George Allison
George Allison is the founder and editor of the UK Defence Journal. He holds a degree in Cyber Security from Glasgow Caledonian University and specialises in naval and cyber security topics. George has appeared on national radio and television to provide commentary on defence and security issues. Twitter: @geoallison
Britain drops plans for Multi-Role Strike Ships
The Defence Investment Plan drops the bespoke Multi-Role Strike Ship as too complex and commits the UK to a joint amphibious fleet with the Netherlands, built around the Dutch-led Amphibious Transport Ship programme.
RAF to retire Shadow spy plane fleet to make way for drones
The RAF Shadow R1 surveillance aircraft are among older ISR platforms to be retired under the Defence Investment Plan, with the MoD planning to hand much of the role to uncrewed systems over time.
Type 45 Destroyers will not see service life extended
The Royal Navy will not extend its six Type 45 destroyers, which begin retiring from 2035, with an extra GBP 1.3bn going into the hybrid fleet meant to replace them over the following decade, officials said.
Army Wildcat helicopter to be retired
The Army's Wildcat battlefield reconnaissance helicopters will begin leaving service from 2027, with the MoD saying uncrewed systems will take over the job of scouting ahead of friendly lines.
Britain boosting homeland missile defence in new plans
A GBP 790m investment will revamp the UK's air and missile defences, buying new radars and sensors, upgrading Sea Viper on the Type 45s, expanding counter-drone systems and building a new air, space and missile defence operations centre.
Britain to boost focus on laser weapons
The UK will invest in Directed Energy Weapons as part of a GBP 790m push to protect the UK homeland and overseas bases from air, drone and missile threats, pointing to lasers as a low-cost answer to drone swarms.
Starmer backs 5 billion drone overhaul for UK forces in DIP
The Prime Minister will launch the Defence Investment Plan with more than 5 billion over four years for drones and autonomous systems across the Royal Navy, Army and RAF.
France picks THUNDART for Long-Range Strike
MBDA and Safran have entered final contract talks with the DGA to supply THUNDART, a guided rocket reaching up to 150km, as France replaces its ageing LRU launchers with a sovereign deep-strike system.
UK to buy drone command warships instead of new destroyers
The Royal Navy's planned Type 83 destroyer has been dropped in favour of six new Common Combat Vessels built to coordinate drones, under the government's long-delayed Defence Investment Plan, the Sunday Times was first to report.
UK commits to new assault ships in joint effort with Dutch
Britain is planning new larger Amphibious Transport Ships to support Commando operations, aiming to create a new combined fleet with the Netherlands.
