme for maritime collective training.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/uk-considers...

US tests unarmed nuclear missile over Pacific Ocean The United States Air Force has conducted a test launch of an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile equipped with two test re-entry vehicles as part of routine efforts to verify the reliability of the system.

The United States Air Force has conducted a test launch of an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile equipped with two test re-entry vehicles as part of routine efforts to verify the reliability of the system.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/us-tests-una...

Woman jailed for smuggling arsenal of military-grade weapons A woman who smuggled a cache of firearms, ammunition and heroin into the UK has been jailed for nine years following an investigation by the National Crime Agency.

A woman who smuggled a cache of firearms, ammunition and heroin into the UK has been jailed for nine years following an investigation by the National Crime Agency.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/woman-jailed...

Royal Navy support contract planned for pipes and valves The Ministry of Defence is exploring a major support contract worth up to GBP 150 million for the supply and maintenance of hoses, pipework and valves used on Royal Navy vessels.

The Ministry of Defence is exploring a major support contract worth up to GBP 150 million for the supply and maintenance of hoses, pipework and valves used on Royal Navy vessels.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/royal-navy-s...

For the first time in its history, the British Army has a servicewoman serving at each of its 18 ranks, from recruit through to four-star general.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/british-army...

The Ministry of Defence has begun preliminary market engagement for a project aimed at developing a sovereign electronic fuze system for use across armed uncrewed platforms.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/mod-explores...

Royal Navy destroyer HMS Duncan recently faced a sustained barrage of drone and missile threats during a concentrated 72-hour exercise off the Welsh coast.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/british-wars...

Apprenticeships and reskilling in Harland and Wolff rebuild With more than 220 apprentices already in training and further recruitment under way, Navantia UK is expanding training, reskilling and outreach as part of rebuilding the workforce behind Belfast’s shipyard revival.

It is easy to look at Harland and Wolff's Belfast yard and focus on the visible changes, but that misses the point.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/apprenticesh...

Rolls-Royce completes key B-52J engine altitude testing Rolls-Royce has completed altitude and operability testing of its F130 engine as part of the programme to re-engine the U.S. Air Force B-52J Stratofortress bomber fleet, the company announced.

Rolls-Royce has completed altitude and operability testing of its F130 engine as part of the programme to re-engine the U.S. Air Force B-52J Stratofortress bomber fleet, the company announced.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/?p=67380

BAE wins contract for Paladin artillery vehicles BAE Systems has been awarded a contract worth more than USD 500 million to produce additional M109A7 Paladin self-propelled howitzers and M992A3 ammunition carriers for the U.S. Army.

BAE Systems has been awarded a contract worth more than USD 500 million to produce additional M109A7 Paladin self-propelled howitzers and M992A3 ammunition carriers for the U.S. Army.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/?p=67383

BAE unveils Silver Link antenna system BAE Systems has introduced Silver Link, a new family of modular conformal antenna systems designed to support next-generation air dominance programmes and improve airborne communications.

BAE Systems has introduced Silver Link, a new family of modular conformal antenna systems designed to support next-generation air dominance programmes and improve airborne communications.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/?p=67382

AI tested on F-35 to improve combat identification Lockheed Martin has flight tested an artificial intelligence-enhanced combat identification capability integrated into the F-35’s information fusion system, according to the company.

Lockheed Martin has flight tested an artificial intelligence-enhanced combat identification capability integrated into the F-35’s information fusion system, according to the company.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/?p=67378