As we approach 2024, we at the UK Defence Journal (UKDJ) find ourselves in a moment of humble reflection.

It’s almost been ten years since our inception in January 2014. I pen this not just as an author at UKDJ, but as someone who has seen our growth from a modest initiative into a recognised name in defence journalism.

When we started, the point of the website was fuelled by a simple yet compelling aim: to provide accurate, insightful defence news. The journey from then until now, achieving over 200 million page views, is a testament to the dedication and hard graft of our team. But, more crucially, it speaks to the trust you, our readers, have placed in us.

Our coverage, whether it was the humorous comparison of aircraft carriers using an image from Photoshop showing the French aircraft carrier to be a fraction of the size of the UK’s ships in May 2021 or breaking stories like the Challenger 2 tank document leak on an online game forum, has always striven to inform and, at times, provoke thought. These stories reflect our commitment to bringing essential issues to the fore but it’s always good to have a laugh.

Our journey towards maintaining the highest standards of journalism received a significant boost when NewsGuard awarded us a perfect score of 100/100 for credibility and transparency. This wasn’t just an accolade; it was a validation of our tireless efforts to uphold truth and accuracy in every article we publish. It’s a responsibility we take seriously, understanding that each story we tell contributes to the broader narrative of defence and military affairs.

We believe that transparency is crucial in journalism. This means being clear about our sources, ensuring that our readers understand where our information comes from. It’s about distinguishing opinion from news, ensuring that our readers can clearly see where analysis ends and factual reporting begins. We strive to be a source of information that our readers can turn to with confidence, knowing that what they’re reading is not just informative but also honest and straightforward.

Fact-checking is not just a task for us; it’s a fundamental aspect of our work ethic. In an era where narratives can be easily skewed, our role in cross-checking facts and debunking myths, especially on military topics, becomes even more crucial. This commitment to fact-checking not only reinforces our credibility but also helps in fostering a more informed and discerning readership.

The recognition of our credibility has had a wider impact. We are increasingly cited in parliamentary discussions, referenced by think tanks, and even utilised in academic research. This level of engagement shows the importance of maintaining high standards in journalism and the impact it can have in shaping informed public discourse on defence and military matters.

As we move forward, our dedication to maintaining these high standards of credibility and transparency remains firm. We understand that with each article, tweet, or report, we are not just sharing news; we are contributing to the fabric of informed, responsible journalism. It’s a responsibility we are honoured to bear.

This accolade is as much yours, our readers, as it is ours.

What began as George Allison’s vision has now grown into a team that includes over a dozen passionate individuals. We are a mix of writers, former and current military personnel, industry experts, and occasional contributions from government ministers to experts in their fields. Each one brings a unique perspective, helping us cover a broad spectrum of topics.

Our path hasn’t been without its challenges. As a volunteer-run organisation, we’ve faced limitations in resources and manpower. We’ve learnt, adapted, and are continuously working to bring in diverse voices and reduce negative engagements on social media. Your feedback has been invaluable in this process.

As we step into our tenth year, we remain committed to our founding principles: to provide free, unbiased, and comprehensive defence news. We owe our journey to you, our readers. Your support, critique, and engagement have shaped us.

We make mistakes, who doesn’t? But we try to learn from them and hope you’ll be there as we do.

Tom Dunlop
Tom Dunlop
Tom has spent the last 13 years working in the defence industry, specifically military and commercial shipbuilding. His work has taken him around Europe and the Far East, he is currently based in Scotland.

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

52 COMMENTS

  2. Congratulations UKDJ on reaching such a milestone. Hope you all have a very Merry Christmas. See you in 2024 🎄🇬🇧

  3. Well done to the ukdj team it really is a great site .Sadly for me things are changing next year and will be moving on so will miss the reading articles and posters views. However Merry Christmas everyone and all the best for 2024. 🎅

  4. I don’t post much, but UKDJ has become essential reading for me. Not only for the content of the articles but also the incredible knowledge of all who commentate on the articles.
    Long may it continue George.

    • Indeed, the articles are often the base for insightful and experienced discussion below from people who really, really know their stuff
      Often the sense is that they would like to know more, but the OSA is preventing them 😉

  8. Just for once I’m going to sincerely and justifiably use a very well worn British Politicians Bombastic, cover all Cliche. Because I think it is an accurate statement.

    UKDJ is genuinely a “World Beating” British Defence related product. 🧐

    Sorry it’s Xmas Eve I’ve survived the 10am last second shopping so I’m cooking the Turkey early and just couldn’t resist.

    Anyone want to disagree with this bold statement ?

    Or just for once can we actually be nice and all agree on something and not insist we fit ABMD / 15”42 Twins or Quantum Torpedo capacity to George’s Drone.

    Merry Xmas 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇬🇧

    • Happy Christmas and Anniversary to George, Tom, Lisa and the rest of the team.

      You should be justifiably proud of the last 10 years and here’s to the next 10…

    • Personally, I think we should not go half measures on George’s drone with a 15″. Only a multi-barrel, base bleed, GPS guided, datalinked, hypersonic 18″ rotary cannon will do.
      Quantum torpedoes will be FFBNW

    • Neither fitted for or with the BS that is common in so so many other publications. A nice sanctuary indeed for straight forward information and discussion on military matters.

  12. I only found this site 9 years ago, so I’m only a newbie but I’m rather proud to be a member despite a fair few “interruptions” at last count I was at @ 30 thousand comments but Things happened along the way….. Even so, I love this place and all that run it and comment…. It makes my life better and It’s the second site I visit every morning after Farce Book ….. Merry Christmas each and every one of you….. (except for the Herodotus bloke…. he was just nasty !!!) 😂

  13. Really enjoyed reading UKDJ for several years now: Great effort George and all your contributors, keep it up!
    We just need to be wary of the regularity of these secret missions over the Arctic at this specific time of the year. We don’t want the bad guys to pick this up and spoil things in the future😆

  14. I would like to say thank you for the great articles throughout the year and I hope you have a great Christmas. I don’t comment much but the articles and debate has become essential reading and should get the recognition it deserves.

