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ukdefencejournal.org.uk
UK Defence Journal
@ukdefencejournal.org.uk
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One of the UK's largest independent defence and technology news websites.

ukdefencejournal.org.uk
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ukdefencejournal.org.uk
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said Defence Ministers concluded a productive meeting in Brussels, describing the atmosphere as a turning point for the Alliance.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/rutte-defend...
Rutte defends US SACEUR role as Europe takes lead
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said Defence Ministers concluded a productive meeting in Brussels, describing the atmosphere as a turning point for the Alliance.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
February 12, 2026 at 6:47 PM
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
UK Defence Secretary John Healey used his remarks at the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (UDCG)
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/healey-says-...
Healey says allies 'more united than ever' on Ukraine
UK Defence Secretary John Healey used his remarks at the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (UDCG) press conference in Brussels to frame the war as entering a decisive year, warning that Russian strikes on Ukrainian cities are intensifying while Western support must accelerate in response. Opening his statement, Healey said the pledges announced at the meeting
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
February 12, 2026 at 5:42 PM
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
NATO has completed its first focused Operation Sea Guardian deployment of 2026, running from 21 January to 9 February in the Eastern Mediterranean, as the Alliance continues efforts to strengthen maritime security.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/nato-warship...
NATO warships and submarines patrol Eastern Med
NATO has completed its first focused Operation Sea Guardian deployment of 2026, running from 21 January to 9 February in the Eastern Mediterranean, as the Alliance continues efforts to strengthen maritime security.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
February 12, 2026 at 3:40 PM
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
NATO says it has trialled "the biggest unmanned fleet ever" in the Baltic, and is now moving to scale it through an allied effort named Task Force X Baltic.
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February 12, 2026 at 2:05 PM
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
The Ministry of Defence is considering whether to launch a replacement competition for an uncrewed surface vessel capability after formally terminating procurement activity under Project Lily.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/no-decision-...
No decision yet after cancelling Project Lily vessel
The Ministry of Defence is considering whether to launch a replacement competition for an uncrewed surface vessel capability after formally terminating procurement activity under Project Lily.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
February 12, 2026 at 12:48 PM
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has said US President Donald Trump has "a big point" on Arctic security, as NATO launched a new initiative aimed at increasing coordination and vigilance in the High North amid growing Russian and Chinese activity.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/rutte-says-t...
February 12, 2026 at 12:24 PM
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
The Ministry of Defence has said it is developing options for a future Ice Patrol Ship capability, following questions about command arrangements and cost contributions for a shared ice cutter role in the British Antarctic Territory.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/uk-develops-...
UK develops options for future ice patrol ship capability
The Ministry of Defence has said it is developing options for a future Ice Patrol Ship capability, following questions about command arrangements and cost contributions for a shared ice cutter role in the British Antarctic Territory.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
February 12, 2026 at 12:06 PM
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
Russian forces are making only incremental advances in Ukraine, with no decisive battlefield breakthroughs, while sustaining losses that a senior NATO official described as unprecedented in modern European warfare.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/nato-russias...
NATO: Russia's modest gains come at staggering human cost
Russian forces are making only incremental advances in Ukraine, with no decisive battlefield breakthroughs, while sustaining losses that a senior NATO official described as unprecedented in modern European warfare.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
February 12, 2026 at 11:46 AM
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
Babcock France has secured a new contract from the French Armed Forces Commissariat Service to provide pilot training for the French Air and Space Force and the French Navy.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/babcock-secu...
Babcock secures new French military pilot training contract
Babcock France has secured a new contract from the French Armed Forces Commissariat Service to provide pilot training for the French Air and Space Force and the French Navy.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
February 12, 2026 at 10:29 AM
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
The UK will provide more than £500 million in urgent air defence support for Ukraine, the Defence Secretary has announced at NATO Headquarters in Brussels
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/uk-pledges-5...
UK pledges £500m air defence boost for Ukraine
The UK will provide more than £500 million in urgent air defence support for Ukraine, the Defence Secretary has announced at NATO Headquarters in Brussels
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
February 12, 2026 at 10:18 AM
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
The UK will double the number of British troops deployed to Norway over the next three years, from 1,000 to 2,000 personnel, as ministers link the move to rising Russian military activity.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/?p=66676
Britain doubles troop numbers in Norway
The UK will double the number of British troops deployed to Norway over the next three years, from 1,000 to 2,000 personnel, as ministers link the move to rising Russian military activity.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
February 12, 2026 at 7:21 AM
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
The Ministry of Defence has declined to explain why the new Protector RG Mk1 remotely piloted aircraft has not yet reached Initial Operating Capability (IOC), despite the programme previously being expected to achieve that milestone in 2025.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/?p=66664
UK refuses to explain why Protector drone missed IOC
The Ministry of Defence has declined to explain why the new Protector RG Mk1 remotely piloted aircraft has not yet reached Initial Operating Capability (IOC), despite the programme previously being expected to achieve that milestone in 2025.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
February 12, 2026 at 7:16 AM
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
The government is working towards: "delivering the ambition to make a conditional offer of employment to candidates within 10 days, and a provisional training start date within 30 days".
