MoD Launches £134M Grenade Procurement Drive
The UK Ministry of Defence has issued a £134 million tender for the supply of hand grenades over the next seven years. The contract seeks industry partners to deliver various grenade types, including fragmentation and smoke variants, to support British Armed Forces training and operations.
The deal is part of the MoD’s broader effort to ensure consistent access to essential munitions and strengthen supply chain resilience. Bidders are expected to meet strict safety, performance, and delivery standards.
UK-India Trade Deal Delivers £6bn Boost and 2,200 Jobs
The UK and India have signed a major trade deal worth nearly £6 billion, creating over 2,200 UK jobs and boosting GDP by £4.8 billion annually. Tariffs on UK goods entering India will drop from 15% to 3%, benefiting aerospace, automotive, and advanced manufacturing sectors.
Key wins:
- £5bn Airbus & Rolls-Royce deals
- £30m Rolls-Royce/HAL investment in India
- £10m UK expansion by Zerowatt Energy
- £50m in Indian contracts for Smiths Detection
- £2m airport services contracts for ARUP
The deal also strengthens cooperation in defence, tech, clean energy, and law enforcement.
UK and Türkiye Advance Typhoon Fighter Jet Deal
The UK and Türkiye have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to progress a Typhoon fighter jet export deal-potentially the UK’s first since 2017. The agreement, signed at the Istanbul Defence Fair, could support 20,000 UK jobs and boost the defence industry.
Over 37% of each Typhoon would be built in the UK, with final assembly at BAE Systems’ Warton site. The MoD, soon to lead defence exports, sees the deal as part of a wider push to grow UK defence exports, which hit £14.5bn last year.
Typhoons remain central to NATO air operations and the UK’s air defence strategy into the 2040s.
AUKUS Pact to Create 7,000 UK Jobs, Boost £20bn Trade
The UK and Australia have signed a 50-year AUKUS treaty, strengthened defence ties and enabled construction of nuclear-powered submarines. The agreement will create 7,000 UK jobs and generate up to £20 billion in exports over 25 years.
Part of the SSN-AUKUS programme, the deal supports over 21,000 UK roles at peak and advances a shared commitment to Indo-Pacific security. The UK’s Carrier Strike Group joined Australia’s largest military exercise, reinforcing regional partnerships.
The treaty aligns with the UK’s “Plan for Change,” combining national security with economic growth and increased defence spending.
Cubic Wins UK MoD Deal for Next-Gen Army Training
Cubic Defence UK has secured a two-year contract to deliver ILT-A, a cutting-edge training system combining laser, live-fire, and drone tech. Replacing AWES, ILT-A boosts realism, data capture, and allied interoperability for British Army exercises up to brigade level.
The deal includes system upgrades and supports future force development.
Kromek Wins £1.7M Radiation Detector Contract
Kromek has won a £1.7 million contract under the UK Government’s Radiological Nuclear Detection Framework to supply its D3S-ID wearable radiation detectors, along with training and maintenance services for the Home Office.
The award marks Kromek’s first order under the four-year framework, where it is pre-approved to supply handheld, wearable, and static detection systems. Most of the revenue will be recognised in the current financial year, supporting growth in its CBRN Detection segment.
CEO Arnab Basu said the contract underscores Kromek’s leadership in radiological detection and positions it for further strategic wins.
BAE Systems Powers UK Jobs, Innovation & Growth
In 2024, BAE Systems supported 160,000 UK jobs and contributed £13.7bn to GDP. With 50,000 staff across 50+ sites, it invested £495m in infrastructure, spent £5.8bn with suppliers, and exported £3.6bn.
It led £6.8bn in R&D over five years, ranked 6th globally for patents, and backed 80 PhDs. £1bn went into skills and training, including 4,650 apprentices and 1.3 million students reached via STEM outreach.
Regionally, BAE sustained:
- NW England: 48,400 jobs, £850m spend
- Scotland: 14,000 jobs, £500m
- SE England: 31,900 jobs, £1.6bn
- Other UK regions: 28,000+ jobs
Its operations boost defence, drive innovation, and strengthen communities nationwide.
UK Army Unveils Rapid AI Targeting System
The British Army has trialled the new AI-powered Dismounted Data System (DDS), enabling faster, more accurate targeting on the battlefield. Developed under Project ASGARD with DE&S and Defence Digital, DDS slashes decision-making time from hours to minutes.
