Scottish Defence Procurement & Supply Chain Summit 2026
MORE NEWS
Subsea attack could rival COVID damage, Babcock warns
Babcock has warned that the UK lacks the escort fleet, submarines and aircraft needed for sustained operations, and that an attack on subsea infrastructure could cause economic damage comparable to COVID-19.
British Army charters ferry for first time in 20 years
More than 1,400 British soldiers have boarded a chartered civilian passenger ferry to travel to a major military exercise in Germany, the first time the British Army has used civilian sea transport on this scale in over two decades.
Ajax vehicle acceptance restarts after investigation
Ajax vehicle acceptance has restarted after an investigation found soldier symptoms during Exercise Titan Storm were caused by a combination of factors rather than a single mechanical fault.
Combined Naval Event 2026
NAVAL NEWS
Aircraft carrier arrives in Scotland to load ammunition
HMS Prince of Wales has arrived in Scotland to load ammunition ahead of Operation Firecrest, the Royal Navy's major deployment to the North Atlantic and High North designed to deter Russia.
Royal Navy receives first sizable uncrewed vessel fleet
The UK has received its first fleet of 20 uncrewed vessels under Project Beehive, with the First Sea Lord confirming a wargame showed missile capacity tripling and mission success rising markedly.
UK launches new maritime force to defend Europe
Naval chiefs from across Northern Europe are to launch a multinational maritime force to defend Northwest Europe and the High North with the UK at the helm.
BAE Systems backs space and Type 26 as keys to High North
BAE Systems has told MPs the UK-Norway Type 26 partnership and space-based surveillance are the keys to credible High North defence, while revealing a new dry dock maintenance deal in Norway.
MP calls for increased number of new frigates
The MP for Dunfermline and Dollar has called for more Type 31 frigates, greater use of east coast assets, and a single funded High North strategy.
AVIATION NEWS
NATO scrambles 500 times against Russian jets in one year
NATO air forces executed more than 500 scrambles in response to potential air threats in 2025.
UK has significant capability gaps, Lockheed Martin warns
Lockheed Martin has warned of significant capability gaps facing UK forces in the High North, including risks to airborne early warning coverage.
UK completes initial F-35B procurement
Lockheed Martin has delivered the 46th, 47th and 48th F-35B aircraft to the United Kingdom, fulfilling the initial procurement phase of the programme and completing the first contracted batch of jets for the UK.
Northrop Grumman swaps autonomy software mid-flight
Northrop Grumman has demonstrated a mid-flight swap of autonomy software on its Talon IQ testbed aircraft, transitioning between software from two different companies while maintaining continuous operational performance.
Defence industry warns of paralysis as DIP delay bites
Britain's defence industry is holding back investment, recruitment and planning decisions while it waits for the long-delayed Defence Investment Plan, senior figures told the Scottish Affairs Committee on Wednesday.
LAND NEWS
Ajax vehicle acceptance restarts after investigation
Ajax vehicle acceptance has restarted after an investigation found soldier symptoms during Exercise Titan Storm were caused by a combination of factors rather than a single mechanical fault.
New ammo factory feasibility studies yet to be contracted
The UK has confirmed that feasibility study contracts for six new munitions factories announced in 2025 have not yet been placed, with investment decisions not expected until the third quarter of 2026.
Defence shut out as overseas students fill UK courses
UK defence losing access to many engineering grads as overseas students dominate courses and often can’t obtain required security clearances.
Scottish Government policy freezing defence funding
Scotland's defence industry faces funding freezes and advertising bans that do not exist south of the border.
Defence workers being refused bank accounts
Defence workers are being refused bank accounts by challenger banks and defence firms cannot find landlords willing to rent them property, senior industry figures told the Scottish Affairs Committee on Wednesday.




































