Official reveals UK undertaking a ‘classified’ Future Force Design Review

Official reveals UK undertaking a ‘classified’ Future Force Design Review
Official reveals UK undertaking a ‘classified’ Future Force Design Review

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.

Leonardo CEO criticizes UK for lack of transparency on GCAP industrial plans

Leonardo CEO criticizes UK for lack of transparency on GCAP industrial plans
Leonardo CEO criticizes UK for lack of transparency on GCAP industrial plans

Roberto 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.

United Kingdom military is not AI-ready, procurement minister says

United Kingdom military is not AI-ready, procurement minister says
United Kingdom military is not AI-ready, procurement minister says

James Cartlidge also described a tweak to the acquisition process for high-tech platforms that allow military tech experts to play “failsafe watchdog.”

UK pledges additional 10,000 FPV and one way attack drones for Ukraine

UK pledges additional 10,000 FPV and one way attack drones for Ukraine
UK pledges additional 10,000 FPV and one way attack drones for Ukraine

A 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.

UK drone test squadron fails to register a single test since forming in 2020: Procurement minister

UK drone test squadron fails to register a single test since forming in 2020: Procurement minister
UK drone test squadron fails to register a single test since forming in 2020: Procurement minister

“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.

What about Taurus missiles for Ukraine? The 1 question Germany’s chancellor hears on repeat

What about Taurus missiles for Ukraine? The 1 question Germany’s chancellor hears on repeat
What about Taurus missiles for Ukraine? The 1 question Germany’s chancellor hears on repeat

“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.”

UK invites industry bids for New Medium Helicopter, sets 2025 contract date

UK invites industry bids for New Medium Helicopter, sets 2025 contract date
UK invites industry bids for New Medium Helicopter, sets 2025 contract date

The 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.

UK launches military drone strategy backed by $5.7 billion funding and Ukraine analysis

UK launches military drone strategy backed by $5.7 billion funding and Ukraine analysis
UK launches military drone strategy backed by $5.7 billion funding and Ukraine analysis

“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.

UK leans on 4 land export ‘priority campaigns’ to chase $26 billion prize: Army chief

UK leans on 4 land export ‘priority campaigns’ to chase $26 billion prize: Army chief
UK leans on 4 land export ‘priority campaigns’ to chase $26 billion prize: Army chief

The 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.

‘Hard going’: Ukraine counteroffensive tested by Russian army rebuild, says UK senior official

‘Hard going’: Ukraine counteroffensive tested by Russian army rebuild, says UK senior official
‘Hard going’: Ukraine counteroffensive tested by Russian army rebuild, says UK senior official

“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.

Revealed: First look at UK’s Challenger 3 main battle tank prototype

Revealed: First look at UK’s Challenger 3 main battle tank prototype
Revealed: First look at UK’s Challenger 3 main battle tank prototype

“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.

In first, UK test fires $13-per-strike DragonFire laser weapon against ‘aerial targets’

In first, UK test fires $13-per-strike DragonFire laser weapon against ‘aerial targets’
In first, UK test fires $13-per-strike DragonFire laser weapon against ‘aerial targets’

The 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.

No contracts yet: UK’s plan for thousands of drones for Ukraine in ‘very early stages’

No contracts yet: UK’s plan for thousands of drones for Ukraine in ‘very early stages’
No contracts yet: UK’s plan for thousands of drones for Ukraine in ‘very early stages’

Despite 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.

Strikes in Yemen may be first for US, UK but not designed to escalate conflict: Analysts

Strikes in Yemen may be first for US, UK but not designed to escalate conflict: Analysts
Strikes in Yemen may be first for US, UK but not designed to escalate conflict: Analysts

Bryden 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.”