Ukrainian drone maker, Ukrspecsystems, announces £200m investment in East Anglia
Ukraine’s largest drone manufacturer, Ukrspecsystems, has confirmed plans to invest £200 million in East Anglia, including a new 11,000m² factory at Mildenhall and a test and training site at Elmsett, Suffolk. The project is expected to create up to 500 jobs, with recruitment starting later this year. Production is due to begin in early 2026.
The announcement follows recent job losses at Lotus in Norfolk and is seen as a significant boost for the region. The company has also signalled further UK expansion over the next three years.
Defence Procurement Minister Maria Eagle MP welcomed the move, saying it would strengthen the UK’s Armed Forces, grow the defence industrial base, and create jobs. Local leaders described the investment as a major opportunity for East Anglia.
Ukrspecsystems, whose drones are widely used by Ukraine’s Armed Forces, will be exhibiting at DSEI 2025 in London, where additional UK partnerships are expected to be announced.
MoD taps Tiberius for ramjet 155mm trials
The UK MoD has contracted Tiberius Aerospace to fast-track trials of Sceptre (TRBM-155HG), a liquid-fuelled ramjet 155mm round.
Claimed specs 150 km range, Mach 3.5, 5 m CEP in GPS-denied conditions, 5.2 kg payload, NATO 155mm compatible, the US DIU will support independent test verification.
Roke wins £20m to advance ZODIAC
Roke secured a £20m deal to mature the Army’s ZODIAC sensor-to-shooter C2 network over the next year via a rapid software-factory approach, aligning with SDR 2025, the Digital Targeting Web and ASGARD.
Proven at War fighter 25-4 with real-time US interoperability, a soldier-driven update was delivered in 72 hours, trimming the kill chain by 20 seconds.
BAE, GM Defence, NP Aerospace bid to modernise UK Army fleet
BAE Systems, GM Defense and NP Aerospace have formed Team LionStrike to compete for the MoD’s Land Mobility Programme.
GM Defence will supply vehicle platforms (including the ISV), BAE will militarise and integrate them, and NP Aerospace will act as UK design authority and support lead.
The bid promises rapid fielding, lower costs and UK supply-chain jobs; a showcase is planned at DSEI London from 9 September.
£340m Rosyth upgrade could add third UK nuclear-sub base
The MoD will invest £340m at Rosyth, including a contingent dock for HMS Dreadnought Sea trials.
Babcock is in talks with government to maintain working nuclear submarines there easing Clyde/Devonport pressure as the fleet grows to 12 SSNs.
Scope under review minimal provision vs expanded maintenance capacity.
Babcock, PGZ expand defence tie-up
Babcock and Poland’s PGZ signed a strategic cooperation deal to jointly design, build and support naval assets (including Miecznik frigates based on Arrowhead 140) and sustain military aircraft, deepening their industrial partnership in Poland.
Willmott Dixon lands £15.3m Catterick revamp
Willmott Dixon will deliver a £15.3m town-centre upgrade for Catterick Garrison by winter 2026, adding a Shute Road civic square, Community & Enterprise hub, Coronation Park improvements, and better walking/cycling links.
Funded via the £19m Levelling Up Fund with DIO and council match, the project targets 10 local jobs, 200+ apprenticeship weeks, 17 placements, and 350 hours of employment support.
Czech MoD orders 18 Supacat HMT Extenda vehicles
Supacat has won its first Czech contract for 18 HMT Mk3 Extenda (Jackal 3–style) vehicles for the 601st Special Forces Group, replacing ageing Land Rovers.
The modular, mine-protected platform offers 4×4/6×6 reconfiguration and 120 km/h performance, with mission kits for ISTAR, C-UAS, comms and fire support.
Czech partner LPP will deliver significant industrial workshare, Supacat will showcase the type at DSEI.
Solus Power wins DASA backing for Kratos battery
UK DASA is funding Solus Power working with Dstl and the Royal Navy’s Future Commando Force to fast-track field trials of Kratos, a rugged, low-signature, chainable Li-ion jerry can battery for off-grid comms, sensors and medical posts, deployable by hand, vehicle or drone.
JFD, Saab team on undersea support
JFD Global and Saab signed a Strategic Cooperation Agreement to collaborate on Swedish underwater programs starting with submarine rescue systems and wider undersea technologies.
JFD has supported the Royal Swedish Navy since 2010 (URF rescue vehicle, ANSTI testing) and maintains a 30-person team at Rindö/Vaxholm.
The pact blends JFD’s local footprint with Saab Kockums expertise to deliver integrated rescue, diving, and submarine solutions for Sweden and export markets.
Argon wins Polish CBRN training deal
Argon Electronics will equip Poland’s Military University of Land Forces with AP4C and S4PE simulators integrated with PlumeSIM, enabling realistic, risk-free chemical hazard training.
The UK firm will also provide instructor training and support via local partner Megmar Logistics & Consulting.
G3 Systems sets EU supply chain for Dutch WTB deal
UK-based G3 Systems has lined up Variel Defence (CZ), Zamet-Glowno (PL) and Nordic Shelter (EE) to deliver 700 flatracks/containers for the Netherlands MoD’s WTB programme, with a 30-month delivery and 15-year support phase, first units due by end-2026.
Kendrew Barracks adds 126 modular en-suite rooms
The British Army has opened new Single Living Accommodation at Kendrew Barracks: 126 en-suite rooms delivered by DIO and Volumec under the Army’s SLA programme.
The modular blocks feature kitchens, communal space and green tech (solar, air-source heat pumps, smart energy management).
Two more blocks at Wattisham and Weeton complete later this year.
Rohde & Schwarz UK wins ERS Silver
Awarded Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Silver on 3 Sept 2025 at HMNB Portsmouth, the firm was one of 24 South East employers honoured or Armed Forces Covenant support covering reservists, mobilisations, veterans and families upgrading its prior bronze status.
