Tag: Ministry of Defence

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 3 July 2026.

The £4.6 billion contract awarded to industry joint venture Edgewing, funded jointly by the three partner nations, will advance the next stage of the aircraft’s design.

• £4.6 billion contract secured with Italy and Japan to deliver a next-generation combat aircraft.
• Major milestone in trilateral programme to bring a sixth-generation fighter jet into service from 2035.
• Comes as Defence Investment Plan confirmed that the UK will invest £8.6 billion in the programme over four years, supporting British jobs, innovation and national security.

Over £4 billion is being invested today in the next generation high-tech fighter jet, which will secure the skies and support skilled manufacturing jobs in Britain.

The contract, signed today, is a key milestone for the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), a groundbreaking collaboration between the UK, Japan and Italy to develop a sixth-generation combat aircraft, targeted to enter service in 2035.

It comes just after the Defence Investment Plan (DIP) confirmed this week that the UK would invest £8.6bn into the programme over four years.

Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry Luke Pollard MP said:

The Global Combat Air Programme will give our pilots a cutting-edge stealth fighter jet. Signing this £4.6 billion contract alongside Italy and Japan is a major step forward towards delivery.

This milestone strengthens our partnership with international allies, supports thousands of highly skilled jobs across the UK, and will give the RAF the tools they need to keep the UK safe, all backed by an £8.6bn commitment in the Defence Investment Plan.

The GCAP fighter jet will work alongside Typhoons, F-35s and autonomous systems as part of a next-generation Royal Air Force. The aircraft will use complex digital engineering, AI and ground-breaking technologies to be the most advanced fighter jet flown by the RAF.

The £4.6 billion contract, funded jointly by the three nations, has been awarded through the GCAP Agency to industry joint venture Edgewing, and will advance the next stage of the aircraft’s design by establishing its key requirements and rigorous testing. GCAP and the UK’s future combat air system has already delivered tangible advances in UK digital engineering and advanced manufacturing, including the use of AI, robotics, augmented reality and additive manufacturing to speed up design, testing and production processes.

GCAP delivers significant long-term economic benefits to the UK and is part of the UK’s future combat air system, which already helps support 4,500 jobs across the country. With a supply chain of approximately 600 organisations, the work strengthens the UK’s sovereign industrial base, securing skilled good manufacturing jobs.

The DIP committed over £1.1 billion of new funding to upgrade and sustain the RAF’s Typhoon force into the 2040s, £2.2 billion for purchasing new F-35s to expand the UK’s fleet of stealth fighter jets, and £300 million to begin developing a new UK autonomous combat aircraft.

GCAP brings together the industrial and technological strengths of all three nations, driving innovation and skills across key areas such as digital engineering, advanced propulsion, sensors and data systems, delivering a highly capable future combat air system.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 29 June 2026.

Britain’s Armed Forces will be strengthened and thousands of British jobs created through a drone transformation, announced by the Prime Minister and backed by more than £5 billion in the Government’s Defence Investment Plan.

• Largest ever drone investment in UK Armed Forces – more than £5 billion over the next four years – to be included in the Defence Investment Plan.
• Investment will drive a drone transformation for the UK Armed Forces, with new technology and infrastructure to keep the nation at the leading edge of innovation, and back British jobs.
• Prime Minister to launch Defence Investment Plan today (Tuesday 30 June), setting out how the Government will go further and faster on defence spending to protect the nation.

Britain’s Armed Forces will be strengthened and thousands of British jobs created through a drone transformation, announced by the Prime Minister today and backed by more than £5 billion in the Government’s Defence Investment Plan.    

In a major speech at a British defence firm today (Tuesday 30 June), the Prime Minister will set out how new investment in defence will accelerate the use of drones and autonomous systems across the Armed Forces and keep the country safe for years to come, as he launches the Defence Investment Plan.   

As the conflicts in Iran and Ukraine show, drones are rapidly reshaping warfare, with cheap systems destroying high value targets and innovation cycles measured in weeks, not years. 

Ukraine uses roughly 200,000 drones a month to defend itself from Russia’s barbaric invasion, while at the height of the Iran conflict, 700 offensive drones were being launched per day.  

The £5 billion investment will see Britain build a flexible, integrated force with attack drones flying alongside Army helicopters, RAF jets made invisible from enemy detection with new drones, and a hybrid Royal Navy made up of crewed and uncrewed vessels.   

