Babcock International has confirmed that chief executive David Lockwood will retire by the end of the year, bringing to a close a five-year turnaround that has reshaped the defence engineering group and driven a sharp recovery in its financial performance.

LATEST NEWS

Eight Polish helicopter pilots to train in UK from 2026

Eight Polish military helicopter pilots will begin training in the UK from the 2026 to 2027 training year, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed in a written parliamentary answer.

Dalzell steel shortage judged low risk to FSS ship build

The Ministry of Defence has said the current shortage of raw materials at Liberty Steel’s Dalzell plant is assessed as posing a low risk to the construction of the Royal Navy’s future Fleet Solid Support ships.

MV Isle of Islay sails on homecoming voyage to Scotland

The MV Isle of Islay has begun her maiden voyage from the Cemre shipyard in Turkey, setting sail for Scotland following her official handover.

UK approvals required for US use of bases

The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that decisions on whether the United States can use its military bases in the UK for operational purposes are taken on a case-by-case basis and require UK approval.

Report urges reforms to unlock SME role in UK defence

A new report by Babcock and the University of Exeter shows that small and medium sized enterprises could play a significantly larger role in strengthening UK defence resilience, but warns that structural barriers continue to limit their participation.

JFD and ST Engineering expand naval cooperation in Singapore

JFD Global has signed a new agreement with ST Engineering Marine aimed at widening their long-running cooperation in Singapore and extending collaboration into international markets.

NAVAL NEWS

Babcock chief to step down after driving huge turnaround

Babcock International has confirmed that chief executive David Lockwood will retire by the end of the year, bringing to a close a five-year turnaround that has reshaped the defence engineering group and driven a sharp recovery in its financial performance.

MV Isle of Islay sails on homecoming voyage to Scotland

The MV Isle of Islay has begun her maiden voyage from the Cemre shipyard in Turkey, setting sail for Scotland following her official handover.

Report urges reforms to unlock SME role in UK defence

A new report by Babcock and the University of Exeter shows that small and medium sized enterprises could play a significantly larger role in strengthening UK defence resilience, but warns that structural barriers continue to limit their participation.

JFD and ST Engineering expand naval cooperation in Singapore

JFD Global has signed a new agreement with ST Engineering Marine aimed at widening their long-running cooperation in Singapore and extending collaboration into international markets.

AVIATION NEWS

Eight Polish helicopter pilots to train in UK from 2026

Eight Polish military helicopter pilots will begin training in the UK from the 2026 to 2027 training year, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed in a written parliamentary answer.

UK approvals required for US use of bases

The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that decisions on whether the United States can use its military bases in the UK for operational purposes are taken on a case-by-case basis and require UK approval.

Britain to test launch new ballistic missiles next year

The Ministry of Defence has set out new details on its Nightfall deep-strike missile programme for Ukraine, confirming development contracts will be awarded this spring, with production expected to begin in late 2027.

UK deploys Typhoon jets to Qatar in Middle East

The deployment involves 12 Squadron, the joint UK–Qatar Typhoon unit, and is being carried out at the invitation of the Qatari government.

LAND NEWS

Dalzell steel shortage judged low risk to FSS ship build

The Ministry of Defence has said the current shortage of raw materials at Liberty Steel’s Dalzell plant is assessed as posing a low risk to the construction of the Royal Navy’s future Fleet Solid Support ships.

Report urges reforms to unlock SME role in UK defence

A new report by Babcock and the University of Exeter shows that small and medium sized enterprises could play a significantly larger role in strengthening UK defence resilience, but warns that structural barriers continue to limit their participation.

Ajax programme boss sacked after safety failures

The senior official responsible for the British Army Ajax armoured vehicle programme has been removed from post following a ministerial review that found serious failures in how safety risks were reported to ministers.

GRAYBURN to cover weapons from pistols to machine guns

The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that Project GRAYBURN, the British Army future small arms programme, will encompass the full dismounted close combat weapons portfolio, ranging from pistols through to machine guns.

Features

Tucked on the edge of Scotland’s capital, this facility has quietly transformed into one of the UK's most important defence hubs, shaping the future of air combat and surveillance. We were given access to see what goes on behind the scenes.

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