Ultra Maritime Secures £40m MoD Sonobuoy Contract
Ultra Maritime has been awarded a £40 million contract by the UK Ministry of Defence to supply sonobuoys for the Royal Navy’s Merlin Mk2 helicopters.
The sensors will strengthen the UK’s anti-submarine warfare capability, supporting undersea surveillance and deterrence from RNAS Culdrose. The contract also underpins UK manufacturing jobs and includes work on next-generation, miniaturised sonobuoys for future uncrewed systems.
Babcock and ASELSAN Sign MoU to Support RAF Training
Babcock and ASELSAN have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore support for the Royal Air Force’s future training needs under the Next Generation Operational Training (NGOT) programme.
The collaboration will assess a Surface Electronic Warfare Threat (SEWT) training system designed to simulate modern integrated air defence systems, enhancing aircrew readiness against evolving threats.
By combining Babcock’s operational training expertise with ASELSAN’s electronic warfare capabilities, the partnership aims to develop a realistic, scalable simulation environment to better prepare RAF aircrew for complex missions.
Marshall Aerospace and Nordiq Team on Defence Medical Tech
Marshall Aerospace and Nordiq Products have launched an industrial cooperation project to advance a next-generation defence vital signs monitoring system.
The collaboration will support LiSa (Life Saver), Nordiq’s ultra-portable medical monitoring technology designed for use in challenging operational environments. Marshall will provide defence expertise across requirements, testing and route-to-market, under Norway’s Industrial Cooperation programme, strengthening UK–Norway defence ties.
£80m Skills Boost to Support UK Defence Industry
The UK government has announced an £80 million investment to expand defence-critical courses and facilities, strengthening the future workforce for the defence sector.
The funding will support around 2,400 new student places in engineering and computer science and upgrade university facilities. It forms part of the Defence Industrial Strategy and will be linked to a new Defence Universities Alliance to ensure graduates move into defence-related roles.
British Army to Receive AI-Enabled Radios and Tablets
The Ministry of Defence has awarded an £86 million contract to UK SME BlackTree Technologies to deliver new AI-capable radios, headsets and tablets for British soldiers.
The Dismounted Data System (DDS) will provide real-time voice and visual intelligence, improving situational awareness, speeding decision-making and reducing friendly fire risk. The system has already been tested by UK troops deployed in Estonia.
Delivery begins this year, with full rollout by 2027. The contract will create 12 UK defence jobs and supports the Army’s ambition to significantly increase battlefield lethality by 2027, while reinforcing the government’s drive to back UK defence SMEs.
UK Transfers Former HMS Enterprise to Bangladesh
The UK and Bangladesh have signed a government-to-government defence agreement for the transfer of the former Royal Navy survey vessel HMS Enterprise to the Bangladesh Navy.
The Echo-class hydrographic and oceanographic ship will enhance Bangladesh’s maritime security, survey and scientific research capabilities, supporting regional stability and disaster-response operations. The agreement was signed at Bangladesh Navy Headquarters in Dhaka following extensive technical engagement between the Bangladesh Navy, the UK Ministry of Defence and the Royal Navy.
The UK said the transfer reflects strengthening defence ties with Bangladesh and supports shared objectives for maritime security and stability in the Bay of Bengal and wider Indo-Pacific region.
BAE Systems Launches ‘Launchpad’ Dual-Use Tech Incubator
BAE Systems has launched Launchpad, a new incubator to spin out defence-developed technologies into scalable civilian businesses.
The first spin-out, Rho-C, is commercialising submarine-derived technology that enables power and data transmission through solid materials, with applications in sectors such as energy and advanced manufacturing.
Launchpad supports the Defence Industrial Strategy’s push to move UK innovation beyond prototypes and into commercial markets.
UK and Japan Deepen Science and Technology Partnership
The UK and Japan have announced new joint investments in life sciences, quantum technologies and advanced connectivity, strengthening bilateral science and innovation ties.
The package includes a £6 million UK–Japan programme to develop resilient digital networks, three jointly funded quantum research projects targeting drug discovery, secure communications and GPS-denied navigation, and a planned £11 million investment by Orchard Therapeutics, backed by Kyowa Kirin.
The partnership also features a rare disease genomics pilot between Oxford Nanopore Technologies and Japan’s Genesis Healthcare, reinforcing a shared commitment to innovation-led growth, healthcare advances and digital resilience.
UK Space Agency Backs New Electric Propulsion Lab at Harwell
A new electric propulsion testing lab has opened at Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, supported by £1.8 million from the UK Space Agency and £2 million of private investment.
Built by Magdrive, the DEEP Lab provides shared facilities for testing next-generation satellite propulsion systems and is open to companies and researchers across the UK space sector, strengthening national space innovation capability.
IBA and STS Launch Aviation Asset Management Partnership
IBA Group Limited and Shannon Technical Services have formed a partnership to deliver integrated asset management and technical advisory services for aircraft lessors, airlines and MROs.
The collaboration combines IBA’s aviation data and valuation expertise with STS’s technical services, including CAMO, Part 21 and engine borescope inspections, to support complex aircraft and engine programmes through a structured, joint approach.
Westwire Opens New Swindon Manufacturing Facility
Westwire Harnessing has opened a new manufacturing facility in Swindon, tripling its production capacity and creating around 80 skilled jobs.
The site is Westwire’s second UK facility and expands its footprint to more than 21,000 sq ft, supporting growing demand across the defence and aerospace sectors. The company designs and manufactures mission-critical electrical wiring interconnect systems and electronic integrated systems for military aircraft, drones, land platforms and critical national infrastructure.
Founded in 1987, Westwire has nearly four decades of defence experience and has seen rapid growth since 2021, with revenues increasing almost fourfold. The new facility positions the company to double output again over the next three years, reinforcing its role in supporting UK defence capability and national security.
ITSA Reports 5% Growth in UK Connector Market in 2025
The Interconnect Technology Suppliers Association (ITSA) reports UK connector revenues rose 5% in 2025, in line with expectations, despite flat orders and B2B sales.
Distribution performed strongly, up 12%, while key markets including medical (+12%), mil/aero (+2%) and mass transport (+57%) saw growth. RF declined 16%, but this was offset by a 41% increase in value-added activity such as cable assemblies.
Looking ahead, ITSA members expect low single-digit growth in 2026, supported by programmes in the pipeline, with the UK interconnect market continuing to show resilience despite ongoing challenges.