It will also fund Europe’s biggest drone testing centre, the Uncrewed Systems Centre, opened earlier this month in Swindon, and a new Uncrewed Systems Taskforce to rapidly develop and field new autonomous capabilities with industry. This will ensure the UK can continuously scale production and get the very latest drones into the hands of our Armed Forces to protect the UK and our Allies.  

The Prime Minister will today lay out other key areas of the Defence Investment Plan and how the Government will go further and faster on defence spending to protect national security, drive growth across the country and deliver opportunity.  

The Defence Secretary has spent the last two weeks refocusing the DIP so that it prioritises getting the latest kit into the hands of military personnel, including for the UK’s elite Commandos. They will be equipped with new high-speed boats and the latest drone and autonomous technology. At least six new warships will also be built for the Royal Navy, delivering the UK’s most advanced maritime air defence capability and keeping British shipyards working for decades to come.   

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:   

This game-changing investment will strengthen our Armed Forces on land, at sea and in the air, ensuring our servicemen and women have the cutting-edge capabilities they need to deter evolving threats and keep the British people safe.

At the same time, we are backing British innovation, British industry and British jobs and delivering opportunity to every corner of the country.

Today’s Defence Investment Plan will help drive growth across the UK, giving our industrial base the confidence, certainty and support it needs to develop and scale the technologies that will keep our country safe and secure long into the future.

Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis MBE MP said:

Our Armed Forces are serving at an increasingly dangerous and unpredictable time. We are determined to give them what they need as they serve with courage and exceptional skill to keep us safe.

The character of warfare is rapidly changing. In Ukraine and the Middle East, uncrewed systems are defining conflicts. This largest ever UK investment into these evolving technologies will help our Armed Forces stay ahead of our adversaries, backed by the best of our defence industry. We are giving our extraordinary people the equipment they need to fight and win.

This major investment will see capabilities ranging from highly complex autonomous mine-hunting drones to small ‘quadcopter’ tactical drones, and low-cost ‘kamikaze’ one-way attack drones. The drone transformation will be accelerated across all the services:  

Royal Navy  

The Royal Navy is transforming into a Hybrid Navy, combining autonomous vessels and AI with warships and aircraft, including:    

• Type 91: Uncrewed missile platforms to increase the firepower of the Hybrid Fleet.  
• Type 92: Uncrewed sense platforms designed to hunt enemy submarines across the North Atlantic, supporting our new frigates.
• Type 93: Extra-large uncrewed underwater vessels which will work alongside crewed hunter-killer submarines to seek and destroy enemy submarines.  
• Type 94: Uncrewed sense platforms designed to scan the skies for threats to the hybrid navy or the homeland.  
• In the 2030s, we will expand the numbers of the above platforms and bring at least six Common Combat Vessels into service as the brain of a networked Maritime Air Defence system.    
• Project PANTHEON: Development of a Hybrid Carrier Air Wing, including trialling jet-powered drones to work alongside our F-35B force.  
• Our Royal Marine Commandos will benefit from further investment in their transformation, equipped with new high-speed boats and the latest drone and autonomous technology. 

British Army   

The British Army is increasing its lethality, including through:  

• A major investment into inexpensive expendable autonomous systems and loitering munitions to enhance the lethality of the Army, including a £50 million boost over the next 12 months for the Army’s RAPSTONE programme, funding additional first person view and interceptor drones. 
• Uncrewed Ground Vehicles: A new programme to rapidly develop and produce uncrewed vehicles and their associated mission systems for the Army through UK industry.  
• Project NYX: Up to 24 autonomous armed drones will be operational by 2030, flying alongside the Army’s recently upgraded Apache helicopters. They will carry out reconnaissance, precision strikes, and electronic warfare.  
• Project Corvus: Up to 24 surveillance drones to replace the Watchkeeper system, carrying out intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance.   

Royal Air Force   

The Royal Air Force is transforming, investing in:  

• A new, national Collaborative Combat Air programme:  The development of new autonomous fighter jets which will fly alongside crewed jets, to defend the UK’s skies with a demonstrator flying by at least 2030. 
• Storm Shroud system: Bring our new uncrewed electronic warfare drone into service this year.   

This Defence Investment Plan is delivering the vision set out in the Strategic Defence Review and placing defence on a stronger, more sustainable footing. 

The Defence Investment Plan will prioritise growing sovereign British AI and autonomous technology, drawing on the UK’s world-leading research base – collaborating with key allies and positioning Britain to export cutting-edge defence capabilities internationally.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 29 June 2026.

