13 May 25. Today in Saudi Arabia, President Donald J. Trump announced Saudi Arabia’s $600bn commitment to invest in the United States, building economic ties that will endure for generations to come. The first deals under the announcement strengthen our energy security, defense industry, technology leadership, and access to global infrastructure and critical minerals.

• The deals celebrated today are historic and transformative for both countries and represent a new golden era of partnership between the United States and Saudi Arabia.
• From day one, President Trump’s America First Trade and Investment Policy has put the American economy, the American worker, and our national security first.
• The following represent just a few of the many transformative deals secured in Saudi Arabia:
  • Saudi Arabian DataVolt is moving forward with plans to invest $20bn in AI data centers and energy infrastructure in the United States.
  • Google, DataVolt, Oracle, Salesforce, AMD, and Uber are committing to invest $80bn in cutting-edge transformative technologies in both countries.
  • Iconic American companies including Hill International, Jacobs, Parsons, and AECOM are building key infrastructure projects like King Salman International Airport, King Salman Park, The Vault, Qiddiya City, and much more totaling $2bn in U.S. services exports.
  • Additional major exports include GE Vernova’s gas turbines and energy solutions totaling $14.2bn and Boeing 737-8 passenger aircraft for AviLease totaling $4.8bn.
  • In the healthcare sector, Shamekh IV Solutions, LLC will be investing $5.8bn, including a plant in Michigan to launch a high-capacity IV fluid facility.
  • Investment partnerships include several sector-specific funds with a strong emphasis on U.S. deployment—such as the $5bn Energy Investment Fund, the $5bn New Era Aerospace and Defense Technology Fund, and the $4bn Enfield Sports Global Sports Fund—each channeling substantial capital into American industries, driving innovation, and creating high-quality jobs across the United States.
• Underscoring our commitment to strengthening our defense and security partnership, the United States and Saudi Arabia signed the largest defense sales agreement in history—nearly $142bn, providing Saudi Arabia with state-of-the-art warfighting equipment and services from over a dozen U.S. defense firms.
  • The sales that we intend to complete fall into five broad categories: (1) air force advancement and space capabilities, (2) air and missile defense, (3) maritime and coastal security, (4) border security and land forces modernization, and (5) information and communication systems upgrades.
  • The package also includes extensive training and support to build the capacity of the Saudi armed forces, including enhancement of Saudi service academies and military medical services.
  • This deal represents a significant investment in Saudi Arabia’s defense and regional security, built on American systems and training.
• The United States and Saudi Arabia celebrate these and many other deals today as a result of the growing momentum of the last four months. The total package has quickly built to more than $600 bn–the largest set of commercial agreements on record between the two countries.

UNLOCKING NEW OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH DEEPER ALLIANCES: The strategic partnership between the United States and Saudi Arabia has grown increasingly robust over the past eight decades since the meeting between King Abdulaziz Al Saud and President Franklin D. Roosevelt on board the USS Quincy, the 80th anniversary of which was celebrated earlier this year.

• Saudi Arabia is one of the United States’ largest trading partners in the Middle East.
  • Saudi direct investment in the United States totaled $9.5bn in 2023, focused on the transportation, real estate, and automotive sectors.
  • In 2024, U.S.-Saudi Arabia goods trade totaled $25.9bn, with U.S. exports at $13.2bn, imports at $12.7bn, and a trade surplus in goods of $443m.
• The United States and Saudi Arabia share a commitment to deeper economic integration, underscoring the Kingdom’s pledge of expanding cooperation in critical sectors such as health, energy, and science.
  • The U.S. Department of Energy and the Ministry of Energy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have concluded an agreement for cooperation in the field of energy.  This agreement builds upon their strong existing relationship; it will focus collaboration on examining the potential for innovation, development, financing, and deployment of energy infrastructure.
  • The Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Department of Energy of the United States of America have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation to collaborate on mining and mineral resources.  The agreement contributes to economic development and the diversification and resilience of critical mineral supply chains.
  • NASA and the Saudi Space Agency have signed an agreement for a CubeSat to fly on NASA’s Artemis II test flight. Saudi Arabia’s CubeSat will measure aspects of space weather at a range of distances from Earth and deploy in high Earth orbit from a spacecraft adapter on the Space Launch System rocket after the Orion spacecraft is safely flying on its own with its crew of four astronauts.
  • The United States and Saudi Arabia recently agreed to modernize the Air Transport Agreement to allow U.S. airlines to carry cargo between Saudi Arabia and third countries without needing to stop in the United States, an important right for cargo hub operations. Saudi carriers will have the same rights to serve the United States.
• The United States and Saudi Arabia further underscored their commitment to deeper cultural, educational, and scientific partnerships through the signing of agreements between the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Asian Art and the Royal Commission for AlUla on collaborative research and an exhibition focused on artifacts from ancient Dadan in AlUla, and between the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and the Royal Commission for AlUla to support the conservation of the endangered Arabian leopard through creation of a dedicated exhibit in Washington, D.C.
• Saudi Arabia remains our largest Foreign Military Sales partner with active cases valued at more than $12bn.
  • Our defense relationship with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is stronger than ever under President Trump’s leadership, and the package signed today, the largest defense cooperation deal in U.S. history, is a clear demonstration of our commitment to strengthening our partnership.
  • The agreement opens the door for expanded U.S. defense industry participation and long-term sustainment partnerships with Saudi entities.
• The deepening United States-Saudi Arabia partnership reflects a joint vision for long-term prosperity and employment opportunities in both nations.

BUILDING ON A RECORD OF WINNING AT HOME AND ABROAD: President Trump is delivering on his promise to Make America Great Again by catalyzing investment and negotiating fair trade deals to accelerate American employment and prosperity.

• President Trump is the dealmaker in chief, and he has once again secured a historic deal that strengthens America’s economic dominance and global influence.
• This comes just one week after President Trump announced a U.S.-UK trade agreement that levels the playing field, creates jobs, and opens market access with the United Kingdom.
• Leading up to this historic deal, President Trump had already secured trillions in U.S.-based investments, setting the stage for a new era of American prosperity.
• The $600bn in Saudi investment in the United States builds on President Trump’s record in 2017 of securing bns in commercial deals and agreements with Saudi Arabia for the defense, energy, technology, and infrastructure sectors.

(Source: https://www.whitehouse.gov/)

CALL FOR PAPERS

 

Protecting Critical Sporting Infrastructure and Events

 

Platinum Sponsorship Available

Chepstow Racecourse 4-5 November 2025

Please submit Papers for Protecting Critical Sporting Infrastructure and Events

 

Agenda

Day One – 4 November 2025

Exploring Regulatory, Technological, and Insurance Challenges

 

10:00 – Registration and Breakfast

10:30 – Chairman’s Welcome and Introduction

10:50 – Applying Martyn’s Law Regulations – Arena Leisure – TBC

11:10 – UAV Challenges Facing Sporting Venues – Millennium Stadium – TBC

 

11:30 – Coffee Break and Product Demonstrations

 

12:10 – Police Compliance required to Comply with Martyn’s Law – Gwent Police – TBC

12:30 – Protecting Important Visitors from Drone Incursions

 

12:50 – Lunch Break – Sponsorship Available – £500/US670 lunch and tea

 

13.50 – The Challenges of Illegal Streaming of live Horse racing

 

14:10 – Crowd Protection at Sporting Venues

 

14:20 – Animal and Team Protection at Sporting Venues

 

14:40 – The Requirement for Portable C-UAS Systems

 

15:00 – Tea Break – Sponsorship Available

 

16:00 – Dual use Technology For Critical Infrastructure Protection

 

16:20 – Identifying the Drone Threat by Advanced databases

 

16:40 – Q&A Panel Discussion

 

Delta Hotels by Marriott St Pierre Country Club

 

https://deltahotelsbymarriott.reservationscenter.com/hotel/

 

18:30 – Drinks Reception – Sponsorship Available – £500

 

20:00 – Royal Hospital Chelsea Outreach Gala Dinner – Sponsorship Available – £1100/US$1474 including 2 places on top table with General Sir Adrian Bradshaw, KCB, OBE and Lady Bradshaw

 

21:30 – BBOY Award Presentation

 

22:00 – Charity Auction by Steve O’Leary

 

Day Two – 05 November 2025

 

Live Demonstrations and Racing

 

The Morning prior to racing will allow companies to demonstrate their C-UAS technologies live to prospective sporing venue customers.

