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

ukdefencejournal.org.uk
The UK has accelerated £200 million in defence funding to prepare its armed forces for potential deployment to Ukraine as part of a Multinational Force.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/uk-to-spend-...
UK to spend £200m getting forces ready to deploy to Ukraine
The UK has accelerated £200 million in defence funding to prepare its armed forces for potential deployment to Ukraine as part of a Multinational Force.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
January 10, 2026 at 5:40 AM
Denmark has requested to buy up to one hundred AGM-114R Hellfire missiles.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/denmark-to-b...
Denmark to buy 100 American Hellfire anti-tank missiles
Denmark has requested to buy up to one hundred AGM-114R Hellfire missiles.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
January 9, 2026 at 9:03 PM
The U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyer USS Paul Ignatius is heading toward HM Naval Base Clyde at Faslane as part of a routine port visit to Scotland.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/american-war...
American warship arrives in Scotland
The U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyer USS Paul Ignatius is heading toward HM Naval Base Clyde at Faslane as part of a routine port visit to Scotland.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
January 9, 2026 at 4:37 PM
Responding to a series of written questions from Labour MP @GraemeDownieMP, defence minister @AlistairCarns said Russia continues to pose a sustained challenge to Euro-Atlantic security.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/uk-warns-of-...
UK warns of Russian threat to offshore energy assets
Responding to a series of written questions from Labour MP Graeme Downie, defence minister Al Carns said Russia continues to pose a sustained challenge to Euro-Atlantic security.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
January 9, 2026 at 3:18 PM
The opening article of our Armed Forces at Work in Scotland series looks inside NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, where support for Armed Forces Community staff is woven into a large and complex workforce.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/armed-forces...
Armed Forces at work inside Scotland’s largest NHS board
The opening article of our Armed Forces at Work in Scotland series looks inside NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, where support for Armed Forces Community staff is woven into a large and complex workforce.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
January 9, 2026 at 11:47 AM
The Royal Navy is expected to bring the Norwegian-designed Naval Strike Missile into service later this year, according to the Ministry of Defence.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/powerful-new...
Powerful new missile to enter Royal Navy servcie this year
The Royal Navy is expected to bring the Norwegian-designed Naval Strike Missile into service later this year, according to the Ministry of Defence.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
January 9, 2026 at 11:01 AM
The atlas presents 12 strategic maps examining Britain’s security, economic interests and exposure to global threats.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/new-atlas-ur...
New atlas urges seapower focus to make UK ‘pivotal power’
The atlas presents 12 strategic maps examining Britain’s security, economic interests and exposure to global threats.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
January 9, 2026 at 10:49 AM
GMB has urged the government to intervene after a £200 million contract for naval support vessels was awarded to Dutch shipbuilder Damen.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/calls-to-rev...
Calls to review £200m Navy workboat deal awarded abroad
GMB has urged the government to intervene after a £200 million contract for naval support vessels was awarded to Dutch shipbuilder Damen.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
January 9, 2026 at 8:39 AM
The government has pushed back against proposed changes to the Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill, arguing they are unnecessary and could undermine long-term security arrangements for the joint UK US facility.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/government-r...
Government rejects security amendments to Diego Garcia bill
The government has pushed back against proposed changes to the Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill, arguing they are unnecessary and could undermine long-term security arrangements for the joint UK US facility.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
January 8, 2026 at 10:02 AM
Elbit Systems has secured contracts worth a combined $150 million to supply its Iron Fist Active Protection System for integration on CV90 infantry fighting vehicles operated by European NATO member states.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/?p=65448
Iron Fist APS selected for European CV90 fleets
Elbit Systems has secured contracts worth a combined $150 million to supply its Iron Fist Active Protection System for integration on CV90 infantry fighting vehicles operated by European NATO member states.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
January 8, 2026 at 7:01 AM
U.S. Navy F-35 pilots have completed a tactical demonstration focused on integrating crewed fighters with the U.S. Navy’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft inside the Joint Simulation Environment.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/?p=65459
F-35 pilots test CCA teaming in U.S. Navy simulation
U.S. Navy F-35 pilots have completed a tactical demonstration focused on integrating crewed fighters with the U.S. Navy’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft inside the Joint Simulation Environment.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
January 8, 2026 at 6:01 AM
The Italian Air Force has completed a special operations exercise demonstrating the integration of special forces with fourth- and fifth-generation air assets in support of NATO’s Agile Combat Employment concept.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/?p=65457
Italian SOF test F-35 integration for NATO ACE concept
The Italian Air Force has completed a special operations exercise demonstrating the integration of special forces with fourth- and fifth-generation air assets in support of NATO’s Agile Combat Employment concept.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
January 7, 2026 at 11:01 PM
QinetiQ has been awarded a £67 million contract to support the delivery of the UK’s first laser directed energy weapons to Royal Navy platforms, with initial integration planned from 2027.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/?p=65445
QinetiQ secures £67m role in Royal Navy laser weapon effort
QinetiQ has been awarded a £67 million contract to support the delivery of the UK’s first laser directed energy weapons to Royal Navy platforms, with initial integration planned from 2027.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
January 7, 2026 at 8:31 PM
Northrop Grumman has demonstrated the integration of its AN/AQS-24 minehunting system with a U.S. Navy Mine Countermeasures Unmanned Surface Vehicle, completing initial open-water testing within 45 days of contract award, according to the company.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/?p=65452
AN/AQS-24 paired with US Navy drone vessel
Northrop Grumman has demonstrated the integration of its AN/AQS-24 minehunting system with a U.S. Navy Mine Countermeasures Unmanned Surface Vehicle, completing initial open-water testing within 45 days of contract award, according to the company.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
January 7, 2026 at 7:02 PM
Babcock has signed a memorandum of understanding with Frankenburg Technologies to explore the development of a maritime counter-drone air defence system aimed at addressing the growing use of one-way attack drones.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/?p=65446
Babcock, Frankenburg to containerise anti-drone missiles
Babcock has signed a memorandum of understanding with Frankenburg Technologies to explore the development of a maritime counter-drone air defence system aimed at addressing the growing use of one-way attack drones.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
January 7, 2026 at 6:02 PM
Lockheed Martin has signed a framework agreement with the U.S. Department of War aimed at accelerating production of PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement interceptors, with annual output planned to rise substantially.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/u-s-accelera...
