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
Social value weighting doubled in government contracts
Companies bidding for central government contracts will be scored twice as heavily on the local benefits they deliver, with the social value weighting rising from 10% to 20% for contracts worth £5 million or more, according to the Cabinet Office.
Typhoons launched six times on QRA last year
Royal Air Force Typhoons on Quick Reaction Alert were launched six times during the 2025-26 financial year, half of them to track Russian aircraft approaching NATO's area of interest, according to the Ministry of Defence.
Navy plans new safety authority for uncrewed vessels
The Royal Navy is seeking industry input on establishing a Platform Authority for maritime uncrewed systems, intended to provide the governance, engineering expertise, certification support and through-life assurance needed to operate current and future capabilities safely.
NATO rehearses hunting and killing targets on eastern border
NATO forces have rehearsed the process of finding, tracking and destroying targets across air, land and maritime domains in a training activity over the alliance's eastern flank, drawing fighters, tankers and surveillance aircraft from across the alliance.
First combat medic course run aboard a Royal Navy ship
Nineteen medics from Portsmouth Flotilla ships have completed the first Combat Medic Course taught partly at sea, with practical training aboard HMS Queen Elizabeth. It is the eighth time the course has run, and the first on a warship.
Russian subs submerge in harbour fearing Ukrainian drones
Three of the Russian Black Sea Fleet's four Kilo class submarines have partially submerged inside their own harbour at Novorossiysk, according to British Defence Intelligence.
American A-10 escorts nuclear missile submarine
The US Navy has released images of an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II escorting the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine USS Nebraska on the surface in the Pacific, part of an armed airborne escort exercise.
Kyiv defence business centre to open, minister says
Answering questions on the UK/EU-Ukraine Defence Innovation Corridor roundtable, Luke Pollard pointed to a business centre about to open in Kyiv to give British SMEs access to Ukrainian industry.
Man jailed over reconnaissance at UK military academy
Mohammed Asim Bashir has been given a life sentence with a minimum of 17 years after scouting the UK Defence Academy alongside the man who later attacked the Heaton Park synagogue.
Union warns 100 base caretakers could lose jobs and homes
The PCS union says more than 100 military base caretakers face losing their jobs and tied homes under MOD plans to abolish 125 caretaker posts across the reserve estate.