 

There will be live C-UAS Technologies during racing to prevent any drone incursions to protect the horses and the crowd

 

Prices

 

Conference Event Platinum Sponsor Ticket including Race Sponsorship, Shell Scheme, Conference Paper and Attendance for 10*

 

Table of 10 £4,500.00/US$6030 + VAT

 

Conference and Racing Event Gold Sponsor Ticket including Race Sponsorship, Shell Scheme, Conference Paper and Attendance for 10**

 

Table of 10 £3,500.00/US$4690 + VAT

 

Racing Event Gold Sponsor Ticket including Race Sponsorship

 

Table of 10 £2,500.00/US$3350 + VAT *

 

Conference and Racing Event Silver Ticket including Conference Paper and Shell Scheme:

 

£150/US$201+VAT single ticket

 

£2200/US$3146 + VAT per table of 10 **

 

Racing Event Silver Ticket:

 

£120/US$160 +VAT single ticket

 

£1200/US$1608 + VAT per table of 10**

 

Demonstration Morning only: £50/US$67 + VAT

 

Conference Paper plus Shell Scheme Stand and Day 2 demo and Racing: £1500/US$2010 + VAT including three delegate/Raceday tickets**

 

Conference Paper only and Day 2 demo: £1000/US$1340 + VAT including two delegate/Raceday tickets**

 

Shell Scheme and Day 2 demo: £900/US$1206 + VAT including one delegate/Raceday ticket***

 

Shell Scheme only: £500/US$670 + VAT including one delegate/Raceday ticket***

 

Conference Day 1 only £300/US$402pp+ VAT

 

Streaming link Day 1 only £70/US$94+ VAT

 

Gala Dinner including drink on arrival:  £75.00pp+VAT

 

* Includes Headline Banner and Hyperlink on Web Site and Show Daily x2, Full Page Advertisement and Feature in BATTLESPACE Conference Issue

**Includes Hyperlink on Web Site, Full Page Advertisement and Feature in BATTLESPACE Conference Issue

*** Includes Hyperlink on Web Site, Half Page Advertisement in BATTLESPACE Conference Issue

 

The Growing Threat of Drone Incursions

 

Drone incursions pose a rapidly escalating risk to the safety and security of critical sporting events. In the horse racing sector, unauthorised drones are increasingly being used for illegal streaming, providing real-time footage to gambling syndicates and bypassing official broadcast rights. Beyond financial losses, these activities compromise venue security, distract participants, and jeopardise the welfare of animals and attendees. Recent advancements in drone technology, including increased flight range, payload capacity, and autonomous navigation, have made detection and mitigation more challenging. Furthermore, with drones capable of carrying dangerous payloads, the potential for malicious attacks looms large. This highlights the urgent need for sporting venues to adopt robust counter-drone systems and ensure compliance with Martyn’s Law to protect visitors, participants, and infrastructure.

 

Join Us in Protecting the Future of UK Sports

 

Don’t miss this vital opportunity to engage with the experts driving innovation and security in the face of increasing drone threats. Whether you’re a policymaker, event organiser, or technology developer, this event is your chance to stay ahead of the curve. Secure your place now and be part of the conversation shaping the future of sporting event safety.

 

The dinner rate includes a donation to our Charities of £5 per ticket

 

A donation for all three Charities will be made from the Conference income

 

Charities: Royal Hospital Chelsea Outreach, SSAFA, Combat Stress

 

Stand, Conference and Magazine Bookings:

 

Julian Nettlefold –

 

Stand and Conference Bookings:

 

Vanessa Hathaway –

 

Craig Taylor –

 

Sponsorship

 

Julian Nettlefold –

 

Vanessa Hathaway –

 

Craig Taylor –

 

 

 

 

01 May 25. Spectra Group, a specialist provider of secure voice, data and satellite communications systems, has developed in partnership with BATS Wireless antennas a new capability enhancement for Comtech Telecommunications Corp. (Comtech) Troposcatter 10-Watt Compact Over-the-Horizon Mobile Expeditionary Terminals (COMET) called Troposcatter on the Move (TOTM).  Since 2024, Spectra Group has global distribution rights for Comtech’s Troposcatter Family of Systems (less the USA, Canada and Mexico which Comtech retains).  They have been working in partnership with Comtech and BATS Wireless antennas throughout 2024 to develop the TOTM concept, for which, as the systems integrator Spectra Group has full distribution rights.  Spectra Group are launching this new TOTM capability at SOF Week and will be showcasing this and their other strategic communication capabilities in Booth #1805.

The use of the troposphere for communications is not new, but in the past, it was constrained by large dishes and significant power that was not suitable for modern manoeuvre warfare.  Comtech’s COMET system revolutionised this capability making it small, lightweight and portable.  The COMET system is ideal for providing a secure big data network for deployed headquarters from divisional down to company level or below because it is small, lightweight and due to its low power and directional nature it is also extremely difficult to detect and deny.  Critically, it is also satellite independent, can work in a GPS/GNSS denied environment and is proven in the polar regions making it ideal for use during global peer-on-peer conflict and when multi-domain integration is required.  However, in the past it did need to be static.

Comtech and Spectra Group recognised the need for increased manoeuvre and large network data on the move, and so, working together with BATS wireless proved the concept of TOTM.  Subsequently, Spectra Group working in partnership with BATS Wireless has produced a fully integrated TOTM solution that combines Comtech’s COMET troposcatter with BATS Electronically Steered Antennas (ESAs) into a single fully integrated terminal to deliver an industry first capability.  Extensive sea trials successfully tested and validated TOTM scenarios by simulating island hopping in the Florida Keys, Florida Panhandle and off the coast of California.  The tests involved ship to shore and ship to ship scenarios proving the concept of TOTM by demonstrating systems tracking and communicating with other nodes while on the move using GPS, but also showcasing the potential for advanced mobile connectivity in challenging environments without reliance on GPS.

TOTM enhances the utility and operational effectiveness of COMET in a littoral manoeuvre context, especially in contested, GPS or satellite denied environments.  Its mobility and capacity delivers band-widths of up to 210 Mbps and ranges in excess of 100 Km to support a wide range of mobile applications such as Ship to Ship or Ship to Shore communications, Beyond Line of Sight strategic communications or Wide Area Networks, secure data links for autonomous sensors, control of remote vessels, Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) and any other application that requires big data delivered to the front line.  The TOTM solution can also be utilized with land vehicles for efficient “at the pause” applications, enabling users to quickly establish Troposcatter communications without having to set up and align antennas, allowing rapid data transmission from positions of opportunity.

Simon Davies, CEO of Spectra Group said: “We pride ourselves at Spectra Group on being able to work in partnership with industry leaders to push the boundaries of what can be achieved using the latest technology to meet the demands of regular and specialist forces in the ever-evolving battlespace.   Our trials have successfully proved the Troposcatter on the Move capability which is a significant enhancement to the existing Troposcatter COMETs utility, especially in the littoral manoeuvre space, and superbly complements the Troposcatter Family of Systems and our award-winning SlingShot^TM radio and new GENSS platform which also enables BLOS and COTM for troops deployed in austere locations globally.”

The organisers of the Chepstow Military Raceday are delighted to announce the inaugural Royal Hospital Chelsea Outreach Gala Dinner, hosted by General Sir Adrian and Lady Bradshaw, the Governor of the Royal Hospital Chelsea and his wife Sally.  The dinner is to be held on November 4th at the Marriott Hotel Delta Hotels St. Pierre Country Club St Pierre Park, Chepstow NP16 6YA. 

General Sir Adrian Bradshaw said, “The Royal Hospital is delighted to continue our support for the Chepstow Military Raceday and to launch our Gala Raceday Dinner this year. We are indebted to the Reuben Foundation for the wonderful donation of £10,000 this year, which will support our Veterans’ Outreach activities.  We look forward to involving the Reuben Foundation and Arena Leisure in our UK-wide Veterans’ Outreach programme.

“The Chelsea Pensioners’ Veterans’ Outreach program is designed to extend to Veterans from all three of our Armed Services, some of the comradeship and social life enjoyed by our In-Pensioners, resident here in Chelsea.  Spending time together socially is so important for Veterans and contributes significantly not only to their well-being and mental health, but also through the activities and the benefits of the Royal Hospital Active Agung program, their physical health.  Furthermore, whilst spending time with us we may become aware of problems and frustrations with their daily lives with which we can help through connecting them face-to-face with representatives of a variety of government, charitable and other organisations who can provide professional assistance.”

Julian Nettlefold of BATTLESPACE Publications says, “My original intention in launching our event at Chepstow in 2013 was to draw attention to not only the Veterans but their carers as due to limited facilities, families are split apart when specialist long-term care is required. The very generous donation of £10,000 by the Reuben Foundation this year, takes the total amount raised by the Chepstow Raceday’s to over £340,000 for The Royal Hospital, SSAFA and Combat Stress since 2013.”