Part of a £1bn plan to build a digital targeting web by 2027, DDS was deployed just four months after contract award and tested during NATO exercises in Estonia. ASGARD aims to boost Army lethality tenfold by integrating advanced firepower, autonomy, and data connectivity.
Anduril UK Boosts MoD Battlefield Comms
Anduril UK’s Lattice Mesh tech, tested under Project Asgard, enabled real-time frontline-to-HQ data transfer, accelerating decision-making and kill-chain speed. Integrated within a day, it connects legacy and modern systems into one resilient kill web.
Proven during NATO’s Griffin Lightning, the system supports the UK’s push for agile, autonomous forces.
Marshall, Romaero to Maintain Romanian C-130s
Marshall and Romaero will jointly deliver depot maintenance for Romania’s C-130 fleet under a new agreement. The partnership supports Romania’s airlift modernisation with in-country maintenance, engineering, and logistics.
Work begins in 2026, boosting NATO defence ties.
TEKEVER Acquires West Wales Airport to Boost UK Defence
TEKEVER has acquired West Wales Airport to serve as a national hub for testing AI-driven unmanned systems. The site, offering 2,500 square miles of restricted airspace, supports TEKEVER’s £400M OVERMATCH programme to strengthen UK and NATO defence capabilities.
Already used for R&D with the UK Home Office and Royal Navy, the airport will now expand access to government, allies, and industry partners. The move will drive innovation, create skilled jobs, and bolster the UK’s defence ecosystem.
CEO Ricardo Mendes said the acquisition accelerates TEKEVER’s growth and defence ambitions in the UK.
UK Army Unveils ASGARD Targeting System
The British Army has introduced ASGARD, a new AI-powered targeting system that drastically shortens strike decision time and improves precision. Trialled in Estonia, it’s part of a £1bn Digital Targeting Web plan to boost Army lethality tenfold by 2027.
Developed in just four months through military-industry collaboration, ASGARD uses AI and autonomous systems to connect sensors and weapons, enabling faster, smarter battlefield decisions. It’s seen as a key lesson learned from Ukraine and a cornerstone of future UK and NATO operations.
Evolve Dynamics Unveils NATO-Series ISR Drones
Evolve Dynamics has launched its FOXE-NATO and WOLFE-NATO tactical ISR drones—lightweight, rugged systems designed for frontline use.
FOXE-NATO offers AI-driven ISR in a 250g portable frame, while the 4kg WOLFE-NATO delivers long-range missions with modular payloads and 63-minute endurance. Both use a shared COMMANDER control system for seamless operation, training, and scalability.
A training variant, WOLFE-T, supports skill development without risking active assets.
NP Aerospace Launches Global CAV Support Services
NP Aerospace has expanded its through-life vehicle support services to the Civilian Armoured Vehicle (CAV) market. Building on experience with 18,000+ military vehicles and the 2024 acquisition of Jankel Armouring assets, the company now supports 100+ CAVs and is targeting global growth.
The vehicle-agnostic offering includes training, maintenance, spare parts, upgrades, and disposal. CEO James Kempston said the service applies to any fleet, anywhere, enhancing lifecycle value-particularly for NP’s LC300 platform.
FCDO Picks NSSLGlobal for Secure Comms
FCDO Services has selected NSSLGlobal to deliver satellite hardware, airtime, training, and 24/7 support for UK diplomatic and crisis-response communications. The deal includes Eutelsat OneWeb LEO broadband, enabling fast, secure connectivity in remote or high-risk areas.
The partnership strengthens the UK’s global communications resilience, supporting embassies, consulates, and field teams with high-speed, low-latency connectivity. NSSLGlobal, a UK-based satellite comms provider, operates across Europe, the US, and Asia.
VIVO Defence Wins Gold for Armed Forces Support
VIVO Defence Services has earned the MoD’s Gold Employer Recognition Award just three years after its launch, recognising its strong commitment to the armed forces community.
Over 11% of VIVO’s 1,500 staff are veterans, and the company met its pledge for 20% of new hires to have military ties within a year. Initiatives include a guaranteed interview scheme, paid leave for reservists, a veteran support network, and partnerships with military charities.
CEO Jerry Moloney said the award reflects VIVO’s dedication to supporting veterans and delivering social value.
DSEI UK Hosts Defence Innovation Talks
DSEI UK hosted a roundtable uniting MoD officials and key defence tech players, including QinetiQ and Dell, to address accelerating innovation amid evolving global threats.
Topics included SME support, dual-use tech, and talent development-key themes ahead of the new Defence Industrial Strategy and DSEI London this September.
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