Scottish Defence Procurement & Supply Chain Summit 2026
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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.
Stop-start procurement damaged shipbuilding skills pipeline
Decades of last-minute and stop-start defence procurement have hollowed out the shipbuilding skills pipeline in Scotland, senior industry figures told the Scottish Affairs Committee.
NEWSLETTER
NAVAL 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.
Serious risks identified in new British submarine project
MPs warn AUKUS faces serious risks from funding gaps, slipping investment at Barrow and insufficient political leadership from the top of government.
New British warship project awaiting delayed DIP
The Royal Navy's future Type 83 destroyer programme remains under review, with no confirmed timeline for its outline business case, after the government today directed a parliamentary question to a January answer.
US Navy commissions 26th Virginia-class submarine
The US Navy commissioned USS Idaho (SSN 799), the 26th Virginia-class fast-attack submarine, during a ceremony at Naval Submarine Base New London, Connecticut on Saturday.
AVIATION NEWS
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.
British jets scrambled as Russian drones at NATO border
British Typhoon jets were scrambled from Romania and authorised to engage Russian drones near the Ukrainian border in the early hours of Saturday morning, though both aircraft returned to base without firing.
UK rejects suggestion British jets downed Russian drones
UPDATED: The UK has clarified that both RAF Typhoons returned to base without engaging any targets, after Romania's Ministry of National Defence reported the jets were authorised to engage drones near the Ukrainian border and that multiple explosions subsequently followed.
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.
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