UK Ministry of Defence awards £113m logistics deal
The UK Ministry of Defence has awarded a £113m contract to the Digital Allies consortium (PA Consulting and Accenture) to deliver Defence Logistics Information Services (DLIS), completing the £466m Business Modernisation for Support (BMfS) programme.
DLIS will replace 10 legacy systems with a single digital platform covering inventory, munitions, warehousing and freight, improving readiness and NATO interoperability.
The three contracts together are expected to support up to 235 UK jobs and modernise defence logistics for future operations.
Raytheon UK to Supply MQ-9B Anti-Jam Systems
Raytheon UK has won a contract from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) to deliver around 140 Landshield Plus GPS anti-jamming systems for the MQ-9B family, including SkyGuardian and SeaGuardian. Deliveries begin in 2026.
Landshield Plus protects critical navigation and timing signals in GPS-contested environments, ensuring resilient positioning for long-range, mission-critical operations.
The award expands Landshield’s airborne role, with Raytheon UK’s APNT systems already deployed globally across air, land and maritime platforms.
BAE Systems & Frankenburg Technologies Counter-Drone MoU
BAE Systems has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Frankenburg Technologies to develop affordable, mass-producible missile warheads for counter-drone operations.
The partnership combines BAE’s munitions expertise with Frankenburg’s disruptive missile technology to accelerate next-generation sovereign counter-UAS capability, delivering scalable and cost-effective solutions to emerging aerial threats.
Ukrspecsystems Opens £200m Suffolk Drone Factory
Ukrainian drone maker Ukrspecsystems has opened a £200 million production facility in Suffolk, creating up to 500 UK jobs and strengthening defence ties between Britain and Ukraine.
Based in Mildenhall and Elmsett, the site will produce, test and train operators on systems including the PD-2 and SHARK-M drones, already used by Ukraine against Russian forces.
Opened by Defence Minister Luke Pollard, the factory supports the UK’s £4.5 billion military assistance package and forms part of the UK-Ukraine 100-Year Partnership, boosting industrial resilience and sustained support for Kyiv.
Bristol Airport Awards £30m Terminal Deal to Farrans
Bristol Airport has appointed Farrans to deliver a £30 million two-storey terminal extension as part of its £400 million upgrade programme.
The expansion will increase floor space by 45%, add 17 new retail and food outlets, expand arrivals capacity by 20%, and support growth to 12 million passengers per year. Works are being delivered in a live airport environment, with completion following Farrans’ earlier £60 million Public Transport Interchange project.
United Kingdom and Norway Naval Helicopter Pact
The United Kingdom and Norway have signed a pact to expand cooperation on naval helicopter training, maintenance and sustainment.
The agreement strengthens interoperability between the Royal Navy and Royal Norwegian Navy, supporting NATO operations in the North Atlantic and High North. By aligning logistics and training, both nations aim to boost readiness and maritime security amid rising regional tensions.
Schiebel to establish UK entity
Schiebel will establish a UK entity following the Royal Navy success of its Peregrine RWUAS, delivered with Thales UK.
The move supports future UK land and joint-domain programmes and will enable in-country manufacturing and upgrades. Schiebel also plans to introduce its larger CAMCOPTER S-300 for extended ISR and autonomous operations.
Aircraft Orders Hit Six-Year High in Strong Start to 2026
Aircraft orders rose 71% year-on-year in January 2026 to 156 jets, the strongest January in over six years driven by robust single-aisle demand.
Deliveries dipped 7% to 66 aircraft but remained higher than any January since 2019.
The global backlog reached a record 16,456 aircraft, equating to roughly 13 years of work and up to £267 billion in potential value for the UK supply chain, according to ADS.
Finland Showcases Space Capabilities in UK
Finland hosted UK defence leaders in London to present Arctic-tested space technologies in Earth Observation, PNT and resilient situational awareness.
Six Finnish firms, ICEYE, Kuva Space, Kelluu, Modirum Platforms, ReOrbit and SharpNav, highlighted capabilities including SAR imaging, hyperspectral EO, GPS-resilient systems and secure satellite connectivity for contested environments.
Talks focused on strengthening UK-Finland cooperation, accelerating pilots into operational capability and reducing European dependency in space and defence.
Babcock International hits Type 31 twin milestone
Babcock has marked two milestones on the Royal Navy’s Type 31 programme, the Steel Cut for HMS Bulldog (Ship 4) and the Rollout of HMS Active (Ship 2).
The events highlight the pace of the modular build programme, which supports around 2,500 UK jobs and strengthens sovereign shipbuilding capability.
Based on the Arrowhead 140 design, the five Inspiration-class frigates will deliver adaptable, export-backed capability for decades of maritime operations.
BMT Group launches DISC in Fareham
BMT Group has opened its Digital Innovation & Simulation Centre (DISC) in Fareham to support defence and commercial maritime programmes.
The facility combines its REMBRANDT navigation simulator, immersive bridge systems and digital twin technologies to de-risk ship design, autonomy assurance and complex maritime operations.
Griffon Marine Delivers CRC Upgrade for Royal Marines
Griffon Marine has completed the conversion of 25 Offshore Raiding Craft into enhanced Commando Raiding Craft for the Royal Marines.
The upgrades extend service life and improve speed, range, manoeuvrability, and mission flexibility, supporting modern dispersed littoral operations.
Defence Equipment & Support said the programme strengthens operational capability and long-term sustainability.
Global defence spending reaches $2.63tn
Global defence spending rose to $2.63 trillion in 2025, up 2.5%, driven by intensifying great power rivalry, according to the International Institute for Strategic Studies.
US strategy has pivoted toward homeland defence and burden-sharing, while Russia’s military spending is now roughly triple its 2021 level. Europe’s share of global spending has climbed to 21%, led by Germany.
China now accounts for nearly 44% of Asia’s defence expenditure and continues rapid naval expansion. Middle East and North Africa spending reached $219bn, averaging 4.3% of GDP.