  15. Merry Christmas George
    Only found this site recently but it is already the highlight of my day?
    One thing, please spread out articles. Perfectly good articles are hidden behind the more polarising topics due to 3 one day, none the next. I begin to feel you are doing an MOD shipbuilding with feast and famine. Would probably help comments and views as well and easily done with the delayed news and opinion pieces to fill gaps.

  16. Thank you to George, Tom and all the writers. Thank you for the articles and the drone flyovers and the website on which we can all post our sense and our inanities. I have learned a lot about defence, bits about Scottish politics, Santa’s comings and goings, rejoiced along with the military flypast in honour of George’s wedding, and so much more.

    Here’s to many more years to come.

  17. Congrats on the last 10 years, keep up the good work. Merry xmas & Happy new year to all who use & contribute to this valuable resourse.

    • Its great that you are interested in UK Defence. Guess you once served at a USAF base in GB?
      Hope you had a great Christmas!

      • Season’s Greetings,

        No, unfortunately only ever in the UK in the role of tourist, although requesting an assignment on several occasions. Multiple colleagues, who had either unaccompanied or accompanied tours, provided uniformly positive country reviews and apparently never encountered the rabidly anti-American elements of the population. Actually, only became an Anglophile and interested in UK military affairs as a result of reading W.S. Churchill’s memoirs of WW II. Although ancient history today, it was w/in living memory for some relatives and acquaintances in the 1980’s and 1990’s.

        In any event, best wishes for a happy, healthy and prosperous 2024!

  20. Where every you are in the world this Christmas and New Year, thank you for your service👊 have a good Christmas and a better New Year than the last.🥳

  24. Thank you George, Tom and all the UKDK team for a fabulous job over the past 10 years.

    My own first port of call daily is BBC news (they’re not good at reporting Defence issues) followed by UKDJ.

    Very best wishes for Christmas and 2024 to all at UKDJ… FF excellence BNW irrelevence!

  25. As a retired Charge Chief I really enjoy reading the articles and the comments, especially from some of the regulars like Daniele and Gunbuster. I rarely post, in fact this is only my 2nd, but this is one of my go to sites for keeping up to date with what is happening in UK Defence. Keep up the good work George and crew – Merry Christmas and Happy Prosperous 2024 to everyone. Andy – RN Retired.

  26. Feels like you’ve always been around…..in the nicest possible way!!!

    Well done to a great 10 years and Merry Christmas everyone!

  27. Huge thanks to George & the UKDJ team for this valuable site keeping us up to date with defence issues. Also to so many knowlegable commenters.

  29. Wow, has it really been 10 years? This site has been a bit of a godsend for me. Now being a veteran, still sounds weird! Being able to help give insights not only into how the British military operates. But also why it does things in certain ways, which can be seen as a bit barking by anyone whose not been in the mob.

    Some of us veterans who contribute to this forum, have seen both the good and bad when on operations. Memories of friends made and lost may diminish over time. But sharing some of the experiences that we went through, not only helps us deal with it, but reinvigorates the better memories.

    On a more technical note, this forum I feel helps to educate on not only how some systems work, but also what is feasible. Perhaps just as importantly give reasons why what might sound sensible may not actually be practical or viable. Preferably without divulging any sensitive information.

    It is interesting to note that the forum is now respected not only with the wider press, but also within Parliament. Where it has been quoted by the Defence Select Committee to question Ministers and serving Top Brass. So perhaps all the ranting, lambasting, and some bloody good ideas does get noticed and may actually make a difference?

    To George and the Team, thank you for putting together and maintaining this forum. Making sure that trolling is controlled and letting us have a bit of a laugh, even though some of the banter can be a little bit cutting. To all of you that contribute and put up with my sense of humor. Keep it up people and from me and mine to you and yours, have a very Happy Christmas.

    • Great points Davey.

      I have been a veteran for 14 years now, and find it interesting to keep up with the contemporary Defence scene, as well as hopefully passing on my varied experience whilst being mindful that it is ‘of its time’ and that not everyone likes to hear how officialdom (senior officers, politicians, civil servants) does/did things.
      As you say, the banter can be a bit cuttting especially when people don’t like what they hear!

      Hope you had a great Christmas!

  33. Many congratulations on reaching your 10th birthday.
    I have always found your articles (less the RAF trips each year to the north), to be well researched and delivered in a non partisan way. May you continue to grow and continue to be on my “daily” reading list.
    Seasons greetings to you all.
    PS: You know you are doing well when politicians from all sides quote from your site.

  34. Aye it’s a no bad website has that homely touch missing from the bland competition. Where it excels though in my Artistic opinion is the ability to have massive back N forward ding dongs 👍🏻😎👏🏻 Bravo and well done as volunteering can be a thankless task.

    Always my first port of the day

    🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇬🇧

  35. Fantastic achievement to all involved. Found this site by accident 7 years ago and is my favourite daily read. Hope you all have a great Christmas and New Year.

  39. Belated seasons greetings to George and his team. I do enjoy learning something and exchanging information with others. It is great that those who are veterans, those still serving and those who have not had such a close association but do have a deep and abiding interest in Defence – can all exchange views, opinions and information.

  40. Hi folks hope all is well.
    A bit late with my comment, nonetheless, thought I’d say many thanks to UKDJ as I’ve learnt so much about the subject, and of course the experts that contribute to this site have given me so much detail.
    Cheers
    George

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here