“The inclusion of this Gala Dinner will give our guests more networking opportunities, and the chance to relax in the excellent surrounding of the Marriott after a hard day at the Conference. The auction, managed by Steve O’Leary, now retired, will be held during the dinner, together with whisky tasting and other activities. A portion of the ticket revenues will be donated to the charities.”

Jilly Carrell of the Royal Hospital said, “The issues my family were faced with by the sudden and tragic onset of my late husband’s brain tumour required constant contact with him and my girls, at a hospital which was near home so we could carry on life as near as normal, particularly as both my girls were at school.”

Luke Admans, General Manager – Chepstow Racecourse “ We’re delighted to be yet again partnering with Battlespace to host another raceday raising funds and awareness for veterans of the military services. We’re thrilled to be working with Julian and the wider team to help launch this inaugural Gala Dinner. Chepstow Racecourse are proud to be associated with a great cause and are pleased to be renewing that support for this event in an even bigger way this year. We’re looking forward to November, and the involvement we have with the conference, gala dinner and hosting the raceday event.”

The cost of a dinner ticket including a donation to charity is £75.00 + VAT including drink on arrival.  Please contact: Vanessa Hathaway: ;

Hotel Reservation: ttps://deltahotelsbymarriott.reservationscenter.com

 

16 Apr 25. British soldiers take down drone swarm in groundbreaking use of radio wave weapon.

British soldiers have successfully tracked, targeted and defeated swarms of drones in the latest trial of a new directed energy weapon developed in the UK.

Radiofrequency Directed Energy Weapon demonstrator

• UK-made, invisible radio wave weapon knocks out drone swarms for the first time.
• Weapon has potential to help protect against drone threats as nature of warfare changes.
• The project supports more than 135 highly skilled jobs across the UK.

The trial was completed at a weapons range in West Wales and was the largest counter-drone swarm exercise the British Army have conducted to date.

The weapon system demonstrator is a type of Radiofrequency Directed Energy Weapon (RF DEW) and has proven capable of neutralising multiple targets simultaneously with near-instant effect.

The UK Government has invested more than £40 million in RF DEW research and development to date, supporting 135 highly skilled jobs in Northern Ireland and the South-East of England.

It uses high frequency radio waves to disrupt or damage critical electronic components inside drones, causing them to crash or malfunction.

At an estimated cost of 10p per shot fired, if developed into operational service it could provide a cost-effective complement to traditional missile-based air defence systems.

RF DEW systems can defeat airborne targets at ranges of up to 1km and are effective against threats which cannot be jammed using electronic warfare.

The successful trial comes as drone swarms are increasingly seen in use in frontline combat in Ukraine. UK Defence Intelligence estimates that last year Ukraine had to defend against attacks from more than 18,000 drones.

With national security a foundation for the Plan for Change, the government is significantly increasing the proportion of MOD’s equipment procurement spend on novel technologies, spending at least 10% from 2025-26. It follows the announcement of the biggest sustained increase in defence spending since the end of the Cold War, as the UK will spend 2.5% of GDP on defence by April 2027.

Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry, Rt Hon Maria Eagle MP, said: “This significant experiment exemplifies the strength of British innovation – driven by our home-grown industry, technology firms and scientific talent.  We continue to strengthen our defence sector, adding more cutting-edge capabilities to keep the UK secure at home and strong abroad, while making defence an engine for growth across our towns and cities.”

The project has been delivered by Team Hersa – a collaboration between Defence Equipment & Support and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory. The RF DEW demonstrator has been developed by an industry consortium led by Thales UK.

Successful experiments included the Army taking down two swarms of drones in a single engagement, and the project saw more than 100 drones being tracked, engaged and defeated using the weapon across all trials.

Sgt Mayers, a Senior Remotely-Piloted Air Systems Operator from 106 Regiment Royal Artillery, had the honour of being the first British soldier to bring down drones using a radiofrequency weapon.

Sgt Mayers said: “RF DEW is an exciting concept. We found the demonstrator quick to learn and easy to use. With improvements on range and power, which could come with further development, this would be a great asset to Layered Air Defence.”

Protecting national security is the foundation of the Government’s Plan for Change and the development of RF DEW systems could help to protect the UK from unidentified drones at security sensitive areas such as defence bases, and could play a role in preventing disruption at airports.

The RF DEW development supports the Defence Industrial Strategy – to support the UK defence industry in mobilising to help face down global threats and ensuring the sector is an engine for growth in every region and nation of the UK. The MOD is working with a range of industry partners to deliver powerful future RF DEW capabilities for UK forces.

Thales, which led the development of the RF DEW demonstrator, employ around 100 highly skilled engineering and manufacturing staff in Northern Ireland on the project, and there are a further 30-35 highly skilled supply chain jobs in Chelmsford, Essex, that directly contribute to the development of the weapon demonstrator.

Nigel MacVean, MD of Thales Integrated Airspace-protection Systems, said: “Thales continues to be at the forefront of this pioneering technology, and we are proud to continue the research and development in this sector alongside our partners in Government.” (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)

BATTLESPACE Comment: BATTLESPACE is runing three C-UAS issues this year, July (CCS and C-UAS Thorney Isalnd), September (DSEI) and November Chapstow C-UAS Protecting Crtical Infrastrucure Conference, November 4-5 Chepstow Racecourse.

26 Mar 25.  Chancellor vows to bring about “new era of security and national renewal” as she delivered a Spring Statement to kickstart economic growth, protect working people and keep Britain safe.

• People to be on average £500 a year better off by the end of this parliament compared to under the previous government, putting more money in people’s pockets.
• OBR forecast concludes government’s landmark planning reforms will result in a £6.8bn boost to the economy and housebuilding at its highest level in over 40 years by 2029-30.
• Growth at the heart of Plan for Change as £13bn of additional capital spend allocated alongside £2.2bn defence funding boost next year.

People will be on average £500 a year better off from 2029, relative to OBR’s autumn forecast, helping to deliver the Plan for Change as the Chancellor today (Wednesday 26 March) announced a Spring Statement to grasp the opportunities in a changing world.

The OBR has also today concluded that the government’s landmark planning reforms will result in UK housebuilding reaching its highest level in over 40 years, bringing the UK one step closer to its Plan for Change mission to build 1.5 m homes.

The economy will be 0.2% larger in 2029-30 because of the reforms – worth around £6.8bn in today’s money – growing to 0.4% over the next ten years. This represents the biggest positive growth effect it has ever forecasted for a policy that comes at zero-cost to taxpayers. The reforms will secure over 170,000 new homes for hard working families and leave borrowing £3.4bn lower in 2029-30.

The Chancellor also set out how the government is protecting national security and maximising the growth potential of the UK defence sector by confirming a £2.2 bn increase in the defence budget in 2025-26 while ensuring UK defence is on the cutting-edge of technology and innovation.

But growth is still not where it should be, so at this Spring Statement, this government has gone further and faster to kickstart growth by training up to 60,000 young people to get Britain building again; increasing capital investment by £13bn over this parliament; and fixing public services by tearing out waste from its roots.

Growth

Kickstarting economic growth is the number one mission of this government, putting more money in people’s pockets. The government has already made considerable progress; supporting a third runway at Heathrow; revitalising the Oxford Cambridge Growth Corridor, launching the National Wealth Fund and making the right choices on public investment to drive growth across the UK.

The actions of this government across the Autumn Budget and Spring Statement, if sustained, lead to a 0.6% rise in the level of real GDP by 2034-35, signalling the government’s growth plan is working.

The OBR concluded that the stability rule is met by £9.9bn and the investment rule is met by £15.1bn. Both rules are met two years early, meaning from 2027-28 the government is only borrowing for investment and net financial debt is falling.

The government is not satisfied with short-term growth figures, and is going further and fast today to improve this.

• To go further and faster to get Britain building, the Chancellor has today announced a further £13bn of capital investment over the Parliament to go further on growth, on top of the £100bn uplift announced at Autumn Budget. This will deliver the projects needed to catalyse private investment, boost growth and drive forward the UK’s modern industrial strategy – unlocking the potential of the Oxford Cambridge Growth Corridor which could add up to £78bn to the UK economy by 2035.
• Taken together, this greater capital investment more than offsets the modest savings on day to day spending and means the total departmental spending will increase over the next five years, when compared with plans in the Autumn.
• Over this Parliament, the government is funding a £625m package to boost skills in the construction sector, which is expected to provide up to 60,000 more skilled construction workers to support the government’s plans to deliver 1.5m homes in England over the parliament and progress vital infrastructure projects,
• As part of this, the government is providing further support to scale up existing construction skills pathway over this Parliament through £100m for 35,000 additional training places in construction-focused Skills Bootcamps, supporting trainees, ‘returners’, and existing employees to succeed in the sector. Building on the £40m investment in the new Growth and Skills Levy at Autumn Budget 2024, the government is also providing a further £40m to support up to 10,000 more young people to access new construction Foundation Apprenticeships, which will provide a key entry route into a thriving industry.
• The government is ensuring there are enough skilled construction workers in the system, with £100m to deliver 10 Technical Excellence Colleges specialised in construction across every region in England, and £165m to increase funding for training providers delivering construction courses for 16-19-year-olds and adults.
• The government is committed to supporting employers to unlock further investment in training to deliver more skilled construction workers, and is providing £100 m, alongside a £32m contribution from the Construction Industry Training Board to deliver up to 40,000 industry placements in construction each year.
• Supported by the construction skills package, the government confirmed this week that there will be a £2bn injection of new grant funding to deliver up to 18,000 new social and affordable homes. The new funding will only support developments on sites that will deliver in this Parliament, getting spades in the ground quickly to build homes in places such as Manchester and Liverpool.

