NATO mine countermeasure group wraps Baltic exercise
Exercise Northern Coasts 2025 concluded in Copenhagen on 14 September after two weeks of multinational naval training aimed at strengthening interoperability and security in the Baltic Sea, NATO stated.
Swinney deflects pressure over public contracts sent abroad
At First Minister’s Questions, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar pressed John Swinney to commit that future public contracts for ferries and buses would be awarded to Scottish yards and manufacturers rather than sent overseas.
Warship visit signals deeper UK-Philippines defence ties
The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that HMS Richmond, a Type 23 frigate deployed with the UK Carrier Strike Group, has visited Manila as part of efforts to strengthen defence cooperation and expand trade links with the Philippines.
Lochhead stops short on shipbuilding finance
Labour MSP Paul Sweeney pressed the Scottish Government to adopt new measures, but Business Minister Richard Lochhead limited his response to highlighting existing support and ongoing discussions.
Committee warned on UK sub commitments to AUKUS
The Defence Committee has been told that short-term pressures on U.S. and UK submarine fleets could complicate the delivery of AUKUS commitments, particularly the planned Submarine Rotational Force-West in Australia.
Greene presses Scot Gov on stalled £14.2m Ferguson funding
Scottish Liberal Democrat economy spokesperson Jamie Greene has pressed the First Minister to explain why most of the £14.2 million promised for upgrades at Ferguson Marine has still not been delivered.
Britain’s maritime revival explored
Britain’s maritime revival is gathering pace. In the latest edition of The Broadside, William Freer explores how recent shipbuilding exports and Royal Navy deployments signal a turning point for UK sea power.
Drone boat deploys towed array sonar autonomously
The Plymouth-built Oceanus12 uncrewed surface vessel became the first USV to autonomously launch and recover a thin-lined towed acoustic array.
Why Ferguson Marine could have bid for new ferry contract
Claims Ferguson Marine was too small to bid for the Northern Isles ferries are misleading, Paul Sweeney MSP argued, as the yard could utilise nearby infrastructure, a common practice in shipbuilding.
UK looking to secure Vietnam port services for Royal Navy
The Ministry of Defence has issued an early procurement notice outlining its intention to establish long-term port service support for Royal Navy vessels operating in and around Vietnam, the UK Defence Journal understands.
