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.

United Kingdom reveals ‘sovereign’ nuclear warhead name: Astraea

United Kingdom reveals ‘sovereign’ nuclear warhead name: Astraea
United Kingdom reveals ‘sovereign’ nuclear warhead name: Astraea

The future warhead to replace submarine-launched Trident systems will be developed as a “sovereign” capability and “in parallel” with the US W93/Mk7 warhead, according to the Defence Nuclear Enterprise Command Paper.

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.”

Coproduction in Ukraine too hard? Here’s a solution: Build in NATO

Coproduction in Ukraine too hard? Here’s a solution: Build in NATO
Coproduction in Ukraine too hard? Here’s a solution: Build in NATO

In this op-ed, Kateryna Bondar argues coproduction in NATO countries could help Ukraine receive the defense materiel it needs while providing benefits to the host countries.

NATO lauds ‘unprecedented’ jump in defense spending, new members and public popularity

NATO lauds ‘unprecedented’ jump in defense spending, new members and public popularity
NATO lauds ‘unprecedented’ jump in defense spending, new members and public popularity

Poland, in particular, led the way in defense expenditure in 2023, using nearly 4 percent of its GDP on an arms spending spree, according to the alliance’s annual report.

Bell and Leonardo eye NATO’s Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability concept award

Bell and Leonardo eye NATO’s Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability concept award
Bell and Leonardo eye NATO’s Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability concept award

NGRC requirements mainly cover a future medium lift helicopter that costs no more than €35 million ($38.2 million) per aircraft and provisionally planned to enter service between 2035 and 2040.

NATO raises Swedish flag as Nordic nation takes ‘rightful place’ in alliance

NATO raises Swedish flag as Nordic nation takes ‘rightful place’ in alliance
NATO raises Swedish flag as Nordic nation takes ‘rightful place’ in alliance

Sweden brings to the alliance high-tech, high north fighting capabilities, but says it won’t host nuclear weapons as part of NATO’s deterrence strategy.

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.

‘Political decisions’: Saab CEO says NATO rushed E-3 replacement decision in favor of E-7 Wedgetail

‘Political decisions’: Saab CEO says NATO rushed E-3 replacement decision in favor of E-7 Wedgetail
‘Political decisions’: Saab CEO says NATO rushed E-3 replacement decision in favor of E-7 Wedgetail

“We were asked to put in our offer and then they [the NATO Support and Procurement Agency] didn’t really go into discussion with us, because they had already decided they had to go and buy Wedgetail,” Micael Johansson, CEO at Saab told Breaking Defense.

EXCLUSIVE: F-35A officially certified to carry nuclear bomb

EXCLUSIVE: F-35A officially certified to carry nuclear bomb
EXCLUSIVE: F-35A officially certified to carry nuclear bomb

The designation marks the first time that a stealth fighter can carry a nuclear weapon, in this case the B61-12 thermonuclear gravity bomb.

Sweden officially joins NATO as 32nd alliance member

Sweden officially joins NATO as 32nd alliance member
Sweden officially joins NATO as 32nd alliance member

The formal membership comes less than two years after Sweden first applied, after years of military neutrality.

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.

European Commission’s first industrial strategy aims to break US dependence, deter Russia

European Commission’s first industrial strategy aims to break US dependence, deter Russia
European Commission’s first industrial strategy aims to break US dependence, deter Russia

The strategy may include strong language about guarding against the threat from Moscow, but it also acknowledges a long — and pricey — road ahead for Europe’s defense industry.