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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
The King has marked the commissioning of nearly 200 junior officers at Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, returning to the institution where he began his own naval career almost 55 years ago.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/?p=65245
King salutes new officers at Dartmouth passing-out parade
The King has marked the commissioning of nearly 200 junior officers at Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, returning to the institution where he began his own naval career almost 55 years ago.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
December 29, 2025 at 5:01 PM
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
The £16.9m deal maintains Gladiator until 2028 and funds integration of F-35, Typhoon and air C2 into the RAF’s synthetic battlespace.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/?p=65249
RAF extends Gladiator training support to 2028
The £16.9m deal maintains Gladiator until 2028 and funds integration of F-35, Typhoon and air C2 into the RAF’s synthetic battlespace.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
December 29, 2025 at 4:01 PM
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
BAE Systems’ FAST Labs research and development arm has been awarded a $16 million Phase 2 contract under DARPA’s Oversight programme, which aims to build an autonomous system capable of maintaining continuous custody of large numbers of ground targets.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/?p=65241
BAE wins DARPA deal to advance autonomous space surveillance
BAE Systems’ FAST Labs research and development arm has been awarded a $16 million Phase 2 contract under DARPA’s Oversight programme, which aims to build an autonomous system capable of maintaining continuous custody of large numbers of ground targets.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
December 29, 2025 at 3:01 PM
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
The U.S. Navy’s sole-source move for the UK-built ALQ-260 BriteCloud from Leonardo marks a decisive choice that could set the tone for F-35 operators across NATO.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/u-s-clears-p...
U.S. clears purchase of Leonardo BriteCloud decoys for F-35
The U.S. Navy’s sole-source move for the UK-built ALQ-260 BriteCloud from Leonardo marks a decisive choice that could set the tone for F-35 operators across NATO.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
December 29, 2025 at 2:05 PM
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
The Royal Navy is testing multiple quantum systems across the fleet, but officials stress that no replacement for GPS is imminent.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/?p=65247
Royal Navy tests quantum navigation in Arctic
The Royal Navy is testing multiple quantum systems across the fleet, but officials stress that no replacement for GPS is imminent.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
December 29, 2025 at 2:01 PM
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
BAE Systems has secured an $11 million contract from Korea Aerospace Industries to integrate the AN/APX-127(V)1 Combined Interrogator Transponder on the KF-21 Boramae fighter, replacing the APX-126(V) currently fitted to the platform.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/?p=65237
BAE Systems to integrate new IFF on South Korea’s KF-21
BAE Systems has secured an $11 million contract from Korea Aerospace Industries to integrate the AN/APX-127(V)1 Combined Interrogator Transponder on the KF-21 Boramae fighter, replacing the APX-126(V) currently fitted to the platform.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
December 29, 2025 at 1:01 PM
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
BAE Systems has secured contracts worth around 171 million dollars to supply its Bofors 40mm and 57mm 3P programmable ammunition to Sweden and Finland.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/?p=65243
Sweden and Finland place $171m order for BAE 3P rounds
BAE Systems has secured contracts worth around 171 million dollars to supply its Bofors 40mm and 57mm 3P programmable ammunition to Sweden and Finland.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
December 29, 2025 at 12:02 PM
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
The first Jupiter HC2 helicopter has begun flying operations at RAF Benson, marking its entry into UK service and the start of a programme that will replace ageing Bell 212 and 412 aircraft in Brunei and Cyprus from early 2026.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/?p=65250
First Jupiter HC2 enters UK service ahead of deployment
The first Jupiter HC2 helicopter has begun flying operations at RAF Benson, marking its entry into UK service and the start of a programme that will replace ageing Bell 212 and 412 aircraft in Brunei and Cyprus from early 2026.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
December 29, 2025 at 11:02 AM
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
Babcock says the first Jackal 3 Extenda vehicles from the second production tranche have rolled off the Devonport line, marking a key milestone in the programme to deliver new high-mobility platforms to the British Army.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/?p=65238
First Jackal 3 Extenda vehicles completed in Devonport
Babcock says the first Jackal 3 Extenda vehicles from the second production tranche have rolled off the Devonport line, marking a key milestone in the programme to deliver new high-mobility platforms to the British Army.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
December 29, 2025 at 10:01 AM
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
Thales has been awarded an initial £10 million contract to deliver AI-enabled remote command centres for Royal Navy mine countermeasures.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/?p=65214
Thales to build AI mine warfare hubs for Royal Navy
Thales has been awarded an initial £10 million contract to deliver AI-enabled remote command centres for Royal Navy mine countermeasures.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
December 29, 2025 at 9:02 AM
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
Britain's national resilience is being tested in ways that would have been unthinkable a generation ago argues Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst MP.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/cyberwarfare...
Cyberwarfare is here – and we must be ready
Britain's national resilience is being tested in ways that would have been unthinkable a generation ago argues Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst MP.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
December 29, 2025 at 8:23 AM
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
A new technical study has recorded a marked escalation in GNSS interference in the southern Baltic Sea, with shipborne measurements indicating a shift from simple jamming to coordinated spoofing–jamming activity near the maritime boundary of Kaliningrad.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/?p=65236
New Baltic study finds spoofing surge near Kaliningrad
A new technical study has recorded a marked escalation in GNSS interference in the southern Baltic Sea, with shipborne measurements indicating a shift from simple jamming to coordinated spoofing–jamming activity near the maritime boundary of Kaliningrad.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
December 29, 2025 at 8:02 AM
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
Glasgow Prestwick Airport, bought by the Scottish government for £1 in 2013 to avert closure, has developed into a fixture in UK and allied military logistics more than a decade later. It was a good bet.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/prestwicks-1...
