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
Russian military flights near UK rising, defence chief says
The head of the British military has said Russia has flown as many long-range strategic aircraft near the UK's northern approaches so far in 2026 as it did in the whole of 2025, in remarks warning that the country faces its most dangerous period since the Cold War.
Starmer sets release deadline for Defence Investment Plan
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has confirmed that the government's long-awaited Defence Investment Plan will be published before the NATO Summit in July.
US Marine Corps retires its last Harrier jump jets
The United States Marine Corps has retired the AV-8B Harrier II, bringing to a close more than four decades of service for the distinctive jump jet.
Back-loading defence budget ‘a disaster’, MPs told
Putting off the bulk of Britain's planned increase in defence spending until the years immediately before the 2035 target would be a serious mistake, the Director-General of Make UK Defence Andrew Kinniburgh has warned MPs.
Defence firms being ‘de-banked’, MPs told
A growing number of British defence firms are struggling to get bank overdrafts and working capital, the Treasury Committee has heard.
Chinese student admits photographing US military jets
A University of Glasgow aeronautical engineering student has pleaded guilty in the United States to photographing military aircraft at a Nebraska air base.
UK yet to board any shadow fleet vessels
No Russian shadow fleet vessel has been boarded in British waters since the government took the power to do so, with the Ministry of Defence declining to give any figures.
Five Eyes warn of Chinese spies posing as job recruiters
Chinese military intelligence officers are posing as recruiters on sites such as LinkedIn, Indeed and Upwork to lure people with access to sensitive information into writing paid reports, the Five Eyes agencies have warned in a joint bulletin setting out how the approach works.
Navantia installs new cutting line in Methil upgrade
Navantia UK has installed a new plasma cutting line at its Methil yard in Fife as part of a GBP 27 million investment in the site, with the shipbuilder reporting a growing workforce and a recently delivered transport barge for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.
Royal Navy Merlin helicopter crashes in Devon
A Royal Navy Merlin helicopter has come down in a field near Sourton in Devon in the early hours of Wednesday, prompting a large emergency services response.