Defence

The world is changing before our eyes, reshaped by global instability, including Russian aggression in Ukraine. Europe is facing a once-in-a-generation moment for its collective security, with conflicts overseas undermining security and prosperity at home.

A month ago, the PM announced the biggest sustained increase in defence spending since the Cold War as a result of the changing global picture, now reaching 2.5% of GDP by April 2027, and with an ambition to reach 3% in the next Parliament subject to economic and fiscal conditions.

We are going further and faster to protect our national security and maximise the economic growth potential of the UK defence sector.

• Increasing the defence budget by £2.2bn in 2025-26, taking additional spending on defence to over £5bn since the Autumn Budget.
• This raises spending on defence to 2.36% next year and will be invested in fitting Royal Navy ships with Directed Energy Weapons five years earlier than planned, providing better homes for military families and modernising His Majesty’s Naval Base Portsmouth.
• Setting a minimum 10 percent ringfence for equipment spending on emerging technologies like drones and autonomous systems, dual-use technology, and AI-powered capabilities, so that British troops have the tools they need to fight and win in modern warfare.
• Getting this new tech into the hands of our armed forces quicker by cutting away bureaucracy, with a new UK Defence Innovation unit within the Ministry of Defence spearheading efforts to identify promising technology and ensure these get to the frontline at speed, while also bolstering the UK tech sector and crowding in private investment.
• Creating bespoke procurement processes for different types of military equipment, learning lessons from our rapid support for Ukraine to drive faster timescale targets for operationalising new tanks, aircraft and other essential tools for modern warfare.
• This government is determined to transform the defence sector into an engine for growth by focusing this investment on where it boosts the productive capacity of the economy such as investment in innovation and novel technologies. As a result of the increase in defence spending to 2.5%, the government estimates this could lead to around 0.3% higher GDP in the long run, equivalent to around £11bn of GDP in today’s money.
• The government’s investment in defence will also support its number one mission to deliver economic growth. UK citizens will be protected from threats at home whilst creating a stable environment in which businesses can thrive, and supporting highly skilled jobs and apprenticeships across the whole of the UK.

Reform

The government is determined to make the public sector more productive and to improve services for working people. But the changing world means we need to go further and faster to ensure we can deliver the public services that working people care most about.

The government has shown its commitment to taking the difficult decisions required to drive efficiencies and reform the state – including announcing that the world’s largest quango, NHS England, will be brought back into the Department for Health and Social Care, reducing bureaucratic inefficiencies and duplication; and driving out wasteful government spend through cancelling thousands of government credit cards.

Getting more people into jobs is also central to the government’s growth mission. This broken welfare system that is letting people down by asking them to prove what they can’t do, rather than focusing on what they could do with the right support – trapping people due to fear of trying work, lack of support and poor financial incentives.

The social security system will always protect those who can never work, that is why this government is proposing an additional premium that will safeguard their incomes. And will end reassessments for people with the most severe, life-long conditions to give them dignity and security.

Helping more people into work is a central aim of these reforms and which is why the government is tackling incentives to be inactive by abolishing the WCA, rebalancing Universal Credit, and investing more into employment support.

We will always support those with long term health conditions through the Personal Independence Payment, which will remain an important non-means tested benefit for disabled people and people with long term health conditions.  But these reforms will make the system more targeted and sustainable to ensure the safety net is there for those who need it most.

The OBR have now set out their final assessment of costings and confirmed this welfare package will reduce welfare spending by £4.8bn in 2029-30.

The government will modernise the Civil Service into a more productive and agile organisation that can effectively deliver the Plan for Change, underpinned by a digital revolution, while cancelling thousands of government procurement cards. Today, the Chancellor has gone further.

• The Chancellor has confirmed the creation of a £3.25bn Transformation Fund to support the fundamental reform of public services, seize the opportunities of digital technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI), and transform frontline delivery to release savings for taxpayers over the long-term.
• The Fund will invest in vital public services and accelerate the modernisation of the state by taking the next step to reform the children’s social care system through an additional £25m for the fostering system. This will include funding the recruitment of a further 400 new fostering households, providing children with stability and addressing cost pressures on local government.
• The fund will also support the managing offenders in the community, by providing £8 m for new technology so probation officers can focus on reducing reoffending, rather than filling out forms.
• In addition, it will provide £42m for three pioneering DSIT-led Frontier AI Exemplars. These Exemplars will test and deploy AI applications to make government operations more efficient and effective and improve outcomes for citizens by reducing unnecessary bureaucracy.
• To create an agile and productive state we are also providing £150m for government employee exit schemes. This will support a leaner and more efficient Civil Service, helping to reduce administration costs by 15% by the end of the decade.
• The Chancellor also announced a package of measures to close the tax gap, raising £1bn per year by 2029-30. The UK tax gap was estimated to be around £40 bn in 2022-23.
• The Spring Statement earmarks around £80m in new money for third party debt collectors to bring in £1.3bn over the next five years – a return of around £16 for every pound spent for UK public services and investment projects. HMRC will also receive £4m in new funding to pilot a new test and learn programme with the private sector to improve the tax collection agency’s approach to recouping older unpaid tax debt. Ministers will decide whether to proceed with a larger exercise later this year based on the results of this test.
• An additional 600 staff will also be recruited into HMRC’s debt management teams. This means that for every £1 spent on these staff, over £13 of debt is expected to be recovered. The staff will work with the private sector to make collecting tax debt more efficient including through automating admin processes.
• The Spring Statement also announces £100m in new funding for HMRC to recruit a further 500 compliance officers from April 2025. This will raise £241 m in unpaid tax over the next five years.
• Late payment penalties for VAT and Making Tax Digital for income tax Self Assessment will increase to incentivise taxpayers to pay on time. This will be from 2% to 3% at 15 days, 2% to 3% at 30 days, and 4% to 10% from day 31. This will take effect from April 2025.
• As announced in the autumn, Making Tax Digital for income tax Self Assessment will be extended to sole traders and landlords with income over £20,000. The Spring Statement confirms that this additional group will join Making Tax Digital from April 2028. This will build on the existing plan which will see sole traders and landlords with income above £50,000 joining from April 2026, and those with income above £30,000 joining from April 2027.  Around 4 m businesses have an income below the £20,000 threshold.

Looking Forward

This Spring Statement builds on the Autumn Budget and the decisions taken since required to deliver stability to the British economy and kickstart economic growth.

The government will set out its plans for spending and key public sector reforms at the Spending Review which will conclude on 11 June 2025.

This will not be a business-as-usual Spending Review. The government has fundamentally reformed the process to make it zero-based, collaborative, and data-led, in order to ensure a laser-like focus on the biggest opportunities to rewire the state and deliver the Plan for Change.

At the Spending Review, the Budget in the autumn and across the Parliament, the government will continue to prioritise growing the economy to deliver change.

(Source: https://www.gov.uk/)

Tanya Suarez, Lead of Janus accelerator in partnership with DASA and CEO of IoT Tribe: “With current levels of geopolitical instability, it is imperative that we bolster the UK’s defence capabilities to safeguard national and economic security. The Chancellor’s announcement today of a £400m commitment to the defence technology ecosystem, and 10% of the MoD’s budget which will be allocated to novel technologies like drones and AI, will be a catalyst for faster innovation. Collaboration between government and private sector stakeholders, including category-leading start-ups, will accelerate the go-to-market of cutting-edge defence technologies. It will help reindustrialise our economy, establish robust sovereign capabilities and drive productivity in non-defence sectors. Government support and investment through organisations like DASA will go a long way to ensuring that the most promising technologies rapidly transition from lab to front line, reaching the hands of those that need them.”