Prestwick’s £1 Scot Gov rescue yields defence payoff
Glasgow Prestwick Airport, bought by the Scottish government for £1 in 2013 to avert closure, has developed into a fixture in UK and allied military logistics more than a decade later. It was a good bet.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
December 29, 2025 at 7:48 AM
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
Scottish Labour MSP Paul Sweeney has called for ministers to intervene in the award of 24 naval workboats to Dutch firm Damen, telling the UK Defence Journal that the decision undermines the National Shipbuilding Strategy.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/sweeney-urge...
December 29, 2025 at 7:25 AM
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
The deal with Germany covers one RCH 155 for UK trials, with two more going to Germany for joint testing.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/britain-buys...
Britain buys new mobile artillery in £52m deal
The deal with Germany covers one RCH 155 for UK trials, with two more going to Germany for joint testing.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
December 28, 2025 at 9:06 AM
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that work on autonomous, carrier-based refuelling and logistics aircraft for the Royal Navy remains ongoing, underlining that no decisions have yet been taken on fielding such systems.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/uk-confirms-...
UK confirms carrier drone refuelling still under review
The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that work on autonomous, carrier-based refuelling and logistics aircraft for the Royal Navy remains ongoing, underlining that no decisions have yet been taken on fielding such systems.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
December 28, 2025 at 8:42 AM
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
Recent images from Chinese social media show a standard commercial cargo vessel refitted with sensors, defensive weapons and containerised launchers.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/china-turns-...
China turns cargo ship into powerful warship
Recent images from Chinese social media show a standard commercial cargo vessel refitted with sensors, defensive weapons and containerised launchers.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
December 28, 2025 at 8:06 AM
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
The Royal Navy has outlined its plans for a “hybrid navy” and expanded use of uncrewed systems during a visit by United States Secretary of the Army Daniel Driscoll to Portsmouth.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/us-army-secr...
US Army Secretary briefed on British hybrid navy plans
The Royal Navy has outlined its plans for a “hybrid navy” and expanded use of uncrewed systems during a visit by United States Secretary of the Army Daniel Driscoll to Portsmouth.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
December 28, 2025 at 7:51 AM
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
The Ministry of Defence will launch a year-long military experience scheme in 2026, offering paid placements for 18 to 25 year olds across the Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/gap-year-mil...
Gap year military scheme to launch for under-25s in 2026
The Ministry of Defence will launch a year-long military experience scheme in 2026, offering paid placements for 18 to 25 year olds across the Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
December 27, 2025 at 1:49 PM
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
Questions from Labour MP Graeme Downie focused on Russia’s Northern Fleet modernisation and Arctic posture.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/uk-assesses-...
UK assesses Russian fleet upgrades and Arctic threat
Questions from Labour MP Graeme Downie focused on Russia’s Northern Fleet modernisation and Arctic posture.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
December 27, 2025 at 11:56 AM
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
A man has been arrested in Birmingham on suspicion of advertising people smuggling services online, following a joint operation by the National Crime Agency and West Midlands Police.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/birmingham-a...
Birmingham arrest over social media people-smuggling ads
A man has been arrested in Birmingham on suspicion of advertising people smuggling services online, following a joint operation by the National Crime Agency and West Midlands Police.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
December 27, 2025 at 11:43 AM
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that Project Brakestop, a new UK cruise missile programme designed for rapid production and scale, has entered live firing trials, as senior defence officials set out a shift toward faster weapons procurement.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/new-british-...
New British cruise missile enters firing trials
The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that Project Brakestop, a new UK cruise missile programme designed for rapid production and scale, has entered live firing trials, as senior defence officials set out a shift toward faster weapons procurement.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
December 27, 2025 at 8:37 AM
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that there are currently no plans to fit defensive laser weapons directly to the Royal Navy’s aircraft carriers.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/no-current-p...
No current plans for laser weapons on UK carriers
The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that there are currently no plans to fit defensive laser weapons directly to the Royal Navy’s aircraft carriers.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
December 27, 2025 at 8:05 AM
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
Recent images from Chinese social media show a standard commercial cargo vessel refitted with sensors, defensive weapons and containerised launchers.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/china-turns-...
China turns cargo ship into powerful warship
Recent images from Chinese social media show a standard commercial cargo vessel refitted with sensors, defensive weapons and containerised launchers.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
December 26, 2025 at 8:07 PM
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that discussions are underway to reform pay structures, crewing models and fleet support for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA), after Gosport MP Caroline Dinenage raised concerns about pay, staffing and readiness.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/mod-outlines...
MOD outlines RFA pay reform talks
The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that discussions are underway to reform pay structures, crewing models and fleet support for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA), after Gosport MP Caroline Dinenage raised concerns about pay, staffing and readiness.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
December 26, 2025 at 7:59 PM