GRAHAM Wins £142m Contract to Upgrade Edinburgh Military Sites
The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) has awarded GRAHAM Building a £142.1 million contract to modernise Dreghorn Barracks, Glencorse Barracks and the Colinton Road Reserve Centre in Edinburgh. The work forms part of the Defence Estate Optimisation programme, a £5.1bn investment to deliver modern, sustainable facilities for UK forces.
The project includes new single living accommodation, training spaces, armouries, offices, stores and site infrastructure across all three locations. DIO leaders said the upgrades will significantly improve living, working and training conditions for personnel, while supporting future operational capability.
GRAHAM Building called the redevelopment a “modern legacy” for the Edinburgh garrison. Design and development work is underway, with construction scheduled to begin in early 2027.
GKN Aerospace Wins £12m Contract for Rapid Swedish UAV Demo
GKN Aerospace has secured a £12m FMV contract to design, build and flight-test a new low-cost UAV demonstrator within 18 months. The clean-sheet platform paired with a dedicated turbojet engine will explore flexible, mission-adaptable capabilities for the Swedish Armed Forces.
The programme emphasises rapid development, user-driven design and agile testing, with engine, fuselage and mission-system demos leading to full flight trials. Work will leverage GKN’s Swedish propulsion and Dutch airframe teams, reinforcing its long-standing role in Sweden’s defence ecosystem, including as OEM for the Gripen’s RM12 engine.
Senior VP Stefan Oscarsson said the effort strengthens Sweden’s technological edge while accelerating affordable next-gen UAV capability.
UK Invests £6.9m in Satellite Communications Technologies
The UK is investing £6.9 million in five UK-led satellite communications projects through ESA’s ARTES programme, aiming to strengthen national capability in satcoms, in-orbit servicing, lunar communications and 5G NTN.
The funding includes:
- £2.9m for Orbit Fab’s satellite-refuelling demo
- £1.6m for Goonhilly’s Luna Net-compatible lunar comms interface
- £1.19m for Vicinity’s 5G NTN payload
- £356k for Archangel Lightworks’ optical-links study with OneWeb
- £881k for Inmarsat’s multi-provider satcom management network
The UK Space Agency says the investment positions the country to capture part of Europe’s projected £40bn satellite market. Ministers and ESA officials said the projects will advance UK technological leadership and support high-skilled jobs across the space sector.
Flyby Wins MoD Contract for Autonomous Battlefield UAVs
Flyby Technology has secured a UK Ministry of Defence contract to supply UAVs for a force-protection demonstration exploring how autonomous “airborne effectors” can support frontline troops. The company will deliver a Jackal UAV by March 2026, with further systems to follow as the project evolves.
The Jackal will integrate into the MoD’s “Internet of Battlespace Things,” enabling autonomous threat responses based on sensor data across the network, with human oversight for strike decisions. Flyby is also developing hybrid-powered variants, a larger Havoc UAV, and additional concepts such as the Vandal hypersonic drone and Mayhem low-cost cruise missile.
Flyby plans to open a production line in Swindon pending investment aligning with efforts to establish the town as a UK drone-manufacturing hub alongside Tekever and Stark.
Cervus, By Light UK Sign MoU to Accelerate Defence Simulation
Cervus Defence & Security and By Light UK have signed an MoU to deepen collaboration on multi-domain training and simulation. The agreement formalises joint work on system integration, demonstrations and defence programme bids, combining Cervus’ data-driven analytics with By Light’s simulation and cyber-training systems.
Both firms aim to deliver interoperable, exportable and NATO-ready synthetic training solutions. By Light UK is onshoring products for UK and allied markets, while Cervus continues providing analytics platforms for mission rehearsal and operational decision-support.
Cervus MD Gareth Vaughn said the partnership will “accelerate innovation”, while By Light UK MD Sanjay Khetia said it strengthens their ability to deliver modern, multi-domain training capabilities.
Marshall Land Systems Sold to Canada’s Flowing River Capital
Marshall Land Systems has been acquired by Indigenous-owned Flowing River Capital Partners, marking a major shift for the 100-year-old defence engineering firm. The move, completed on 21 November, supports Marshall’s long-term growth strategy and expands its footprint across the UK, Canada and NATO markets.
Flowing River CEO Thomas Benjoe said the acquisition advances Indigenous economic ambitions while backing a business with “strong capabilities and long-term growth potential.” Marshall CEO Gareth Williams said the new ownership will accelerate the company’s push to become a global leader in deployable defence infrastructure and integrated platforms.
Marshall Land Systems, which employs over 600 staff, will continue delivering specialist vehicles, shelters and mission-critical systems to defence customers worldwide.
