Second upgraded Avenger takes flight at Culdrose
The second of four Avenger TMk1 aircraft undergoing extensive modification at RNAS Culdrose completed its first in-service flight in April.
The NATO Innovation Badge
NATO is developing a new quality assurance system for counter-drone and other defence technologies, designed to give nations a reliable way to identify which systems have been properly tested and are worth procuring.
F-35 bomb delivery date withheld on security grounds
The government has said it is withholding the delivery date for the Small Diameter Bomb II, procured as an interim standoff capability for the F-35 Lightning fleet.
Sweden gifts 16 Gripens to Ukraine with UK industry backing
Sweden will gift 16 Gripen fighter jets to Ukraine and facilitate the purchase of a further 20 new aircraft, in a deal that will see essential components built in Britain and support more than 5,000 UK jobs, the government has stated.
UK and Poland sign defence treaty due to Russian threat
Britain and Poland have signed a landmark defence treaty promising to defend each other by military means, with both nations naming Russia as the most significant long-term threat to European security.
DSACEUR warns NATO must match Ukraine drone output
Air Chief Marshal Sir John Stringer told #DroneSummit2026 that if NATO's 32 nations cannot outproduce Russia, "frankly we should be shot."
NATO looks to civil industry to scale drone production
Tarja Jaakkola, NATO's Assistant Secretary General for Defence Industry, Innovation and Armaments said that NATO will matchmake defence startups with civilian manufacturers to solve a production capacity gap.
Latvia drone range pushing NATO industry to meet reality
Major Modris Kairišs, Head of Latvia's Autonomous Systems Competence Centre, said ahead of #DroneSummit2026 that European counter-drone companies are falling behind battlefield realities.
NATO accelerates counter-drone testing and capacity
Tarja Jaakkola, NATO's Assistant Secretary General for Defence Industry, Innovation and Armaments, told #DroneSummit2026 that the alliance is speeding up and scaling up counter-drone capabilities.
Carns warns NATO must rewire for drone war at Riga summit
UK Armed Forces Minister Al Carns told #DroneSummit2026 that NATO must fundamentally restructure around drone warfare, warning that Europe risks failing to learn the lessons of Ukraine
