Shipbuilding boom risks another bust, Sweeney warns

A surge in shipbuilding announcements could leave Britain with too many yards, too little sustained work and another damaging boom-and-bust cycle, Paul Sweeney MSP has warned.

At what point does Britain say enough is enough over Russia?

Russia has poisoned British citizens, burned property, hacked hospitals and menaced an aircraft carrier, Graeme Downie told the Commons, and the government still will not say what would cross the threshold.

Babcock takes two national engineering skills awards

The defence company won Large Employer Skills Champion and New Talent Inspiration Programme at the Enginuity Skills Awards 2026.
Large gray aircraft carrier on calm blue water with several helicopters on the flight deck and rocky coastline in the background, flags at the stern.

New British assault ships to enter service in 2030s

The first ship of the planned joint Anglo-Dutch amphibious fleet is intended to enter service in the 2030s, Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry Luke Pollard has told the House of Commons.

UK quiet on what Russian action would cross threshold

Asked by Graeme Downie MP to define sub-threshold and to say which hostile activities would sit above it, the Ministry of Defence pointed to external reports and declined to elaborate.

Navantia pitches Belfast to build UK amphibious ships

The Harland and Wolff owner says the £98.5m recapitalised yard gives Britain a proven, sovereign capability to build the new UK-Dutch fleet.
Large gray aircraft carrier–style ship sailing in the open sea with three helicopters on its flight deck under a partly cloudy sky.

UK shipyards to build new amphibious ships in huge deal

Britain and the Netherlands will each operate four of the 15,000-tonne vessels, built in UK yards to a Dutch design under a pact signed at Ankara.

Submarine fleet size conditional on Barrow output, MPs told

Delivery of the Royal Navy's next-generation attack submarine fleet is conditional on productivity improvements at the Barrow shipyard, Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry Luke Pollard has told the House of Commons.
Several gray military fighter jets parked in a row on a ship's flight deck, secured with chains with the ocean in the background.

British carrier launches fighter jets to protect NATO

F-35s from HMS Prince of Wales are flying NATO air policing over Iceland, a first for a European carrier, as the UK takes new alliance commands.
Large four-engine turboprop bomber in formation with a smaller fighter jet against a clear blue sky, mid-flight left to right.

Russian Bear buzzes British aircraft carrier in Arctic

Two F-35Bs intercepted the Tu-142 after it passed low and close to the carrier, ignored radio calls and dropped tens of sonobuoys nearby.