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
Thai carrier to receive Thales integrated management upgrade
Thales and Universal Communication Systems have signed a contract to deliver a new Integrated Platform Management System for the Royal Thai Navy’s aircraft carrier HTMS Chakri Naruebet.
Anduril and Edge in Omen drone production push
Omen is a hover to cruise autonomous air vehicle that the partners say offers the endurance and payload of larger systems within a compact airframe.
NATO drills sharpen Baltic anti submarine readiness
NATO has launched Playbook Merlin 25, a major anti submarine warfare exercise in the Baltic Sea involving submarines, surface ships and aircraft from nine Allied nations.
Military examiners to help cut UK driving test backlog
The government has announced that military driving examiners will help deliver up to 6,500 extra driving tests across England over the next year, in a joint initiative between the Department for Transport and the Ministry of Defence.
UK tests national response to hazardous substance attacks
The UK has carried out a major national exercise to test its response to a large-scale incident involving chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear or explosive materials, Counter Terrorism Policing stated.
Fleet Solid Support programme clears design milestone
Completion of this stage allows production to begin on the three 216-metre ships, which will provide stores and munitions to Royal Navy vessels at sea.
Saab wins Carl-Gustaf order from Denmark
The procurement covers the weapon system, associated ammunition and training kit intended to support Danish forces, according to Saab.
No plans to raise minimum military recruitment age
The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that it will not raise the minimum age of recruitment into the Armed Forces, maintaining the current threshold that allows individuals to join from the age of 16 with parental consent.
British Army recruit numbers drop 38% since 2019
Army training figures reveal continued recruitment shortfalls and rising attrition, with intake well below pre-pandemic levels and one in three recruits failing to complete training.
MOD reveals number of senior officers across UK forces
472 senior officers, including generals, admirals and air marshals, currently serve across the Armed Forces, new MOD figures show.
