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Defence industry representatives have warned MPs that fragmented procurement decisions and short-term ordering practices are damaging UK shipbuilding, limiting productivity gains and weakening the wider industrial supply chain.
Legislation laid before Parliament would create a standalone Defence Housing Service, extend the Armed Forces Covenant across government and trigger what ministers describe as the largest renewal of military housing in a generation.
The first of four new Islay-class ferries has been formally handed over to Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited, marking a key milestone in efforts to renew Scotland’s ferry fleet.
Scotland’s defence industry has received negligible public-sector support in Scotland despite delivering billions in economic value and tens of thousands of skilled jobs, MPs were told during a Scottish Affairs Committee evidence session on defence skills and employment.
Conservative MP Ben Obese-Jecty warned that ongoing problems with the Ajax armoured vehicle programme risk leaving General Dynamics’ Merthyr Tydfil plant without work.
Ministers say the UK is ready to use sanctions, regulatory action and “interdiction powers” to target Russia’s shadow fleet, after backing the interception of the sanctioned vessel Bella 1 in the North Atlantic.
British drone manufacturer Windracers has unveiled a major endurance upgrade for its dual-use ULTRA unmanned aircraft, enabling flights of up to 2,000 kilometres with heavy payloads, strengthening its role across defence, humanitarian and research missions.
BAE Systems has secured a $184 million full-rate production contract from the US Marine Corps to build more Amphibious Combat Vehicles, expanding the ACV-30 fleet to more than 100 vehicles.
Defence industry representatives have warned MPs that Scotland’s defence sector is facing acute skills shortages, with demand for specialist engineers and welders far outstripping current training pipelines and workforce planning.
EXCLUSIVE - Scotland’s marine vessel replacement project plans have shifted from a late-2025 expectation to an open-ended “coming years” timeline, with the official notice updated following UK Defence Journal inquiries.
