MoD picks IrvinGQ for A400M boat airdrop (£25m)
IrvinGQ will deliver up to 25 PRIBAD systems for the UK A400M, enabling airdrop of 6–14m RHIBs up to 12t, with 10 years support and 20 jobs secured in Bridgend. Package includes ancillaries, testing and integration, 500 prior drops cited.
Now in Demonstration & Manufacture, with flight trials late 2025 early 2026 (ATEC/QinetiQ, ASWC). Tranche deliveries run to 2028/29 with RAF/Army training, supporting high/very high readiness tasks.
MoD awards Teledyne Marine REPMUS support (2025–28)
Teledyne Marine has won a multi-year UK MoD contract to support NATO’s REPMUS unmanned systems exercises from 2025 to 2028. REPMUS 2025 runs 8–25 Sept in Tróia/Sesimbra, Portugal, hosted by the Portuguese Navy with NATO, drawing 2,000 participants from allies, industry and academia.
Teledyne will provide autonomous marine vehicle tech and operational support to improve integration and interoperability of unmanned systems in complex maritime operations.
Norway picks UK Type 26 frigates
Norway has selected BAE Systems’ Type 26 as its next frigate in its largest-ever defence investment, prioritising anti-submarine warfare. Deliveries from 2030 will replace Fridtjof Nansen-class ships and align Norway with the Royal Navy’s City-class for tighter interoperability.
An intergovernmental deal and industrial participation framework with Norwegian firms will precede contracts a detailed package will go to Parliament for approval.
Navantia UK cuts steel for £8m FSS barge at Methil
Scottish Secretary Ian Murray kicked off fabrication of an £8m, 85m × 25m, 1,400-tonne transport barge at Navantia UK’s Methil yard.
The vessel will ferry ship blocks between Appledore and Belfast for the Royal Navy’s Fleet Solid Support programme, creating 35 jobs (including 14 apprentices) and positioning Methil for future defence work. The barge is designed for long term use beyond FSS.
UK MoD launches NIGHTFALL TBM
Early engagement open to 18 Sep 2025 for a ground-launched missile 500 km range, 200 kg HE, CEP50 5 m in GNSS-denied/EM-contested ops 10 min time-to-target, 2 per mobile launcher fired within 15 min, egress in 5 min.
Target £500k per effector, scale 10/month, demo 9 months post-award, serial 3–6 months. Industry day, 24 Sep, down select to funded 2026 demos.
Bohemia Interactive Simulations wins Canadian Army DVT contract
BISim (a BAE Systems, Inc. subsidiary) has a five-year enterprise licence with three optional maintenance years to deliver the Digital Virtual Trainer for Canada’s DND.
The interoperable system uses VBS4 with Blue IG, AAR/exercise control tools, and TerraTools Platinum for rapid geo specific terrain, enabling immersive training from dismounted drills to large scale combined-arms exercises.
AmSafe Bridport inks exclusive defence distribution deal with AAR
AmSafe Bridport has signed a multiyear agreement naming AAR the exclusive distributor for KC-46 and C-40 platform products across the global defence aftermarket, including the U.S. DLA, U.S. Armed Services, and foreign militaries (notably Japan).
The deal broadens AAR’s portfolio into cargo-handling lines and leverages its Government Programs unit for contract support, while AmSafe Bridport provides safety restraint and cargo solutions with 24/7 AOG and spares support.
MoD plans £26m AMPA support for DXC
The MoD intends a £26m, 31-month single-source award (Sep 2025–Mar 2028) to Enterprise Services Defence & Security UK (DXC) to support two AMPA variants (design-org and post-design).
Citing air safety and MAA Design Organisation requirements, the MoD deems DXC sole capable, legal basis DSPCR 2011 Regs 6(3A) (b), 7(1)(a).Oversight, C2/Targeting/Navigation/Comms Team. AMPA underpins multi-platform mission planning.
UK funds £14.1m Honeywell-led STRATA
Government backs Project STRATA via the ATI Programme to use AI and additive manufacturing for faster design, lower Scope 3 emissions, and stronger supply chains.
Five components in ECS/CPCS plus next-gen thermal management to cut energy/fuel use. Partners include 3T Additive Manufacturing, BeyondMath, Qdot, and the Oxford Thermofluids Institute, led from Honeywell’s Yeovil site.
Japan to deploy F-15s to UK for first time
JASDF F-15Js and support aircraft will deploy to the UK for unit exchanges with the RAF, deepening ties from Operation HIGHMAST and ahead of GCAP.
The move coincides with the UK Carrier Strike Group’s Japan visit (UK F-35Bs landed on JS Kaga), partners target a GCAP contract by end 2025 and deliveries from 2035, while jointly criticising China, North Korea and Iran for backing Russia.
UK extends Ukraine training to 2026
Operation INTERFLEX is extended to end 2026, marking Ukrainian Independence Day. The UK-led programme has trained 50,000 troops and is shifting to a 7-week syllabus with added leadership and instructor courses to help regenerate Ukraine’s forces.
Support this year includes £4.5bn in aid, £1.6bn for 5,000 air defence missiles, and £350m to scale drones from 10k (2024) to 100k (2025).
The UK and France are also leading Coalition of the Willing planning for potential multinational support under a future peace deal.
Royal Navy trials AI for ship upkeep
At a 27 August Project Innovate event, engineers from FSU Archimedes and FSU Brunel explored using AI for analysis, maintenance and predictive failure to cut downtime and improve stores support.
Tech firms C3.ai, AWS and Squarcle demoed tools, as the Navy moves to embed AI in engineers’ continuous professional development to deliver faster, more resilient support at home and on deployment.
Aurrigo £700k for autonomous cargo at East Midlands
Aurrigo won £700k from the CAM Pathfinder Enhancements programme to accelerate its Ramp Ready trials at East Midlands Airport over nine months, deploying two Auto Cargo EVs (16,500kg total payload) and an 8 seat Auto Shuttle to prove multi vehicle airside logistics.
The award is part of £1m across four Aurrigo projects with Innovate UK Launchpad, supporting studies/trials in the Orkney Islands and West Midlands with partners IAG, HITRAINS and Urban Foresight.
Bright Ascension launches U.S. subsidiary
Space software firm Bright Ascension has opened Bright Ascension Inc. to expand in the U.S., part of a five-year growth plan backed by investors.
The push centres on HELIX, the company’s end-to-end mission software ecosystem linking spacecraft build, launch, on-orbit ops and service delivery aimed at faster time to orbit, streamlined operations, scalable growth, and lower costs.
CEO Sandy Damm said the move strengthens customer ties and access to U.S. capital while reinforcing a long-term innovation roadmap.
DSEI 2025 to host four allied warships
9 to12 Sept, ExCeL London Visiting ships, HMS Iron Duke (Type 23), HMS Example (Archer), BNS Pollux, FGS Sachsen.
Twice daily water demos will feature L3Harris Shadow Fox, ACUA Ocean USV Pioneer, and Latvian unmanned systems (torpedo/air-defence payloads), highlighting DSEI’s expanded maritime focus.