Expert UK scientists working on the most innovative defence technologies will be backed by £580 million of infrastructure funding over the next four years, including to build a new world-leading new laboratory and expand their research.

• £580 million funding for Dstl infrastructure, including building a new laboratory to expand work against biological warfare threats.
• New lab named after former British Foreign Secretary Ernest Bevin, one of founders of NATO.
• Organisation renowned for new technologies and chemical weapons analysis, including DragonFire laser, drone technology for Ukraine and Novichok nerve agent response.

Expert UK scientists working on the most innovative defence technologies will be backed by £580 million of infrastructure funding over the next four years, including to build a new world-leading new laboratory and expand their research.

The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) is dedicated to cutting- edge research into new science and technologies for defence, and in 2018 its site at Porton Down notably analysed samples of the military-grade Novichok nerve agent used by Russia on UK soil.

This funding, allocated as part of the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan, will help develop a new laboratory in Porton Down to enable the organisation to expand its work on biological threats. The lab will be named after former British Foreign Secretary Ernest Bevin, one of founders of NATO.  

This support will ensure the UK continues to be a global leader in innovative research.  

Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis MBE MP said:

Our scientists and experts working at Dstl do so much, often unseen, to keep our country and our allies safe at this increasingly dangerous and unpredictable time.

The £580 million investment will create the facilities needed at Porton Down to expand their vital work, delivering for our Armed Forces and our national security.

For the last 25 years Dstl has led the UK’s defence science and technology research from Artificial Intelligence to underwater systems. 

From developing smart ‘find and strike’ systems for faster battlefield decisions, providing cutting-edge technology used by the Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers and their F-35 Lightning fighter jets, to trialling the UK’s first high-energy laser weapon DragonFire, and supporting operations worldwide, Dstl plays a vital role in keeping the UK safe at home and strong abroad.  

Dstl Chief Executive, Paul Hollinshead said:  

This investment reinforces the essential work delivered daily by Dstl to protect the UK Armed Forces and defend the nation. 

As part of a broader infrastructure programme at Dstl, this new laboratory will strengthen our capacity to stay ahead of evolving biological threats and maintain the UK’s leading edge in defence and security.

To further bolster the UK’s leadership in science and technology, the UK has also ringfenced £1.6 billion investment by 2030 for the UK Defence Innovation (UKDI) fund to accelerate innovation, strengthen security, and grow UK defence technology.  

UKDI funding played a crucial role in delivering the UK’s first fully autonomous full-sized helicopter, Proteus, in a major milestone for the Armed Forces, which will support the Royal Navy’s anti-submarine warfare efforts.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 29 June 2026.

At least six new warships will be built for the Royal Navy under the Defence Investment Plan, delivering the UK’s most advanced maritime air defence capability and keeping British shipyards working for decades to come.

• The Royal Navy will procure at least six Common Combat Vessels, as part of the system that will replace the current Type 45 destroyers.
• This Common Combat Vessel will be the Royal Navy’s first ‘Hybrid’ warship, coordinating uncrewed systems in the air, on the surface and under the sea to deliver more resilient air defence.
• The programme will sustain jobs and skills across UK shipyards, with the ship’s adaptable design opening further opportunities for British industry and export partners.

At least six new warships will be built for the Royal Navy under the Defence Investment Plan, delivering the UK’s most advanced maritime air defence capability and keeping British shipyards working for decades to come. 

The Common Combat Vessel will replace the current fleet of six Type 45 destroyers, with delivery expected from the early 2030s. Unlike its predecessors, the new warship will act as a control hub for uncrewed systems – extending the Navy’s reach, resilience and firepower without a proportional increase in crew or cost. 

Due to be outlined in the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan, these new ships will replace earlier plans for a Type 83 destroyer. Rather than concentrating capability in a small number of large, expensive ships, the Royal Navy’s shift to a hybrid navy will mix crewed and uncrewed capabilities and be more suited to the pace and nature of modern warfare. The funding announced in the DIP allows the National Armaments Director Group to commence the design work that will underpin the fundamental shift in how to deliver Air Defence at and from the sea.

When in service, these CCVs will work alongside eight Type 26 and five Type 31 crewed frigates, as well as Type 91 uncrewed missile platforms, Type 92 uncrewed underwater sensing platforms, Type 93 Extra-Large Uncrewed Underwater Vehicles and Type 94 uncrewed sensor platforms, representing a once in a generation investment in new maritime capability.   