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/mod-promises...
February 12, 2026 at 5:53 AM
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has warned that the Alliance must urgently accelerate production of air defence systems and ammunition, as Defence Ministers prepare to meet in Brussels.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/rutte-urges-...
Rutte urges rapid air defence build-up across NATO
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has warned that the Alliance must urgently accelerate production of air defence systems and ammunition, as Defence Ministers prepare to meet in Brussels.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
February 12, 2026 at 5:48 AM
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
The Ministry of Defence has outlined a broad package of new battlefield capabilities being accelerated into service through Task Force Rapstone.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/army-fast-tr...
Army fast-tracks drones and loitering munitions via Rapstone
The Ministry of Defence has outlined a broad package of new battlefield capabilities being accelerated into service through Task Force Rapstone.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
February 11, 2026 at 7:44 PM
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has called for closer defence and industrial cooperation with Europe, urging allies to pursue joint procurement and deeper interoperability as a way to deliver better value for money and accelerate capability delivery.
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February 11, 2026 at 6:58 PM
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that Royal Navy programmes Project VIXEN and Project ARK ROYAL are no longer in use, with both efforts now absorbed into a broader Maritime Aviation Transformation Strategy.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/uk-carrier-d...
UK carrier drone plan moves on without catapults
The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that Royal Navy programmes Project VIXEN and Project ARK ROYAL are no longer in use, with both efforts now absorbed into a broader Maritime Aviation Transformation Strategy.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
February 11, 2026 at 6:02 PM
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
NATO says its Rapid Adoption Action Plan can bring new tech into service within 24 months, and told the UK Defence Journal the target is realistic, with some off-the-shelf systems acquired in as little as six to nine months.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/nato-says-24...
NATO says 24-month rapid tech adoption target is achievable
NATO says its Rapid Adoption Action Plan can bring new tech into service within 24 months, and told the UK Defence Journal the target is realistic, with some off-the-shelf systems acquired in as little as six to nine months.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
February 11, 2026 at 5:43 PM
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
NATO has launched a new enhanced vigilance activity in the Arctic and High North, warning the region is increasingly becoming a front line of strategic competition.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/nato-launche...
NATO launches Arctic Sentry to tighten grip on High North
NATO has launched a new enhanced vigilance activity in the Arctic and High North, warning the region is increasingly becoming a front line of strategic competition.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
February 11, 2026 at 4:26 PM
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
Russia is continuing to make incremental gains on parts of the front line but remains short of the conditions needed for a breakthrough, with Ukrainian defences unlikely to collapse this year, a senior NATO official told journalists.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/ukraine-defe...
Ukraine defences unlikely to collapse this year say NATO
Russia is continuing to make incremental gains on parts of the front line but remains short of the conditions needed for a breakthrough, with Ukrainian defences unlikely to collapse this year, a senior NATO official told journalists.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
February 11, 2026 at 3:49 PM
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has warned that any attack on the Alliance would be met with a devastating response.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/nato-respons...
NATO response will be 'devastating' if attacked
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has warned that any attack on the Alliance would be met with a devastating response.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
February 11, 2026 at 3:39 PM
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
NATO has agreed a shake-up of its command, with the UK set to take over Joint Force Command Norfolk, Italy to lead JFC Naples, and Germany and Poland to rotate command of JFC Brunssum, while the US retains MARCOM, AIRCOM and LANDCOM.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/european-all...
European allies take over NATO joint force commands
NATO has agreed a shake-up of its command, with the UK set to take over Joint Force Command Norfolk, Italy to lead JFC Naples, and Germany and Poland to rotate command of JFC Brunssum, while the US retains MARCOM, AIRCOM and LANDCOM.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
February 10, 2026 at 6:50 PM
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
Hypersonica, an Anglo-German defence start-up developing what it describes as a sovereign European hypersonic strike capability, has completed its first successful hypersonic test flight in Norway.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/europes-firs...
Europe's first private hypersonic missile hits Mach 6
Hypersonica, an Anglo-German defence start-up developing what it describes as a sovereign European hypersonic strike capability, has completed its first successful hypersonic test flight in Norway.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
February 10, 2026 at 2:41 PM
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
Senior defence figures have warned MPs that the UK procurement system is too slow and rigid for the pace of modern conflict, calling for a shift toward prototype warfare and rapid frontline experimentation.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/?p=66593
UK urged to embrace prototype warfare
Senior defence figures have warned MPs that the UK procurement system is too slow and rigid for the pace of modern conflict, calling for a shift toward prototype warfare and rapid frontline experimentation.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
February 10, 2026 at 1:02 PM
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
A student-led UK-Ukraine forum brought together experts to examine drone warfare, disinformation, civil resilience and energy security, offering NATO audiences a sharp set of lessons drawn directly from Ukraine.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/edinburgh-st...
Edinburgh student forum spotlights hybrid war lessons
A student-led UK-Ukraine forum brought together experts to examine drone warfare, disinformation, civil resilience and energy security, offering NATO audiences a sharp set of lessons drawn directly from Ukraine.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
February 10, 2026 at 12:21 PM