UK reveals development of low cost Radio Frequency Directed Energy Weapon

UK reveals development of low cost Radio Frequency Directed Energy Weapon
UK reveals development of low cost Radio Frequency Directed Energy Weapon

The new weapon system, beams radio waves to “disrupt or damage” electronic equipment of enemy vehicles “causing them to stop in their tracks or fall out of the sky,” according to the UK Ministry of Defence.

UK Royal Marines to acquire 6 new multirole support ships, cost yet to be decided

UK Royal Marines to acquire 6 new multirole support ships, cost yet to be decided
UK Royal Marines to acquire 6 new multirole support ships, cost yet to be decided

Reflecting on the decision to add the six MRSS vessels to 22 other Royal Navy ships on order or in build, UK defence secretary Grant Shapps said, “this is a golden age for British shipbuilding.”

UK picks 90 suppliers to support Hypersonic strike program

UK picks 90 suppliers to support Hypersonic strike program
UK picks 90 suppliers to support Hypersonic strike program

The various suppliers were all picked to join a Hypersonic Technologies and Capability Development Framework (HTCDF) agreement, making them eligible to compete for eight lots worth a maximum value of £1 billion ($1.3 billion) over the next seven years.

Eight ‘capability coalitions’ are rushing arms to Ukraine. Here’s who will donate what. (EXPLAINER)

Eight ‘capability coalitions’ are rushing arms to Ukraine. Here’s who will donate what. (EXPLAINER)
Eight ‘capability coalitions’ are rushing arms to Ukraine. Here’s who will donate what. (EXPLAINER)

NATO has established eight different capability coalitions designed to get critical systems or ammo into Ukrainian hands quickly. Here’s a deep dive into how they’re all faring.

UK responds to cyber hacking of MoD payroll but refuses to name China as culprit

UK responds to cyber hacking of MoD payroll but refuses to name China as culprit
UK responds to cyber hacking of MoD payroll but refuses to name China as culprit

“We do have indications that this was the suspected work of a malign actor and we cannot rule out state involvement,” Grant Shapps, UK defense secretary told lawmakers.

UK New Medium Helicopter buy reduced to around 30 aircraft: Spirit AeroSystems Exec

UK New Medium Helicopter buy reduced to around 30 aircraft: Spirit AeroSystems Exec
UK New Medium Helicopter buy reduced to around 30 aircraft: Spirit AeroSystems Exec

The comments are the second time in the span of 10 months that industrial officials have publicly revealed a reduced buy from a max of 44 helos is on the table.

Is State Dept.’s AUKUS trade certification delay a sign of choppy waters ahead?

Is State Dept.’s AUKUS trade certification delay a sign of choppy waters ahead?
Is State Dept.’s AUKUS trade certification delay a sign of choppy waters ahead?

Ann McDonnell, chief operating officer for Export Controls Australia Group, told Breaking Defense, “I think definitely from the Australian perspective, it really seemed like we had done everything possible that we could do in a really quick timeframe to get that certification.”

Questions hang over UK’s new, ambitious defense spending plan: Analysts

Questions hang over UK’s new, ambitious defense spending plan: Analysts
Questions hang over UK’s new, ambitious defense spending plan: Analysts

Such is the scale of British Army acquisition problems alone that they could not be resolved if the UK moved to a long term spending settlement of even 4 percent GDP, an expert told British lawmakers.

UK pledges ‘generational’ leap in defense spending, industry to go on ‘war footing’

UK pledges ‘generational’ leap in defense spending, industry to go on ‘war footing’
UK pledges ‘generational’ leap in defense spending, industry to go on ‘war footing’

Under the new plan, London wants to spend a cumulative extra of £75 billion ($93 billion) over the next six years, culminating in a 2030 annual defense budget of £87 billion ($108 billion), which would make it second in NATO only to the US in defense expenditure.

Airbus, UK agree $152 million deal for 6 H145 ‘overseas’ helicopters

Airbus, UK agree $152 million deal for 6 H145 ‘overseas’ helicopters
Airbus, UK agree $152 million deal for 6 H145 ‘overseas’ helicopters

The fleet of light-twin rotorcraft will replace Airbus Puma HC2 types, which have been temporarily based in Brunei for British Army training and the island of Cyprus in support of Royal Air Force search and rescue missions.

Official reveals UK undertaking a ‘classified’ Future Force Design Review

Official reveals UK undertaking a ‘classified’ Future Force Design Review
Official reveals UK undertaking a ‘classified’ Future Force Design Review

Disclosure of the future force review comes amid intense political scrutiny over the credibility of UK warfighting capabilities and calls by lawmakers to increase defense spending.

Leonardo CEO criticizes UK for lack of transparency on GCAP industrial plans

Leonardo CEO criticizes UK for lack of transparency on GCAP industrial plans
Leonardo CEO criticizes UK for lack of transparency on GCAP industrial plans

Roberto Cingolani appeared to question UK secrecy, suggesting London has been unwilling to share how it will contribute to developing GCAP system of systems-type aircraft and technology.

United Kingdom military is not AI-ready, procurement minister says

United Kingdom military is not AI-ready, procurement minister says
United Kingdom military is not AI-ready, procurement minister says

James Cartlidge also described a tweak to the acquisition process for high-tech platforms that allow military tech experts to play “failsafe watchdog.”

UK pledges additional 10,000 FPV and one way attack drones for Ukraine

UK pledges additional 10,000 FPV and one way attack drones for Ukraine
UK pledges additional 10,000 FPV and one way attack drones for Ukraine

A total of $128 million from the latest drone package will be spent on maritime capabilities so Ukraine can “turn the tide” against Russia in the Black Sea, said the UK Ministry of Defence.