 

Andriy Dovbenko, Founder and Principal, UK-Ukraine TechExchange: “What Britain needed from the Spring Statement were concrete steps towards boosting its defence capabilities. Therefore, the confirmation that defence spending will rise to 2.5% by 2027, plus the dedication of £400m in funding for DefenceTech initiatives, is extremely encouraging to see. It’s true that more needs to be done – the figure is still inadequate compared with the resources of other global powers like russia – but the focus must now be on achieving more with less in the immediate future. The effective allocation of our limited defence resources will be crucial, ensuring that this additional funding does not disappear into our primes but fulfils its intended purpose. 

The focus on nurturing homegrown tech talent to enhance military tactics is hugely positive, with technologies such as cybersecurity, AI capabilities and electronic warfare key to our future national resilience. However, we should not underestimate the power of leveraging battlefield-proven defence technologies from Ukraine to ensure our defence strategies reflect the realities of modern-day warfare. We should also seek new ways to incentivise private investment that ensures public funding goes further in supporting the growth of promising DefenceTech companies. We could, for example, mirror Denmark’s new €130 million government programme that guarantees to compensate Danish companies willing to invest in Ukraine’s defence industry. A combination of public and private funding could help to close the gap between the UK and other global powers in defence.”

 

Volodymyr Levykin, CEO and Founder, Skyrora: “The Government’s newly announced defence innovation fund and commitment to the biggest defence spending increase since the end of the Cold War demonstrate where defence sits on the political agenda. However, now is the time for the UK to tap into the strength of its space sector to develop sovereign defence capabilities, if it is to truly become a defence industrial superpower. Any investment into space catalyses tech development, so investing more in defence (read space) speeds up innovation and the production process.

Space is the great enabler between industries and the first battlefield for effective defence strategies. If the UK invests more in sovereign launch capabilities, we would not depend on third parties for satellite-based activities such as intelligence, reconnaissance and communications. Ultimately, more investment in defence should automatically mean more investment in space. In turn, we will foster greater innovation, boost the economy, and keep the nation safe.”

 

26 March 2025 Major £1.6bn equipment contract to support British Defence jobs and boost Army readiness..

British Army equipment, including tanks and armoured vehicles, will receive world-class maintenance and spare parts under a contract which supports 1,600 UK jobs.

• Significant contract update to provide kit maintenance and increased vehicle availability.
• Directly supports 1,600 defence jobs across the country, supporting a 6,000-strong business supply chain.
• Investment in British firm Babcock boosts defence as an engine for UK economic growth.

British Army equipment, including tanks and armoured vehicles, will receive world-class maintenance and spare parts under a contract which supports 1,600 UK jobs.

The five-year £1.6bn contract extension with British defence firm Babcock will cover vital military assets including Challenger 2 tanks, 105mm artillery guns and Trojan armoured vehicles, ensuring they remain combat-ready to meet emerging threats.

As a strategic partner to the UK MOD, this contract award further underpins Babcock’s commitment and long-term relationship with the British Army. Specialising in building new vehicles, supporting its fleet, and training its soldiers, Babcock plays a crucial role in ensuring operational readiness for the British Army. The transformation of the original contract (DSG) over the first 10 years will be further accelerated over the extension period directly supporting the delivery of the Defence Industrial Strategy, delivering significant value to the MOD and growth to the UK economy.

The extension to the existing DSG Service Provision and Transformation Contract (SPTC) will deliver a comprehensive range of support capabilities for the Army in the UK with global reach. Through the course of the extension Babcock will deliver improved readiness, regeneration and asset management services underpinned by extensive engineering and supply chain expertise. This will maximise the availability of critical army equipment whilst delivering increased value for money and better outcomes for both partners.

A comprehensive transformation programme will deliver a step change in support outputs, thereby setting the foundation for the army modernisation programme in the coming decades. In collaboration with the MOD, who have committed to investment in facilities and equipment, Babcock will continue to invest in its workforce of 1,600 highly skilled people across more than 20 sites throughout the UK, including skills development and a robust apprentice scheme dedicated to nurturing talent and building expertise.

The Service Provision and Transformation Contract will sustain 1,600 highly skilled jobs in locations across the UK, including over 400 in Telford and over 250 in Dorset. The investment follows the Prime Minister’s historic commitment to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP, recognising the critical importance of military readiness in an era of heightened global uncertainty.

Maintenance services will cover preventative maintenance, emergency repairs and spare parts management. It will also include digital transformation to improve fleet management efficiency, keeping more vehicles and equipment primed for soldiers to use – boosting national security and renewing Britain’s economy as we deliver on our Plan for Change.

The move to boost the readiness of British Army combat vehicles comes as the UK continues to lead planning efforts for a Coalition of Willing nations to help secure a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. Following the planning meeting attended by approximately 30 nations last week, further operational planning meetings will be led by UK Commander Joint Operations, General Nick Perry.

Defence Secretary John Healey MP said: “Tanks, armoured vehicles and kit are the backbone of the British Army. We are taking action to ensure the outstanding service men and women of our Armed Forces are properly equipped and ready to respond to ever-changing global threats.    Supported by largest sustained increase in defence spending since the Cold War, this substantial investment with Babcock demonstrates how defence is an engine for growth: supporting businesses of all sizes and sustaining more than 1,600 good, well-paid jobs across Britain.National security is the bedrock of a successful economy and our Government’s Plan for Change.”

Babcock’s Chief Executive Officer, David Lockwood said: “In a period of increased global instability, more is being expected of our armed forces. This contract extension ensures that Babcock continues to provide the British Army with the tools to do its job, when and wherever they are needed. Our know-how, application of technology and extensive experience in the land domain help ensure that the British Army is ready to fight and win wars. While the Land Integrated Operating Services programme places future contracts, this deal will also support approximately 6,000 UK businesses throughout the wider supply chain, as well as 200 apprentices. These apprenticeships will offer valuable training and development opportunities in fields such as HGV maintenance and automotive refinishing, providing career paths in the defence sector for the next generation of skilled workers.”

MOD Director Land Environment, Major General Lizzie Faithfull-Davies CBE said:  “It has taken a lot of hard work to collaboratively deliver this SPTC Reframe contract amendment. I am delighted to renew our relationship with Babcock. With this amended contract, DE&S, the Army, and Babcock will now provide even better support to the in-Service platforms of our Armed forces; ensuring that the vehicles the Army will fight from are repaired, maintained, and ready whenever the Army need them.

The work comes ahead of the Defence Industrial Strategy, which will bolster UK industry and provide more opportunities for defence to be an engine for economic growth. It follows a recent commitment to launch a new hub to provide small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with better access to the defence supply chain, and a commitment to set direct SME spending targets for the Ministry of Defence by June this year.”

 

21 Mar 14. Trump, Hegseth Announce Air Force’s Next Generation Fighter Platform. During a press conference at the White House today, President Donald J. Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that the Air Force would proceed with the production of the Next Generation Air Dominance fighter jet platform.

Intended to eventually replace the Air Force’s fleet of F-22 Raptors, the NGAD platform is a network-connected family of systems — including a stealth fighter jet component, drone technology and others — that simultaneously interact to ensure air superiority.

“I’m thrilled to announce that, at my direction, the United States Air Force is moving forward with the world’s first sixth-generation fighter jet … Nothing in the world comes even close to it,” Trump said, adding that the aircraft portion of the platform will be designated the F-47.

The president added that the F-47 will be the most advanced, capable and lethal combat aircraft platform ever built and that the NGAD contract represents a historic investment in the country’s defense industrial base, keeping the U.S. on the cutting edge of aerospace technology.

Hegseth said this was a big day for the warfighters. Because of this sixth-generation fighter, America will have generations of air dominance.

” sends a very direct, clear message to our allies that we’re not going anywhere and to our enemies that we can, and we will, be able to project power around the globe, unimpeded, for generations to come,” he added.

Hegseth also said he sees the NGAD program as a historic investment in both the U.S. military and the U.S. defense industrial base, which will help to revive the warrior ethos in the armed services.

The ability of NGAD’s fighter jet component to interact with drone technology will allow more lethality and modernized capability than in previous weapons systems, Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. David W. Allvin said at the press conference.

” is allowing us to look into the future and unlock the magic that is human-machine teaming,” Allvin said. “We’re going to write the next generation of modern aerial warfare with this.”

He added that the way the Air Force has assembled the NGAD program will give the government more control, allowing the platform to be updated and adapted “at the speed of relevance at the speed of technology.”

Additionally, the F-47 will cost less than the F-22, be more adaptable to future threats and “have significantly longer range, more advanced stealth, be more sustainable, supportable, and have higher availability than our fifth-generation fighters,” Allvin said via a press release following the announcement at the White House.