NP Aerospace unveils women’s body armour
UK-designed system pairs curved hard plates with women’s soft inserts and a dedicated carrier (with Logistik Unicorp), offered in multiple sizes/curvatures for better fit and protection, public debut at DSEI UK 2025.
Allen-Vanguard debuts SECURIS mobile C-UAS trailer
Unveiled at DSEI 2025 (London), SECURIS is a rapid-deploy counter-drone trailer integrating Metis SKYPERION RF detection, Blighter A400 radar, Openworks Vision Flex optics, and Allen-Vanguard’s ANCILE RF jammers on an EdeyFX chassis.
Its modular, open-architecture design supports Protection-as-a-Service and rapid tech refresh to counter evolving UAS threats.
Leidos unveils Sea Dagger CIC
Leidos revealed Sea Dagger, a 40-kt, long-range Commando Insertion Craft concept for the Royal Navy, integrating AI-enabled autonomy, modular mission systems and onboard weapons, the UK Commando Force program targets 24 craft for contested littorals.
ISTEC launches Mk2 softmount for M2 HMG at DSEI
ISTEC Services unveiled its Mk2 Softmount for the 12.7mm M2/M2 QCB at DSEI 2025. The buffered, modular mount cuts peak felt recoil by about 40%, adds an auxiliary handlebar trigger, and can accept a 70mm rocket launcher via an interface plate for organic fires.
It’s shown on a naval pedestal, a tripod with launcher, and a top the Ferring Pioneer X, another unit appears on Precision Technic Defence’s stand with the SWESS sight.
With thousands of ISTEC softmounts already in NATO service since the 1990s, land and maritime trials of the Mk2 are underway, with orders expected.
GKN expands Connecticut for 3D-printed fan-case rings
GKN Aerospace is enlarging its Newington, CT site to add an additive line for Fan Case Mount Rings (FCMR) used on Pratt & Whitney GTF engines (A220, E195-E2), creating new jobs.
The FAA-certified FCMR called the largest flight-critical printed part targets 100% serial production by end-2025.
GKN’s process cuts lead times and save 70% material, output is currently 30 units/month in Sweden, with U.S. capacity set to ramp. The move builds on a $50m (2024) investment GKN employs 450+ in Connecticut.
Zenith Aviation becomes Honeywell channel partner
Zenith Aviation has gained Honeywell Channel Partner status to maintain TFE731 engines and APUs under MSP, bringing work in-house for faster, cheaper turnarounds.
Backed by OPUL, the firm is making its largest-ever investment in facilities, tooling, staff and training, joining Honeywell’s global authorised network and targeting multi-million revenue growth. Gary Tims joins as Director of Maintenance to lead the expansion, with plans to extend Part-145 services into the Middle East.
ZeroAvia completes ZA600 ground test
ZeroAvia ran a 2h38m, 250-nm simulated Cessna 208B flight on its certification-intent ZA600 LTPEM fuel-cell system each 200-kW module delivered 170 kW (take-off), 132 kW (climb) and 83 kW (cruise), four modules will power a 600-kW motor.
A new passive Venturi H₂ recirculator cuts parasitic load and simplifies certification full engine ground tests are next at its UK 2-MW lab.
OSS antennas expand Lacuna’s IoT network
Oxford Space Systems has added two helical, deployable antennas to Lacuna Space’s IoT constellation, reaching 10 successful OSS antenna launches with a 100% in-orbit record.
Operating in LPD-S 868/915 MHz and optimized for CubeSats, the antennas support Lacuna’s open-standards global IoT services across agriculture, environment and utilities, with four more satellites due soon.
BAE: AI tops defence digital plans
A BAE Systems Digital Intelligence survey of 540 defence/aerospace leaders found 82% put AI at the core of strategy, amid 97% reporting pressure to keep assets mission-ready and 81% prioritising transformation in 2025.
About two-thirds are upping spend on digital asset management vs 2024, but face interoperability and data-overload hurdles.
BAE highlighted its PropheSEA platform used by the Royal Navy and NATO allies to fuse asset data and speed decisions, respondents also flagged standards-based tech, condition-based monitoring, simulation and PLM/ERP as near-term enablers.
UK defence FDI hits £1.4bn, 1,700+ jobs
Since July 2024, the UK has attracted £1.4bn+ in defence FDI, creating 1,700+ jobs across manufacturing, engineering and services.
Investments span a drone plant (Hampshire), shipbuilding (Belfast) and artillery production (Telford), with a refreshed Defence Industrial Strategy to deepen supply chains.
Recent moves include Ultra Maritime’s £20m Greenford sonobuoy plant (100 roles, 35 new) and Aaronite’s £100m AI R&D expansion in London (100 jobs).
Defence Secretary John Healey said the surge strengthens both security and growth.
ADS: Deliveries hit highest YTD since 2019
UK trade body ADS says 116 jets were delivered in July, taking YTD to 712 best since 2019.
July orders 38, YTD orders 1,200 (+95% YoY). Backlog at a record 16,166 aircraft (£255bn, 15 years of work).
ADS pegs 2025 deliveries in the 1,172–1,340 range.
UK shifts to partnership-led defence strategy
- Centralised stewardship: Moves from decentralised best value buys to a coordinated model aligning capability, industry and exports via multi-year, standards-based contracts.
- Focus areas: Munitions/missiles, AI & quantum, drones (air/land/subsea) and agile space, tighter pull-through from labs and SMEs to serial production.
- Finance & scale: Taps the City for patient capital to fund tooling, skills and supply chains keeps production lines warm.
- Alliances & sovereignty: Maintains US ties, deepens European programmes (esp. France) with clear roles/IP while retaining control of critical tech.