It will also sustain and grow the UK’s shipbuilding sector, providing new work for British shipyards and maintaining vital skills. It demonstrates defence as an engine for growth and programmes funded through the Defence Investment Plan are expected to back tens of thousands of new UK jobs.  

Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis MBE MP said:

Our Royal Navy is a formidable force, operating to protect our nation and our allies in the Atlantic and beyond. These Common Combat Vessels will provide our dedicated sailors with hybrid ships that are designed and built for the increasing threats we face.

Developed with exceptional British innovators, the new ships will be British-built, supporting jobs across the nation and giving the Royal Navy a capability built for modern warfare.

The programme will also anchor three new Atlantic programmes – Atlantic Bastion, Atlantic Shield and Atlantic Strike – designed to counter Russian activity in the North Atlantic and High North, protect critical underwater infrastructure, and enhance NATO deterrence. 

The CCV’s adaptable design creates opportunities across the UK defence industry and positions the platform for global export potential. The Type 26 frigate, already selected by Australia, Canada, and Norway, demonstrates strong international appetite for British-built warships.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 28 June 2026.

Defence Secretary has shifted Defence Investment Plan towards more immediate priorities, including getting the latest kit into the hands of military personnel on the frontline.

• Over £500 million will be committed to continue the transformation of the UK Commando Force, including with new high-speed Commando Insertion Craft. 
• Defence Secretary has shifted Defence Investment Plan towards more immediate priorities, including getting the latest kit into the hands of military personnel on the frontline. 
• The DIP is expected to be published ahead of the NATO Summit and set out funding to support the Armed Forces, bolster British industry and strengthen NATO’s deterrence and defence.  

The UK’s elite Commandos will be equipped with new high-speed boats and the latest drone and autonomous technology, as the new Defence Secretary shifts spending towards front-line priorities to deter emerging threats.  

Dan Jarvis has spent the last two weeks refocusing the Defence Investment Plan – expected to be published ahead of the NATO Summit – so that it prioritises getting the latest kit into the hands of military personnel, including for the UK’s elite Commandos.  

The UK Commando Force is the elite frontline, rapid-reaction force of the UK Armed Forces, capable of deploying anywhere in the world at very short notice. They form the vanguard of NATO’s rapid-reaction forces, transitioning seamlessly from year-round Arctic defence missions to immediate crisis-response operations in the Middle East. 

The refreshed DIP will see over £500 million committed to transforming the Commandos into the Future Commando Force, focused on the High North due to its growing importance to UK and NATO security.  

This lethal Force will be equipped with new high-speed Commando Insertion Craft (CIC), which could be used to seize further Russian shadow fleet tankers and other maritime security operations. This programme will see the UK collaborate with Norway, a key NATO Ally in the High North, and build on the historic Type 26 frigate deal.  

The transformation into the Future Commando Force will also include: 

• Nearly £100 million for new transformative technologies. This includes uncrewed vessels, next-generation communications, networked targeting and strike drones – presenting a significant economic opportunity for UK industry, supporting high-skilled jobs, technology and export potential. 
• Investment in new larger Amphibious Transport Ships to support UK Commando Force operations, aiming to create a new combined fleet with the Netherlands. 

Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis MBE MP said: 

Our elite Commando Force is respected around the world, conducting operations that help to keep the nation and our allies safe.  

We’re investing in new lethal strike drones, high-speed boats and amphibious transport ships to give our Commandos the equipment they need to stay ahead of adversaries and defend us.  

The Defence Investment Plan will prioritise getting the latest kit into the hands of our frontline forces, so they can continue their vital work in an increasingly dangerous world.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 27 June 2026.

Tens of thousands of people have come together in Aldershot today and across the country to mark Armed Forces Day, the annual national moment to give gratitude to the people who serve and have served in the UK’s Armed Forces.

• Tens of thousands gather across the country to honour serving personnel, veterans, reservists, cadets and their families
• Defence Secretary joins celebrations in Aldershot
• Southport announced as location for 2027 Armed Forces Day national event

Tens of thousands of people have come together in Aldershot today and across the country to mark Armed Forces Day, the annual national moment to give gratitude to the people who serve and have served in the UK’s Armed Forces.

More than 230 Armed Forces Day events took place across the country, as communities from every part of the UK marked the occasion. This included celebrations in Aldershot – the historic home of the British Army – which were attended by the Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis MBE MP.

