UK to ‘step up’ in European defence, says Scottish Secretary
"The challenge that President Trump has given to Europe is to step up and the Prime Minister said we'll accept that challenge and step up", Secretary of State for Scotland Ian Murray MP told us.
UK launches new defence industry hub for SMEs
The initiative will have a major impact on Scotland, where the MOD currently spends £2.14 billion annually, including £32 million with SMEs, directly supporting more than 11,000 jobs.
BAE awarded £7m contract for lifejackets and buoyancy aids
The Ministry of Defence has awarded a contract worth up to £7m to BAE Systems Surface Ships for the supply and support of personal flotation devices, including lifejackets, buoyancy aids, and flotation devices for civilian use across maritime and amphibious platforms.
Royal Navy deploys drone tech from Japanese warship
The Royal Navy’s Mine and Threat Exploitation Group (MTXG) has successfully launched and operated uncrewed underwater vehicles from a Japanese mine countermeasures vessel for the first time.
Norwegian fuel supplier refuses U.S. warships over Ukraine
Haltbakk Bunkers will cease supplying fuel to U.S. forces in Norway and American ships docking in Norwegian ports, citing dissatisfaction with recent U.S. policy towards Ukraine.
MOD to award Royal Navy maintenance contracts
The Ministry of Defence intends to award a contract for maritime maintenance, repair, and overhaul as part of ongoing support for the Royal Navy's fleet.
Royal Navy gets more uncrewed vessels for minehunting
The Royal Navy’s Mine and Threat Exploitation Group (MTXG) has received three Iver4 580 uncrewed underwater vehicles (UUVs) from L3 Harris.
American supercarrier back at sea after repairs
The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman has resumed operations in the U.S. Sixth Fleet area of operations after departing Souda Bay, Greece.
Further decline in ‘militarily useful’ British vessels
The number of ‘militarily useful’ British-registered vessels has continued to decline, falling from 495 in 2023 to 475 by the end of 2024.
Just how big are the British armed forces?
The latest figures list 10 submarines, 70 naval vessels, 3,316 armoured vehicles, 48 Army battalions, 556 fixed-wing aircraft, 268 rotary-wing aircraft, and 183 uncrewed aircraft systems.