BAE to build more Bradley A4s under $390m US Army deal
BAE Systems has finalised a contract modification worth just over $390 million with the US Army to upgrade additional Bradley Fighting Vehicles to the A4 configuration. The work already underway will modernise older variants, boosting lethality, survivability and safety, with first deliveries due by October 2026.
Production and support will run across BAE’s US network, including sites in South Carolina, Alabama, Minnesota, California, Michigan and Pennsylvania, alongside Red River Army Depot. The award keeps US manufacturing lines active and aligns with the Army’s push for next‑generation capability in Armoured Brigade Combat Teams.
Nammo UK to Power Europe’s First Lunar Lander
Nammo UK has been chosen by the European Space Agency and Thales Alenia Space to supply the main engine for the Argonaut Lunar Lander, supporting NASA’s Artemis mission planned for 2031. The company’s new 6kN RELIANCE bi-propellant engine, developed at Westcott, will provide the precision thrust needed for Europe’s first lunar landing.
The selection marks a major step for UK propulsion capability and builds on Nammo’s record powering missions such as NASA’s Juno probe, Firefly’s Blue Ghost lander and Astroscale’s ADRAS-J debris-inspection spacecraft. ESA’s Argonaut will deliver cargo, supplies and scientific equipment to support sustained human activity on the Moon.
UK and ESA officials said the contract strengthens European space autonomy while creating high-skilled jobs at the Westcott Space Cluster. Nammo says the RELIANCE engine’s throttleable design drawing inspiration from Apollo-era technology positions Europe for future lunar and interplanetary missions.
Terma Completes Acquisition of UK Counter-Drone Firm OSL Technology
Terma A/S has acquired UK-based OSL Technology, strengthening its position in the fast-growing counter-drone (C-UAS) market. OSL, known for protecting major airports and critical infrastructure, brings operational expertise that complements Terma’s defence-grade radar and command-and-control systems.
The combined team will offer an integrated, multi-domain C-UAS suite that fuses sensors, AI analytics and effectors to detect, classify and respond to aerial threats within seconds. Terma CEO Henriette H. Thygesen said the acquisition creates one of Europe’s most comprehensive C-UAS offerings, supporting both civilian and defence customers.
OSL CEO Mark Legh-Smith said joining Terma enables “faster detection, smarter classification and coordinated action,” enhancing protection for airspace and critical infrastructure worldwide.
UKSA Joins IMEO to Tackle Methane
The UK Space Agency has partnered with the UN’s International Methane Emissions Observatory and satellite operator GHGSat to deliver high-resolution methane data for global emissions tracking. Using GHGSat’s commercial satellites, the collaboration provides precise, facility-level measurements to support IMEO’s verification systems and the UK’s methane-reduction commitments.
The initiative underpins the Global Methane Pledge goal of cutting emissions by 30% by 2030 and contributes to the UK’s updated Methane Action Plan. IMEO said the UK-backed data is already validating mitigation projects and improving long-term emissions monitoring across multiple countries. GHGSat added that the partnership demonstrates how commercial space technology can directly support climate action.
StirlingX Extends Seed Round to £8m as Former GCHQ Chief Joins
British drone and data-intelligence startup StirlingX has expanded its seed round to £8.3 million ($11m), following the appointment of former GCHQ director Sir Jeremy Fleming as chairman.
StirlingX develops drones, autonomous systems and analytics tools used across critical national infrastructure, including projects for National Grid. The funding extension was led by the RCM Private Markets Fund, with participation from GALLOS Technologies, ONE9, and angel investors.
CEO Dean Jones said the investment will accelerate delivery of secure, sovereign technology for infrastructure and defence clients. Fleming said StirlingX’s progress highlights the vital role of British innovation in strengthening allied capabilities.
The startup is now positioned to scale its platform and expand across defence and critical-infrastructure markets.
Women in Defence UK Reveals 2025 Award Winners
Women in Defence UK has announced the winners of its 10th anniversary awards, celebrating exceptional contributions across the Armed Forces, government and industry. The event brought together more than 500 attendees and recognised 33 finalists across 11 categories, underscoring ongoing efforts to advance gender equity in defence.
Defence Secretary John Healey and Minister Louise Sandher-Jones praised the winners for driving innovation, leadership and cultural change across the sector. Angela Owen OBE, founder of Women in Defence UK, said the milestone reflects a decade of recognising those who strengthen and inspire the defence community.
LNN Abigail Wright of the Royal Navy was named Woman of the Year 2025, topping a list of standout winners that included the first-ever International Award, featuring finalists from Georgia, Brunei and Sweden.