The event saw a spectacular parade of Armed Forces personnel and military bands from the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, British Army and Royal Air Force. A Royal Air Force A400M Atlas aircraft joined a Dakota from The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight in a flypast over the celebrations.

Three military parachute display teams – the British Army Red Devils, the Royal Air Force Falcons and the Royal Navy Raiders – dropped into the main arena.

While in Aldershot, the Defence Secretary announced that the 2027 Armed Forces Day national event will take place in Southport, Merseyside. He also celebrated the Armed Forces’ powerful role in creating opportunity for young people form every background.

Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis MBE MP said:

Armed Forces Day is an extraordinary opportunity for our nation to come together to thank the people who keep this country safe, and all those who support them.

It’s an honour to join the celebrations in Aldershot alongside thousands of people to pay tribute to the exceptional courage and dedication of all our personnel.

Southport already hosts the largest Armed Forces event in their region, and as community that knows about resilience and coming together, it is fitting that they will host the 2027 national day. I congratulate all those involved in the successful bid.

Chief of the Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Rich Knighton said:

Armed Forces Day is about more than a parade or a flypast – it’s about the bond between those who serve and the society they protect. In Aldershot today that bond was on full display, and I’m proud of every service person who took part.

Maintaining that connection is essential to our strength as a force. Southport has a strong Armed Forces presence and proud tradition of support, and I look forward to seeing it host a fitting national celebration next year.

Mayor of Sefton, Cllr Jennifer Corcoran said:

Sefton has a proud and longstanding connection with our Armed Forces, and it is a tremendous honour for Southport to host the national Armed Forces Day next year.

This announcement recognises the dedication and sacrifice of our service personnel, veterans and their families and also the strong sense of community we have here in Southport. We look forward to welcoming visitors from across the country to celebrate, reflect and show our collective support for those who serve.

Councillor Marion Atkinson, Leader of Sefton Council, added:

We are incredibly proud that Southport has been chosen to host Armed Forces Day 2027. This is a fantastic opportunity to shine a national spotlight on our borough, while paying tribute to the bravery and commitment of our Armed Forces community.

Across Sefton, we recognise the invaluable contribution made by serving personnel, veterans and their families, and we are committed to ensuring they feel supported and valued. We look forward to working with partners to deliver a memorable and fitting event that brings residents and visitors together in celebration and gratitude.

The town of Southport will welcome Armed Forces families, veterans, cadets and supporters from across the northwest when it hosts the 2027 Armed Forces Day national event, supported by Sefton Council and the Southport Armed Forces Community Hub.

Their winning bid emphasised that their Armed Forces Day celebrations will be “a national statement of service, resilience, unity and renewal.”

Armed Forces Day aims to strengthen the connection between the military and the communities they serve, demonstrating how everyone has a part to play in keeping the nation safe.

Southport has considerable experience planning major events for tens of thousands of visitors thanks to the annual Southport Airshow and British Musical Fireworks Championship and already hosts the largest Armed Forces Day community event in northwest England.

The Ministry of Defence invites bids to host the national event from communities across the UK and selects a winner based on the strength of their bid and the impact the proposed event could make on the Armed Forces community.

The winning hosts receive £50,000 of event funding from the Ministry of Defence, access to military assets such as flypasts, equipment and bands, and planning and communications support.

Major Nick McEntee, Director of Southport Armed Forces Community Hub added:

We are absolutely delighted that Southport has been selected to host the National Armed Forces Day 2027 celebrations.

This is a fantastic achievement and a testament to the strength of the partnership between Southport’s Armed Forces Community Hub, the wider Armed Forces community in our town and Sefton Council. Together, we have a shared ambition to deliver an event that recognises and celebrates those who serve, those who have served, and the families and loved ones who support them.

Southport already hosts one of the most respected Armed Forces Day events in the UK, and National Armed Forces Day 2027 gives us an even greater opportunity to showcase our incredible seaside town to a national audience while saying a huge thank you to our Armed Forces community.

The hard work starts now, but our volunteers are ready to roll up their sleeves and get stuck in. We can’t wait to work together to bring this unforgettable event to Southport alongside Sefton Council.

Armed Forces Day is the culmination of Armed Forces Week, an annual opportunity for the nation to thank the Armed Forces community: serving personnel and reservists, veterans, cadets and their families and supporters.