Though no costs or timelines for NGAD production were released during the press conference, the president said a fleet of F-47s would be “built and in the air” during his current administration. (Source: U.S. DoD)

 

21 Mar 25.  The Department of the Air Force announced today the contract award for the Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) of the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) Platform, marking a major milestone in the advancement of air superiority. The contract, awarded to Boeing, will lead to the development of the F-47, the world’s first sixth-generation fighter aircraft.

“I’m thrilled to announce that, at my direction, the United States Air Force is moving forward with the world’s first sixth-generation fighter jet,” said President Donald J. Trump during a press briefing at the White House. “Nothing in the world comes even close to it, and it’ll be known as the F-47.”

This decision follows a fair and thorough source selection process conducted by the Air Force, reaffirming the NGAD Platform as the most capable and cost-effective solution to maintain air superiority in an increasingly complex and contested global threat environment. The decision reflects the Air Force’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge technology to the warfighter while optimizing taxpayer investment.

“In terms of all of the attributes of a fighter jet, there’s never been anything even close to it, from speed to maneuverability, to what it can have, to payload. And this has been in the works for a long period of time,” Trump added. “America’s enemies will never see it coming.”

In May 2024, the Air Force conducted a strategic pause in the program to ensure it was making the right decision for its warfighters and for the security of the nation. During this time, the Air Force continued collaborating with industry to aggressively mature critical technologies and accelerate innovation.

“Now we have the F-47, which sends a very direct, clear message to our allies that we’re not going anywhere… and to our enemies that we can, and we will be able to project power around the globe, unimpeded, for generations to come,” said Secretary of Defense, the Honorable Pete Hegseth.

Hegseth stated the F-47 represents a significant advancement over the F-22, which is currently the U.S. Air Force’s primary air superiority fighter.

“This is a historic investment in the American military, in the American Industrial Base, that will help revive the warrior ethos inside our military, which we’re doing–rebuilding our military,” Hegseth added. “We know this is cheaper, longer range and more stealthy.”

As the cornerstone of the NGAD Family of Systems, the F-47 is designed to integrate next-generation stealth, sensor fusion, and long-range strike capabilities to counter the most sophisticated adversaries in contested environments. Its adaptability and modular design ensure seamless integration with emerging technologies, positioning it as a dominant platform for decades to come.

“With this F-47 as the crown jewel in the Next Generation Air Dominance Family of Systems, we believe that this provides more lethality,” said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin. “It provides more capability, more modernized capability, in a way that is built to adapt, along with our Collaborative Combat Aircraft.”

Over the past five years, in strong partnership between the Air Force and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, X-planes have been laying the foundation for the F-47. These experimental aircraft have flown hundreds of hours, advancing stealth, range, and autonomous systems while refining operational concepts.

“Hopefully, these magnificent planes will be built and in the air during my administration. It’s ready to go. They’ve already built much of what has to be built in terms of production, including the sheds.” Trump added. “We will ensure that the USA continues to dominate the skies.”

By leveraging cutting-edge digital engineering techniques and government-owned architecture, the F-47 benefits from a streamlined and accelerated development timeline compared to previous fighter programs. These advancements enable rapid technology integration, ensuring the F-47 remains adaptable and upgradable to meet future mission requirements and counter emerging threats.

“Air dominance is not a birthright, but it’s become synonymous with American airpower, but our dominance needs to be earned every single day,” said Allvin. “Since the earliest days of aerial warfare, brave American Airmen have jumped into their machines, taken to the air, and they’ve cleared the skies. That’s been our commitment to the fight, and that’s really been our promise to America, and with this F-47 we’re going to be able to keep that promise well into the future.”

The contract award funds the engineering and manufacturing development phase, which includes maturing, integrating, and testing all aspects of the F-47. This phase will produce a small number of test aircraft for evaluation. The contract also includes competitively priced options for low-rate initial production.

Future basing decisions and additional program elements will be determined in the coming years as the Air Force advances the F-47 toward operational deployment. (Source: https://www.af.mil/)

“We recognize the importance of designing, building and delivering a 6th-generation fighter capability for the United States Air Force. In preparation for this mission, we made the most significant investment in the history of our defense business, and we are ready to provide the most advanced and innovative NGAD aircraft needed to support the mission,” said Steve Parker, interim president and chief executive officer, Boeing Defense, Space & Security.

For nearly a century, Boeing has produced many of the most advanced combat aircraft for military customers around the globe including the P-51 Mustang, F-4 Phantom, F-15 Eagle, F/A-18 Hornet and EA-18G Growler, among others. The NGAD selection builds on Boeing’s fighter legacy and establishes a new global standard for 6th generation capability.

25 Feb 25. Mr. Speaker, three years since Russia launched its vile assault on Ukraine, I would like to address the international situation and the implications for Britain’s national security. 

Mr. Speaker, in my first week as Prime Minister, I travelled to the NATO summit in Washington with a simple message.

That NATO and our allies could trust this Government would fulfil Britain and indeed the Labour Party’s historic role to put our collective security first.

I spoke of my great pride, Mr Speaker, to lead the party that was a founding member of NATO, the inheritor of the legacy of Clement Attlee and Ernest Bevin – who not only stood behind Winston Churchill in wartime but ‘won the peace’ by establishing the great post-war order here and abroad.

Mr. Speaker, it is a proud legacy but in a world like ours it is also a heavy one. Because the historical load we must carry to fulfil our duty is not as light as it once was.

We must bend our backs across this House because these times demand a united Britain, and we must deploy all of our resources to achieve security.

Mr. Speaker, as a young man, I vividly remember the Berlin Wall coming down. It felt as if we were casting off the shackles of history, continent united by freedom and democracy. If you had told me then, that in my lifetime we would see Russian tanks rolling into European cities again I would not have believed you.

Yet here we are, in a world where everything has changed. Because three years ago that is exactly what happened.

Britain can be proud of our response. British families opened their doors to fleeing Ukrainian citizens, the ‘yellow and light blue’ fluttering on town halls and churches, the length and breadth of this country.

And the party opposite, in Government was robust in our response. I supported that in opposition; I applaud them for it now.

And we have built on that, bringing our support for Ukraine to a record level this year.

Mr. Speaker, we should not pretend that any of this has been easy.

Working people have already felt the cost of Russian actions through rising prices and bills.

Nonetheless, one of the great lessons of our history is that instability in Europe will always wash up on our shores, and that tyrants like Putin only respond to strength.

Russia is a menace in our waters, in our airspace and on our streets. They have launched cyber-attacks on our NHS – only seven years ago, a chemical weapons attack on the streets of Salisbury.

We must stand by Ukraine – because if we do not achieve a lasting peace, then the economic instability, the threats to our security, they will only grow.

And so, as the nature of that conflict changes, as it has in recent weeks, it brings our response into sharper focus.

A new era that we must meet, as we have so often in the past, together – and with strength.

Mr. Speaker, the fundamentals of British strategy are unchanged.

I know that the current moment is volatile, but there is still no good reason why they cannot endure.

So let me spell out to the House exactly how we will renew them for these times.

First, NATO is the bedrock of our security – and will remain so.

It has brought peace for 75 years. It is as important today as the day on which it was founded.

Putin thought he would weaken NATO; he has achieved the exact opposite.

And it remains the organisation which receives the vast bulk of our defence effort, in every domain, and that must continue.

Second, we must reject any false choice between our allies, between one side of the Atlantic or the other. That is against our history – country and party – because it is against our fundamental national interest.

The US is our most important bilateral alliance. It straddles everything from nuclear technology, to NATO, to Five Eyes, AUKUS and beyond.

It has survived countless external challenges in the past. We’ve fought wars together; we’re the closest partners in trade, growth and security.

So this week when I meet President Trump I will be clear. I want this relationship to go from strength to strength.

But Mr. Speaker, strength in this world also depends on a new alliance with Europe.

As I said in Paris last week, our commitment to European defence and security is unwavering. But now is the time to deepen it.

So we will find new ways to work together on our collective interests and threats, protecting our borders, bringing our companies together, seeking out new opportunities for growth.

Third, Mr Speaker, we seek peace not conflict, and we believe in the power of diplomacy to deliver that end.

That, of course, is most pressing in Ukraine. Nobody in this House or this country wants the bloodshed to continue – nobody.

And Mr. Speaker, I have seen the devastation in Ukraine first-hand.

What you see in places like Bucha – that never leaves you.

But for peace to endure in Ukraine and beyond, we need deterrence.

I know that this House will endorse the principle of winning peace through strength.

So we will continue to stand behind the people of Ukraine. We must ensure they negotiate their future and we will continue to put them in the strongest position for a lasting peace.

Fourth, Mr. Speaker, we must change our national security posture.

Because a generational challenge requires a generational response.

That will demand some extremely difficult and painful choices.

And through those choices, as hard as they are, we must also seek unity.

