UK MoD Launches £48M Mounted SHORAD Study
The UK Ministry of Defence has announced a £48 million assessment phase to develop a mobile Short Range Air Defence (SHORAD) system for the British Army.
Running from August 2025 to December 2028, the programme will explore vehicle platforms and system integration to counter drones, aircraft, helicopters, and cruise missiles. The Mounted SHORAD Fire Unit (MSFU) and Multi Mission System (MMS) study aims to restore layered ground-based air defence and supports SME participation. A formal tender is expected under the Procurement Act 2023.
UK to Upgrade Poseidon Jets with £10.8M Torpedo Deal
The UK MoD will invest £10.8M to integrate the Sting Ray Mod 1 torpedo onto RAF Poseidon P-8 aircraft, enhancing sovereign anti-submarine capability.
The five-year contract covers design, production, and support, complementing the U.S.-made Mk54. A formal tender is expected by September 2025.
Capita Awarded £7.5M MoD Deal for Army Adventure Training
Capita Entrust has secured a £7.5 million contract from the UK Ministry of Defence to deliver adventure training for British Army recruits. Part of the Common Military Syllabus, the programme includes climbing, kayaking, and mountaineering to develop leadership, teamwork, and resilience.
Capita will also maintain and inspect safety equipment. The deal supports ongoing MoD efforts to outsource non-operational training while retaining control over core military instruction.
G3 Systems Secures €100M Dutch Defence Logistics Contract
UK-based G3 Systems has secured a €100 million contract to supply around 700 deployable containers and flat racks to the Netherlands Ministry of Defence under its WTB logistics programme. The deal includes a 30-month delivery phase and a 15-year support period.
The contract covers over 400 flat racks and 270 specialist containers for transporting general supplies, ammunition, chemicals, and medical items. Some containers will feature power systems, CBRN filtration, HVAC, and asset tracking.
Production will involve G3’s European partners, with all units designed for global transport. G3 Managing Director Nick Rose called the award a “game changer,” marking the company’s largest contract to date.
UDSS Helps Shape UK’s First Externally Led Defence Review
Universal Defence and Security Solutions (UDSS) played a key role in the UK’s 2025 Strategic Defence Review-the first ever led by an external team. Co-led by UDSS Co-Founder General Sir Richard Barrons, the review sets out a modernised defence strategy focused on cyber warfare, AI, and rapid-force integration.
The £1B plan includes a new Cyber and Electromagnetic Command, with UDSS drawing on its 700-strong network of defence experts to inform priorities. UDSS now offers briefings and strategic support to help businesses align with the UK’s updated defence framework.
NP Aerospace, Logistik Unicorp Partner on Integrated Soldier Systems
NP Aerospace has teamed up with Logistik Unicorp to offer next-generation integrated soldier systems, combining advanced armour and military apparel expertise. The partnership, already proven through a 3,000-kit Canadian Army DICE contract, targets upcoming UK programmes like the MoD VIRTUS re-let.
Focusing initially on UK defence and expanding internationally, the alliance leverages NP’s armour and UK supply chain with Logistik’s global uniform experience. The goal: deliver cost-effective, high-performance protection and load carriage solutions that boost operational effectiveness.
Applied Intuition Expands to UK with £50M Defence Autonomy Push
US-based Applied Intuition has opened a UK office, pledging £50M to support sovereign autonomy solutions across land, air, sea, and space. The firm, known for its AI-driven autonomous systems, aims to bolster UK defence capabilities with dual-use technologies and local development options.
Following its 2025 acquisition of EpiSci-developers of DARPA’s autonomous F-16 software-Applied brings advanced tools like Acuity (onboard AI) and Axion (MLOps integration). With this move, the UK adds another major player to its growing autonomy ecosystem alongside Arondite, Helsing, and Anduril UK.
Applied Computing Secures €10.7M to AI-Power Energy Sector
London-based Applied Computing has secured €10.7M in seed funding, led by Stride.VC and Repeat.vc, to modernise oil, gas, and petrochemical operations with AI.
Its platform, Orbital, uses physics – and engineering-based foundation models to optimise industrial systems in real time. Already deployed in large refineries, it delivers 75% cost savings and processes 100% of available data-far surpassing traditional tools.
Founded in 2023, the company aims to scale its team and prepare for a Series A in late 2025.
SCI Semiconductor Secures £2.5M for Cyber-Safe Chip
SCI Semiconductor has raised £2.5M to launch its ICENI chip line, designed to block 70% of cyberattacks by enforcing memory safety at the hardware level. Based on CHERI technology from the University of Cambridge, the chips compartmentalise memory to eliminate common vulnerabilities without constant patching.
Backed by Mercia Ventures (NPIF II) and angel investors, SCI aims to lead secure computing in defence, critical infrastructure, and automotive sectors. The Sheffield-based firm, co-founded by Haydn Povey, is already working with Google Research and will scale its UK engineering team.