As set out in the Strategic Defence Review, rebuilding the relationship between the Armed Forces and civilian society is central to a whole-of-society approach to defence.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 22 June 2026.

Three UK-designed long-range strike systems have been flight tested just months after competition launch, as British defence industry deliver battlefield capability at record speed.

A major UK project to develop low-cost advanced long-range strike weapons for Ukrainian has reached a significant milestone, with three British-designed systems successfully flight tested just months after the competition was launched. 

Project Brakestop, launched by the Ministry of Defence’s Taskforce Kindred in November 2024, challenged UK industry to develop a low-cost, ground-launched strike weapon capable of hitting targets more than 500km away while carrying a powerful 225kg warhead. 

The programme was designed to harness the speed, innovation and expertise of British industry to deliver a new capability at a pace rarely seen in defence. Follow on contracts worth around £15 million each have now been awarded to three companies.  

Ambitious requirements were set for competitors for the new system, including: 

• A range of at least 500km 
• Capable of carrying a warhead weighing at least 225kg 
• A speed of more than 600km/h 
• Target unit cost of around £400,000 excluding the warhead 
• Ability to produce at least 20 weapons a month within months of a production order. 

27 bids from industry were received when the competition opened, and MOD experts carried out detailed technical assessments and held competitive “Dragon’s Den” style pitches in February 2025. Six British companies were awarded contracts worth around £5 million each to design and build prototype weapons for testing in just seven months. 

Minister for the Armed Forces Louise Sandher-Jones MP said: 

The UK stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Ukraine, and we will continue to provide the support it needs to defend itself against Russian aggression. 

Project Brakestop shows what happens when we combine that commitment with the talent and ingenuity of British industry. In less than a year, UK companies have taken an ambitious concept from the drawing board to flight testing, delivering a new generation of capability at remarkable speed. 

This is a clear demonstration that Britain has the industrial strength, innovation and determination to meet the challenges of modern warfare and support our allies.  

By December 2025, only three suppliers remained, who progressed to flight testing: 

• MBDA UK, a long-standing strategic partner of the UK who produce systems including Storm Shadow. 
• MGI Engineering, a UK SME with over 25 years of success in Formula 1 – Brakestop is MGI’s first defence contract.  
• Rotron Aerospace, a UK SME with a strong history of working with the MOD including the Dismounted Soldier Close Combat and Defence (DSCDP) programme.  

Each of their systems were tested at the MOD Hebrides Range, a specialist trials site managed by QinetiQ through the Long-Term Partnering Agreement. 

The announcement comes following a week of UK commitments to Ukraine where the Prime Minister announced at G7, a further £210 million of UK Export Finance support to power Ukraine’s nuclear power plants, and 70 new sanctions targeting Russia’s decrepit shadow fleet, military procurement supply chains and illicit finance networks.

Whilst on Thursday, The Defence Secretary announced that the UK will provide 150,000 Ukrainian-produced drones and over 350 air defence missiles and radars funded from Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration (ERA) loan.

Project Brakestop demonstrates the ability of UK industry to rapidly develop and test complex long-range strike systems. 

The 225kg warhead that the systems must be capable of carrying has already been successfully developed and tested by another UK company, proving the destructive power of the system. 

The next phase of Project Brakestop is now underway, with Phase 2 contracts worth around £15 million awarded to multiple suppliers to further develop and produce 15 improved effectors each, alongside launchers and support vehicles. 

Further testing will take place in the UK in the coming months, followed by additional trials overseas, including in Ukraine. 

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 19 June 2026.

The National Armaments Director (NAD) Group has awarded a £27 million contract to Leonardo (UK) Ltd to supply critical aircraft consumable spares across the UK’s entire fixed-wing and rotary-wing fleet.

• The National Armaments Director Group has awarded an initial £27 million contract to Leonardo (UK) Ltd to supply critical consumable spares for the UK Armed Forces’ entire fixed-wing and rotary-wing fleet, including aircraft on live operations in the Middle East.
• The Aircraft Consumables Commodities contract covers approximately 11,000 NATO-approved “stock numbers” and will run for up to seven years, providing long-term resilience in the supply of essential aircraft spares.
• Leonardo will take responsibility for spares forecasting, stock procurement and obsolescence management across key platforms including Typhoon, Apache, Chinook, A400M and C-17.

The National Armaments Director (NAD) Group has awarded a £27 million contract to Leonardo (UK) Ltd to supply critical aircraft consumable spares across the UK’s entire fixed-wing and rotary-wing fleet.