A whole society effort that will reach into the lives, the industries and the homes of the British people.

I started this statement by recalling the era of Attlee and Bevin, and, of course, this year we will mark many anniversaries of that greatest generation.

We must find courage in our history. Courage in who we are as a nation because courage is what our own era now demands of us.

So, starting today, I can announce this Government will begin the biggest sustained increase in defence spending since the end of the Cold War.

We will deliver our commitment to spend 2.5% of GDP on defence but we will bring it forward so that we reach that level in 2027.

And we will maintain that for the rest of this Parliament.

Let me spell that out, Mr Speaker. That means spending £13.4bn more on defence every year from 2027.

But Mr. Speaker, we also face enemies that are sophisticated in cyber-attacks, sabotage, even assassination.

And so our intelligence and security services are an increasingly vital part of protecting both us and our allies.

So on top of the funding of 2.5% that I have just announced, going forward, we will recognise the incredible contribution of our intelligence and security services to the defence of the nation, which means, taken together, we will be spending 2.6% on defence by 2027.

But Mr. Speaker, we must go further still.

I have long argued that in the face of ongoing, generational challenges, all European allies must step up and do more for our own defence.

So, subject to economic and fiscal conditions, and aligned with our strategic and operational needs, we will also set a clear ambition for Defence spending to rise to 3% of GDP in the next Parliament.

Mr Speaker, I want to be very clear, the nature of warfare has changed – significantly. That is clear from the battlefield in Ukraine, and so we must modernise and reform our capabilities as we invest.

I equally want to be very clear that like any other investment we make we must seek value for money.

And that’s why we’re putting in place a new Defence Reform and Efficiency Plan, jointly led by my Right Honourable Friends the Chancellor and the Defence Secretary.

This investment means that the UK will strengthen its position, as a leader in NATO and in the collective defence of our continent, and we should welcome that role.

It is good for our national security. It is also good for the defining mission of this government to restore growth to our economy.  And we should be optimistic of what it can deliver in those terms.

But Mr. Speaker, in the short-term, it can only be funded through hard choices.

And in this case, that means we will cut our spending on development assistance, moving from 0.5% of GNI today to 0.3% in 2027 fully funding our increased investment in Defence.

I want to be clear to the House, that is not an announcement I am happy to make.

I am proud of our pioneering record on overseas development, and we will continue to play a key humanitarian role in Sudan, in Ukraine and in Gaza, tackling climate change, supporting multinational efforts on global health and challenges like vaccination.

In recent years the development budget was redirected towards asylum backlogs, paying for hotels. So, as we are clearing that backlog at a record pace there are efficiencies that will reduce the need to cut spending on our overseas programmes.

But nonetheless, it remains a cut – and I will not pretend otherwise.

We will do everything we can to return to a world where that is not the case and rebuild our capacity on development.

But at times like this, the defence and security of the British people must always come first. That is the number one priority of this Government.

But Mr. Speaker, it is not just about spending. Our whole approach to national security must now change.

We will have to ask British industry, British universities, British businesses, and the British people to play a bigger part; use this to renew the social contract of our nation, the rights and responsibilities that we owe one another.

The first test of our defence policy is, of course, whether it keeps our country safe. But the second should be whether it improves the conditions of the British people, does it help provide the economic security that working people need.

Because ultimately, as Attlee and Bevin knew, that is fundamental to national security as well.

We will use this investment as an opportunity.

We will translate defence spending into British growth, British jobs, British skills, British innovation; we will use the full powers of the Procurement Act to rebuild our industrial base.

And, Mr. Speaker, as the Strategic Defence Review is well underway and across Government we are conducting a number of other reviews relevant to national security, it is obvious that these reviews must pull together.

So before the NATO summit in June, we will publish a single National Security Strategy and we will bring it to this House.

Because Mr. Speaker, as I said earlier, that is how we must meet the threats of our age – together and with strength.

A new approach to defence. A revival of our industrial base. A deepening of our alliances.

The instruments of our national power brought together, creating opportunity, assuring our allies, delivering security for our country.

Mr. Speaker, at moments like these in our past, Britain has stood up to be counted. It has come together, and it has demonstrated strength.

That is what the security of our country needs now, and it is what this Government will deliver.

And I commend this statement to the House. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)

The Defence Committee has reacted to the Prime Minister’s statement on defence.

Chair of the Defence Committee, Tan Dhesi MP, said: “This is a dangerous moment for the UK’s defence and security – a moment where we must come together as a nation. I welcome the Prime Minister’s statement today committing to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence by 2027, with the ambition that it will rise to 3%. We must be clear-eyed about the threats we face. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is an attack on peace, prosperity and the democratic principles that underpin our way of life. We must also consider the wider challenges to our security which will require both policy and action. It is now evident that Europe must play a greater role in the defence of Ukraine and in guaranteeing the future security of our continent, and the UK Government must demonstrate leadership. Today’s commitment to increasing spending is an important, and very welcome, first step. But this isn’t just a matter of how much we spend, but how well we spend it. Over the coming months and years, the Defence Committee will scrutinise this commitment, and continue to ask difficult questions of this Government.”

GMB Union has welcomed the announcement today [Tuesday] that defence spending will increase.

Matt Roberts, GMB National Officer, said: “Defence spending can be a powerful force domestically for growth and levelling-up in our regions and nations –  but only when we make good choices to buy British and invest in growing UK industry, skills and apprenticeships.  Labour must make the right decisions for working-class communities that rely on our defence industry. Every pound of this budget increase should go into actual defence spending and not the HR costs that were included under the Conservatives.”

 

 

Spectra Group (UK) Ltd, the specialist provider of secure voice, data and satellite communications systems, has announced a contract award to supply the Irish Defence Force with Comtech’s Troposcatter Compact Over-the Horizon Mobile Expeditionary Terminals (COMET).  Spectra Group acquired the global distribution rights to supply Comtech’s Troposcatter Family of Systems (FoS) in February 2024 (less USA, Canada and Mexico which Comtech retains).  This procurement is the next in a series of overseas sales under this agreement.   The Irish Defence Force has procured a number of COMET systems, with more systems and the associated training and support package in the pipeline, including aspirations to deploy the new Troposcatter on the Move (TOTM) enhancement; more news on this exciting new capability coming soon.   Spectra Group is attending EnForce Tac in Booth 7-360 showcasing their specific communication capabilities, including GENSS.  Troposcatter COMET will also be on display at the JK Defence booth (10-521).

Tropospheric scatter is a communications capability that uses the Troposphere (up to about 13km altitude) to provide high bandwidth communications.  It is satellite independent and works in a GPS/GNSS denied environment, so is suitable for use in a Peer-on-Peer conflict/Multi Domain Integration.  Troposcatter inherently has very low latency and can provide huge bandwidth, enabling analysis and manipulation of large data, which combined with its low operating cost makes it suitable for strategic and tactical headquarters.   In the past, Troposcatter technology required large power-hungry equipment unsuitable for expeditionary or manoeuvre warfare.  However, modern technology and significant development by Comtech has revolutionised the size, weight and power of the Troposcatter Family of Systems, of which, COMET is the smallest and most lightweight.

COMET is specifically designed for rapid deployments and mobile operations, delivering high bandwidth (5-60Mbps) and long-range connectivity (70km+) while operating efficiently with just 10 Watts of power—currently the only low-power Troposcatter system available.  The COMET system uses a single 1-metre dish and the COMTECH CS67Plus Modem capable of up to 210Mbps, which takes the IP stream and directly converts to two RF outputs in the range 4.4-5Ghz to provide two frequencies, amplified by Dual 10W GaN amps (Dual LNA on the receive path).  This allows for dual frequency/polarisation diversity that compensates for any fading/multi-path effects and ensures low latency (typically 9-20mS). In suitable conditions, the bandwidth, range and data transfer speeds can be much greater than specified.  The COMET system is simple, intuitive, and easy to set up and does not require the use of vulnerable and expensive satellites. It has been developed to be man-portable and the whole system can be established and operational within 15 minutes. The COMET system comes packed in two small cases (25kg each) that can be transported on civilian aircraft if required.

Michael Davies, Business Development Manager at Spectra Group said: “This is a continuation of what we hope to be many procurements under our Troposcatter global distribution agreement with Comtech.  We have been working closely with the Irish Defence Force for some time to find suitable solutions to their strategic communications challenges and help meet their national defence commitments.  With many NATO countries already operating Troposcatter systems, COMET is the perfect solution for its reliability, capacity, deployability and interoperability both on the land and for maritime vessels.”