U.S. accelerating pace of intercepter missile production
Lockheed Martin has signed a framework agreement with the U.S. Department of War aimed at accelerating production of PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement interceptors, with annual output planned to rise substantially.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
January 7, 2026 at 5:40 PM
A man described by the National Crime Agency as its top global target for organised immigration crime has been jailed for supplying boats and engines used in thousands of small-boat crossings of the English Channel.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/key-channel-...
Key Channel boat supplier jailed after NCA-led probe
A man described by the National Crime Agency as its top global target for organised immigration crime has been jailed for supplying boats and engines used in thousands of small-boat crossings of the English Channel.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
January 7, 2026 at 5:35 PM
Britain confirmed on Wednesday that it provided military support to the United States during the seizure of the sanctioned oil tanker Bella 1 in the North Atlantic.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/uk-confirms-...
UK confirms military support for U.S. seizure of tanker
Britain confirmed on Wednesday that it provided military support to the United States during the seizure of the sanctioned oil tanker Bella 1 in the North Atlantic.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
January 7, 2026 at 4:23 PM
The United States has seized the sanctioned supertanker Bella 1 in the North Atlantic, U.S. European Command said on Tuesday, confirming the culmination of days of heightened surveillance and military-backed enforcement activity.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/u-s-seizes-s...
U.S. seizes sanctioned tanker in North Atlantic
The United States has seized the sanctioned supertanker Bella 1 in the North Atlantic, U.S. European Command said on Tuesday, confirming the culmination of days of heightened surveillance and military-backed enforcement activity.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
January 7, 2026 at 2:20 PM
An American military helicopter believed to be linked to U.S. special operations forces has been pictured operating alongside the sanctioned supertanker Marinera in the North Atlantic.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/u-s-special-...
U.S. special forces heli seen alongside sanctioned tanker
An American military helicopter believed to be linked to U.S. special operations forces has been pictured operating alongside the sanctioned supertanker Marinera in the North Atlantic.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
January 7, 2026 at 1:18 PM
Peers from across the House of Lords have intensified pressure on the government over defence spending and planning delays, with senior figures warning that postponing clear investment decisions risks undermining the UK's industrial base.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/peers-warn-b...
Peers warn British defence spending delays ‘irresponsible’
Peers from across the House of Lords have intensified pressure on the government over defence spending and planning delays, with senior figures warning that postponing clear investment decisions risks undermining the UK's industrial base.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
January 7, 2026 at 12:04 PM
The sanctioned supertanker Marinera, formerly known as Bella 1, continues to steam northeast through the North Atlantic.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/british-rc-1...
British RC-135 spy plane tracks tanker U.S. plans to seize
The sanctioned supertanker Marinera, formerly known as Bella 1, continues to steam northeast through the North Atlantic.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
January 7, 2026 at 10:09 AM
Ministers faced renewed pressure in the House of Lords on Tuesday over delays to the government’s Defence Investment Plan.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/government-p...
Government pressed over delayed Defence Investment Plan
Ministers faced renewed pressure in the House of Lords on Tuesday over delays to the government’s Defence Investment Plan.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
January 7, 2026 at 9:21 AM
The United Kingdom and France have set out detailed plans for military involvement in Ukraine following any future ceasefire with Russia, including troop deployments, under a declaration agreed in Paris on Tuesday.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/uk-and-franc...
UK and France signal troop deployment to Ukraine
The United Kingdom and France have set out detailed plans for military involvement in Ukraine following any future ceasefire with Russia, including troop deployments, under a declaration agreed in Paris on Tuesday.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
January 6, 2026 at 8:01 PM