British drone manufacturer Windracers has unveiled a major endurance upgrade for its dual-use ULTRA unmanned aircraft, enabling flights of up to 2,000 kilometres with heavy payloads, strengthening its role across defence, humanitarian and research missions.

LATEST NEWS

BAE wins $184m US Marines ACV production contract

BAE Systems has secured a $184 million full-rate production contract from the US Marine Corps to build more Amphibious Combat Vehicles, expanding the ACV-30 fleet to more than 100 vehicles.

Defence firms warn Scotland faces critical skills shortages

Defence industry representatives have warned MPs that Scotland’s defence sector is facing acute skills shortages, with demand for specialist engineers and welders far outstripping current training pipelines and workforce planning.

Scottish Government delay procurement of new ships

EXCLUSIVE - Scotland’s marine vessel replacement project plans have shifted from a late-2025 expectation to an open-ended “coming years” timeline, with the official notice updated following UK Defence Journal inquiries.

UK says Arctic defence policy covered by 2025 review

The Ministry of Defence has said the UK’s approach to security in the Arctic and High North is now being addressed through the 2025 Strategic Defence Review, rather than through a standalone update of its 2022 High North strategy.

Babcock teams restore battlefield ambulances in eight weeks

British Army teams have recognised Babcock engineers at Donnington and Ashchurch after two Rapid Battlefield Ambulances were fully regenerated to operational standard under severe time pressure, restoring overseas casualty evacuation capability.

MPs told warship building outside Scotland is difficult

Efforts to recreate the UK’s complex warship manufacturing capability outside Scotland would face major structural and skills barriers, industry representatives have told MPs, underlining the strategic importance of shipbuilding centres on the Clyde and at Rosyth.

NAVAL NEWS

Defence firms warn Scotland faces critical skills shortages

Defence industry representatives have warned MPs that Scotland’s defence sector is facing acute skills shortages, with demand for specialist engineers and welders far outstripping current training pipelines and workforce planning.

Scottish Government delay procurement of new ships

EXCLUSIVE - Scotland’s marine vessel replacement project plans have shifted from a late-2025 expectation to an open-ended “coming years” timeline, with the official notice updated following UK Defence Journal inquiries.

UK says Arctic defence policy covered by 2025 review

The Ministry of Defence has said the UK’s approach to security in the Arctic and High North is now being addressed through the 2025 Strategic Defence Review, rather than through a standalone update of its 2022 High North strategy.

MPs told warship building outside Scotland is difficult

Efforts to recreate the UK’s complex warship manufacturing capability outside Scotland would face major structural and skills barriers, industry representatives have told MPs, underlining the strategic importance of shipbuilding centres on the Clyde and at Rosyth.

AVIATION NEWS

British Ultra heavy-lift drone extends range to 2,000km

British drone manufacturer Windracers has unveiled a major endurance upgrade for its dual-use ULTRA unmanned aircraft, enabling flights of up to 2,000 kilometres with heavy payloads, strengthening its role across defence, humanitarian and research missions.

UK and Sweden step up Baltic defence cooperation

The UK and Sweden will deepen cooperation on Baltic and High North security, with Defence Secretary John Healey warning that Russia’s renewed military activity in the region demands closer European coordination

UK and Poland agree deeper missile defence cooperation

The UK and Poland have agreed to deepen cooperation on air and missile defence and expand helicopter training links, as both countries look to strengthen their ability to counter airborne threats.

New officer takes command of the Red Arrows

Wing Commander Sasha Nash has taken command of the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, becoming the new Officer Commanding of the Red Arrows as the display unit prepares for the 2026 season.

LAND NEWS

BAE wins $184m US Marines ACV production contract

BAE Systems has secured a $184 million full-rate production contract from the US Marine Corps to build more Amphibious Combat Vehicles, expanding the ACV-30 fleet to more than 100 vehicles.

Babcock teams restore battlefield ambulances in eight weeks

British Army teams have recognised Babcock engineers at Donnington and Ashchurch after two Rapid Battlefield Ambulances were fully regenerated to operational standard under severe time pressure, restoring overseas casualty evacuation capability.

Rutte urges deeper NATO-EU defence cooperation

The NATO Secretary General has told MEPs that closer cooperation between NATO and the EU is essential to boost defence production, sustain support for Ukraine and strengthen European security.

UK-led Ukraine force set out, deployment tied to ceasefire

Ministers have defined the mission of a UK- and France-led multinational force for Ukraine, confirming it would only deploy after a cessation of hostilities and subject to a parliamentary vote.

Features

Tucked on the edge of Scotland’s capital, this facility has quietly transformed into one of the UK's most important defence hubs, shaping the future of air combat and surveillance. We were given access to see what goes on behind the scenes.

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