The Aircraft Consumables Commodities (ACC) contract will sustain defence aviation capability for up to seven years, with a total potential investment of up to £70 million, and supports 75 jobs across the UK defence industry.

The three-year contract, with the option to extend for four additional one-year periods, covers the sourcing of approximately 11,000 NATO Stock Numbers (NSNs) – the standardised catalogue references used to identify and procure military equipment. The agreement ensures a reliable and uninterrupted supply of airworthy consumable spares essential for keeping aircraft operational, from blind rivets and washers to cable ties and face masks – all of which play an important role in mission readiness.

Aircraft covered under the contract include Typhoon fighter jets, Apache and Chinook helicopters, and A400M and C-17 transport aircraft, a number of which are currently deployed in support of live operations in the Middle East. The ACC contract therefore plays a direct role in sustaining the UK’s ability to project military force and respond to international commitments.

Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, Luke Pollard MP said:

This investment will be crucial in maintaining the military aircraft that keep the UK safe at home and secure abroad, from defending NATO’s airspace from the Russian drone threat to protecting British citizens and partners in the Middle East.

We’re making sure the UK’s historic rise in defence spending is an engine for growth, boosting opportunities across the country including supporting 75 jobs through this contract.

The contract introduces a smarter, hybrid approach to equipment management, distinguishing between “fast-moving” high-demand items, managed proactively by Leonardo directly against stores availability and “slow-moving” low demand items, handled through a more traditional “as-and-when” model. Leonardo will also take responsibility for spares modelling and forecasting, proactive maintenance, stock procurement, and obsolescence management.

Crucially, the new contract consolidates equipment management at depot level rather than supplying individual units directly – a change from its predecessor that delivers a more efficient and cost-effective model. This approach represents a significant improvement in how consumable spares are managed across Defence aviation, reducing complexity and improving responsiveness across the entire fleet.

Lisa Thorne, NAD Head of Support Capabilities and Commodities, said:

We are very proud and privileged to be working with Leonardo, one of our key suppliers. This contract provides vital services across multiple air platforms, ensuring operational readiness and enhanced capability for our forces.

David Arrowsmith, Vice President Support & Service Solutions UK, Leonardo said:

Leonardo is proud to have been awarded the ACC contract and to deepen our long-standing partnership with the MOD. This contract reflects our commitment to delivering reliable, innovative support solutions that keep the RAF’s aircraft mission ready. By taking ownership of the full supply chain, from forecasting and procurement through to obsolescence management, we are best placed to provide the MOD with the responsiveness and efficiency that modern defence operations demand.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 14 June 2026.

British forces this morning boarded a sanctioned shadow fleet oil tanker in the Channel in the latest blow to Russia’s war economy.

• British Armed Forces interdict Russian shadow fleet vessel in the early hours of this morning
• Royal Marine Commandos and National Crime Agency board the ship in the channel, which will disrupt Putin’s war chest
• Vessel will now be held and monitored off the South Coast as investigations continue

In the first UK-led operation of its kind, the vessel SMYRTOS was boarded by Royal Marine Commandos and specially trained law enforcement officers from the National Crime Agency, despite Russia’s best efforts to evade sanctions and continue fuelling its barbaric war with Ukraine.

The military operation, which lasted 6 hours, was supported with aircraft from the Maritime Air Group (Chinooks, Merlin Mk4 and Wildcat), an RAF P-8 aircraft, as well as HMS SUTHERLAND and HMS LEDBURY.

The Prime Minister agreed in March that British Armed Forces and law enforcement officers were able to board shadow fleet vessels, in accordance with international law.

The SMYRTOS will be provisionally moved to an anchorage off the South Coast of England and will be monitored for any environmental or safety concerns.

The enforcement action against this vessel in UK territorial waters was carried out in accordance with domestic and international law.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

This operation delivers yet another blow to Russia and reminds those fueling Putin’s war in Ukraine that they cannot hide.

I want to pay tribute to all those involved, including our Armed Forces and law enforcement officers who keep this country safe 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis said:

Operations like this require skill, professionalism and courage. I pay tribute to our Armed Forces personnel and all those involved.

Russia relies on its shadow fleet to fund their conflict in Ukraine and our interdiction delivers a blow to Putin’s illegal war.

The operation builds on recent support provided by the UK to its allies to interdict shadow fleet vessels, which included RAF and Royal Navy capabilities supporting US and French operations. Today’s operation was conducted in close coordination with the French.

