NAVAL NEWS
HMS Artful crew recognised during sponsor’s visit
The crew of hunter-killer submarine HMS Artful hosted their sponsor, Lady Amanda Zambellas, during a visit to HM Naval Base Clyde, according to a Royal Navy news update.
UK responds to Canadian warning on submarine vulnerability
The UK has acknowledged the growing challenges facing submarines in an era of rapid technological change, following comments from Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee, commander of the Royal Canadian Navy, who warned of a likely future where oceans become "effectively transparent and submarines are no longer allowed to hide".
Royal Navy declares Sea Venom missile ready for use
The missile can now be deployed on front-line duties with Wildcat helicopters, enhancing the Fleet Air Arm’s striking power.
AVIATION NEWS
RAF Reaper drones retire after 18 years of operations
The platform made its final operational flight following more than 173,000 flying hours on combat operations in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria.
MOD awards contract to sustain NEXUS Air Information Platform
The Ministry of Defence has awarded a £19.68 million contract to SixWorks of Farnborough to sustain and grow the NEXUS to Core (N2C) Air Information Platform (AIP).
Pratt & Whitney speeds future American fighter jet engine
Pratt & Whitney is accelerating development of its XA103 engine for the U.S. Air Force’s Next Generation Adaptive Propulsion (NGAP) programme.
LAND NEWS
Defence Minister visits RBSL Telford site
Luke Pollard MP, Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, visited Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL) in Telford this week.
NATO commanders gather in Finland to shape land power
Senior NATO land force leaders met in Rovaniemi, Finland, for the semi-annual Land Corps Commanders’ Conference (LC3), focused on advancing new technologies and strengthening deterrence along the Alliance’s eastern flank, the UK Defence Journal understands.
Poland cleared to buy $780m of Javelin missiles from U.S.
Poland has requested 2,506 FGM-148F Javelin missiles and 253 Javelin Lightweight Command Launch Units.