Disclosure of the future force review comes amid intense political scrutiny over the credibility of UK warfighting capabilities and calls by lawmakers to increase defense spending.
By Tim MartinRoberto Cingolani appeared to question UK secrecy, suggesting London has been unwilling to share how it will contribute to developing GCAP system of systems-type aircraft and technology.
By Tim MartinJames Cartlidge also described a tweak to the acquisition process for high-tech platforms that allow military tech experts to play “failsafe watchdog.”
By Tim MartinA total of $128 million from the latest drone package will be spent on maritime capabilities so Ukraine can “turn the tide” against Russia in the Black Sea, said the UK Ministry of Defence.
By Tim Martin“Since the formation of 216 Squadron in 2020 there have been no completed tests or trials conducted either in-house or with industry,” said James Cartlidge, UK minister for defence procurement.
By Tim Martin“There’s no technical argument why you would need German soldiers” for Ukraine to operate Taurus missiles, analyst Fabian Hoffmann said. “It’s simply because the chancellor doesn’t want to give up final targeting authority.”
By Tim MartinThe ITN phase is expected to deliver, for the first time, a full breakdown of requirements and costs for industry for the estimated $1.3 billion program.
By Tim Martin“We have learnt, and will continue to learn, important lessons relating to uncrewed technology from Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine, including developing and delivering long range air and maritime strike uncrewed systems,” notes the new 11 page UK military drone strategy.
By Tim MartinThe British Army has shared how it plans on reshaping a dismal land vehicle and equipment export track record that saw it contribute just 4 percent, equivalent to $4.5 billion, toward all UK military exports between 2012 and 2021.
By Tim Martin“We think they [Russian army] have a [reconnaissance strike] response time that sits between three and six minutes at the moment, and it’s getting better over time,” said a senior UK military official.
By Tim Martin“The Challenger 3 program will deliver the best tank in NATO … and deliver a network enabled, digital main battle tank, providing the soldier with a step changing capability,” said Rory Breen, strategy and future business director at RBSL.
By Tim MartinThe UK lauded the test of the laser air defense weapon, developed by Britain’s defense innovation unit, just weeks after an American admiral said it was time to be more “intellectually honnest” about what the class of weapons can do.
By Tim MartinDespite the UK MoD not signing off on any orders for the latest drone package, aircraft likely to be under consideration are smaller size systems, particularly soldier portable or “over the hill” drones similar to Teledyne FLIR Black Hornets, one analyst said.
By Tim MartinBryden Spurling, senior research leader for defence and security at RAND, said that there “was clearly reluctance [on the part of Washington and London] to strike the Houthis despite the threat they pose to one of the world’s most important waterways.”
By Tim Martin and Agnes Helou