By disrupting the shadow fleet, we and our international partners are directly bearing down on the resources sustaining Russia’s aggression in Ukraine and reducing its capacity to threaten security across Europe and beyond.

Responsible for carrying 75% of Russia’s sanctioned oil, the shadow fleet of over 700 vessels provides a critical lifeline for the Kremlin, generating a war fund that supplies missiles and drones targeting innocent Ukrainian civilians and sustaining Russia’s illegal war.

The UK is a leader in tackling the shadow fleet, having already sanctioned over 500 vessels. And these sanctions are working, Russia’s oil and gas revenues fell by 24% year-on-year in 2025.

Today’s action sends a clear message to Russia that the UK will use the full range of legal tools available to enforce those sanctions and protect our security.

Background

• The UK has sanctioned almost 600 Russian shadow fleet vessels to date.
• Russia’s oil revenues are down 27% compared to October 2024, the lowest since the start of the war.
• In the first quarter of 2025, ships sanctioned by the UK carried $1.6 billion less in Russian oil than a year ago.
• Over 72% of shadow tankers are more than 15 years old. There have been over 50 incidents involving Russia’s shadow fleet.
• UNCLOS Article 110 permits a warship to exercise a right of visit to verify the flag where there are reasonable grounds to suspect the vessel is without nationality. Where a vessel is determined stateless, the UK can exercise powers available under its domestic legislation.  Potential domestic powers include the ship-sanctions provisions in the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019, criminal and maritime enforcement powers under the Policing and Crime Act 1979

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 12 June 2026.

Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis MP opens Europe’s biggest drone testing centre in Swindon, learning lessons from the Ukraine and Iran conflicts.

• Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis MP opens Europe’s biggest drone testing centre in Swindon, learning lessons from the Ukraine and Iran conflicts.
• Uncrewed Systems Centre, based at new DroneTEX facility, will keep Armed Forces at edge of innovation, rapidly developing and fielding capabilities in weeks, not years.
• Centre will support small British businesses, unlock exports and create jobs as part of largest sustained defence spending boost since the Cold War.

Britain’s Armed Forces will be strengthened with the latest drone technology after the Defence Secretary opened Europe’s largest drone centre in Swindon today.

As the conflicts in Iran and Ukraine show, drones are rapidly reshaping warfare, with cheap systems destroying high value targets and innovation cycles measured in weeks, not years. Ukraine uses roughly 200,000 drones a month and there were 700 drones launched per day at the height of conflict in Iran.  

The new Uncrewed Systems Centre (USC), based at the DroneTEX facility in Swindon, will help the UK’s Armed Forces stay at the leading edge of innovation and take advantage of constantly evolving technologies.

It will be the UK’s focal point for the development and testing of the latest drone technology and drive collaboration with industry, allies and partners. At 545,000 sq ft, DroneTEX is the size of more than 10 football pitches and will rapidly develop and field new capabilities.  

The Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis MP met defence industry leaders, investors and military specialists as he toured the facility today.

At the opening of the USC, Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis MP said:

The character of warfare is changing, and it is changing fast. From Ukraine to the Middle East, we are seeing right now how uncrewed systems are rapidly evolving and reshaping conflicts – on land, in the air and at sea

Our new DroneTEX facility at the heart of our Uncrewed Systems Centre is Europe’s largest drone test and development facility, and will help us ensure the UK embraces technologies that are redefining warfare.

Where once new technology could take years from inception to reaching our Armed Forces, we will now be able to develop and field new tech in a matter of weeks – because in this new era, those who innovate fastest will win.

This state-of-the-art centre will work with British companies, supporting SMEs, unlocking exports and creating high-skilled jobs.

It will harness the power of data and digital integration as the UK embraces AI and autonomy, including through our new Task Force RAID (Rapid AI Delivery) which the Prime Minister and Chief of the Defence Staff announced earlier this week. 

The Strategic Defence Review announced a major increase in autonomy investment of £2 billion in this parliament, taking total defence investment in autonomous systems to £4 billion.

The MOD has spent over £450 million on uncrewed systems, including £300 million on their research and development since July 2024. In the last year, UK Defence Innovation has injected over £142 million in rapid investment to scale up production of drones and anti-drone weapons.

UKDI is the focal point for innovation within the Ministry of Defence, backed by a ringfenced annual budget of at least £400 million, enabling UK companies to scale up innovative prototypes rapidly.