 

18 Feb 25. EDGE, one of the world’s leading advanced technology and defense groups, and GM Defense announced an agreement to assess projects focusing on light tactical vehicles for customers in the Middle East, Africa, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Under terms of the Memorandum of Understanding, GM Defense, a General Motors subsidiary, would work with NIMR Automotive, an arm of EDGE, on potential opportunities. The agreement was announced at the International Defense Exhibition & Conference 2025, taking place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.

Khaled Al Zaabi, President – Platforms & Systems, EDGE Group said: “This collaboration reflects a shared vision to unlock new possibilities in defense solutions. By uniting EDGE’s regional insight, operational excellence, and established infrastructure with GM Defense’s technical expertise and industry leadership, we aim to create a powerful synergy that will drive innovative projects and elevate operational capabilities across key markets. This strategic agreement marks a significant step towards localising GM Defense’s advanced capabilities and expanding GM’s transformational technologies and investments into new global defense markets,” said GM Defense President Steve duMont. “Together, we are poised to deliver advanced mobility solutions that offer exceptional performance, reliability and quality; enabling our customers to safely accomplish their mission.”

IDEX Attendees can see GM Defense’s Infantry Utility Vehicle in EDGE’s outdoor stand CP-270. Additional technologies from EDGE and its portfolio of companies are located at EDGE stand C20 in Hall 5, while additional GM Defense technologies can be seen in booth 03-AO9, Hall 3.

 

11 Feb 25. Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, the largest edition in the history of the International Defence Exhibition (IDEX 2025) and the Naval Defence and Maritime Security Exhibition (NAVDEX 2025) is set to take place from 17 to 21 February 2025 at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi. The 17th edition of IDEX, the 8th edition of NAVDEX, and the accompanying International Defence Conference, organised by ADNEC Group in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence and the Tawazun Council, will bring together leading global companies, decision-makers, and experts in the defence industry to showcase the latest technologies and solutions in the sector, aimed at enhancing international peace and security.

His Excellency Major General Staff Pilot Faris Khalaf Al Mazrouei, Chairman of the Higher Organising Committee of IDEX and NAVDEX, stated: “This edition of IDEX and NAVDEX marks a milestone in the 32-year journey of success, garnering unprecedented global attention, which underscores its growing influence in the defence and security sector. This success would not have been possible without the visionary leadership and unwavering support of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE. His guidance has firmly established the UAE as a leading regional and international hub in the defence and security fields.”

He added: “IDEX and NAVDEX provide a global platform that brings together decision-makers and experts to explore the latest advancements in defence technology and innovation. These exhibitions play a pivotal role in strengthening international security and fostering global peace. This edition has attracted the participation of major global defence companies, high-level delegations, and industry specialists, further underscoring the strategic significance of these exhibitions and their role in shaping the future of the global defence industry.”

Al Mazrouei emphasised that the Higher Organising Committee remains committed to working closely with all partners to deliver an exceptional edition that reflects the UAE’s leadership in hosting world-class events. He expressed gratitude to ADNEC Group, the organising committees, and national institutions for their relentless efforts, which will play a crucial role in the success of this edition and its accompanying events. He also looked forward to welcoming participants and visitors from around the world.

For his part, His Excellency Major General Staff Mubarak Saeed bin Gafan Al Jabri, Deputy Chairman of the Higher Organising Committee for IDEX and NAVDEX 2025, stated: “Since its inception in 1993, IDEX has become a landmark event in the global defence sector, directly contributing to enhancing the UAE’s position as a key player in this field. NAVDEX stands as a testament to our commitment to innovation and sustainable security, showcasing the rapid advancements in maritime technologies and serving as a leading platform for presenting the latest defence solutions in the naval sector.”

He added: “Over the years, both exhibitions have witnessed significant expansion in the number of local and international participants, alongside an increase in announced deals and the number of official delegations. Additionally, the International Defence Conference 2025 will set a new record by hosting more than 1,800 participants, marking a 414% increase since its launch in 2015. This growth reflects the rising importance of strategic dialogue in shaping the future of defence.”

Al Jabri revealed that the organising committee, in collaboration with ADNEC Group, the Tawazun Council, and relevant entities, has developed a comprehensive plan to ensure the fulfilment of the expectations of guests and official delegations while providing a seamless and integrated experience for participants and visitors.

He noted that critical topics such as cybersecurity, space security, and defence readiness will be addressed, with experts presenting practical solutions to enhance resilience and effective responses to global challenges. Discussions will also focus on how advanced technology and international collaboration are reshaping modern defence systems, with the UAE playing a leading role in driving this transformation on a global scale.

The Deputy Chairman further highlighted that the event is not only about technical showcases and commercial deals but also aims to build sustainable strategic partnerships, foster trust, and enhance international cooperation in defence and security. This commitment aligns with the UAE’s vision to support innovation, economic diversification, and cement its position as a global leader in the defence industry. Through IDEX and NAVDEX 2025, the UAE seeks to strengthen its national defence industries, expand its global network, and position itself as a key partner in developing future defence solutions.

Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, Managing Director and Group CEO of ADNEC Group, stated: “Since its inception in 1993, IDEX has witnessed significant growth in terms of exhibition space, participating companies, and countries. The 2025 edition will be exceptional in every aspect.”

Al Dhaheri revealed that the 2025 edition of IDEX and NAVDEX has seen an increase in participating companies, reaching 1,565 from 65 countries, reflecting a 16% growth compared to the previous edition. The total exhibition space has expanded by 10% to 181,501 square metres, while 731 new companies are participating, marking an 82% increase.

“This edition will feature 41 national pavilions, with the UAE pavilion being the largest at 25,000 square metres, a 4% increase from the previous edition. The number of national companies has reached 213, making up 16% of exhibitors, while international companies constitute 84%.”

Al Dhaheri highlighted that seven new countries—Qatar, Ethiopia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, and Cyprus—are participating. A new exhibition hall, Hall 14, opposite the grandstand, has been added, featuring 341 exhibiting companies. Additionally, a dedicated CBRNE platform, with participation from 38 companies across 13 countries, has been introduced to raise awareness of chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive threats.

Furthermore, more than 3,300 products and technologies will be displayed, demonstrating the significant role IDEX and NAVDEX play in supporting the defence industry and enhancing the competitiveness of UAE-based companies on regional and international levels. The exhibitions will also host over 156 start-ups, accounting for 10% of total exhibitors.

Mona Ahmed Al Jaber, the Official Spokesperson for Tawazun Council at IDEX & NAVDEX 2025, stated that the Council’s participation as the “Principal Partner” of the exhibitions, in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence, reflects its firm commitment to advancing the defence ecosystem and enabling the UAE’s defence and security industries. The participation, she continued, is also an opportunity to showcase the Council’s achievements in supporting national industries and enhancing their global standing.

She indicated that Tawazun Council’s presence at IDEX will span a 2,040-square-meter pavilion, where it will highlight its key initiatives and strategic objectives in supporting the defence sector and pointed out that the exhibition represents an international platform for exploring the latest technological and defence advancements, underscoring the distinction and professionalism in organising this world-class event.

Al Jaber further noted that this year’s edition of IDEX continues to cement its prominent position established during previous editions by bringing together global leaders in the defence and security industries to showcase the latest innovations and advanced technological solutions. The exhibition also serves as a hub for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and fostering integration with strategic partners across various sectors.

She added that the Tawazun Council, as the government entity responsible for the acquisition and procurement budget system for defence purchases in the country, works closely with the Ministry of Defence and security agencies. The Council plays a pivotal role in developing an innovative and competitive defence industry base, in addition to its role in setting regulatory frameworks and quality standards, as well as issuing the necessary licenses for defence and security products, in line with the UAE’s vision to develop a world-class industrial sector.

She noted that this year’s edition of the exhibition continues to reinforce its prominent position achieved in previous editions by bringing together leading defence and security industry players from around the world to showcase the latest innovations and advanced technological solutions.

The current edition of the exhibition is set to witness the announcement of numerous deals and the signing of strategic partnership agreements, further enhancing its competitiveness and solidifying its position as one of the most prominent international platforms. The event continues to bring together defence industry leaders from across all six continents, underscoring its global significance and role in shaping the future of the defence sector.

* The number of exhibiting companies has risen to 1,565 from 65 countries, reflecting a 16% increase compared to the previous edition.

* The total exhibition space has expanded by 10% to reach 181,501 square metres.

* 731 new companies are participating, marking an 82% increase from the last edition.

* 41 national pavilions are present, with the UAE pavilion being the largest, growing by 4% in size compared to the previous edition.

* 213 national companies are exhibiting, accounting for 16% of total exhibitors, while international companies make up 84%.

* Seven new countries are participating: Qatar, Ethiopia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, and Cyprus.

* A new exhibition hall has been added, featuring 341 exhibiting companies.

* A dedicated platform for CBRNE (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives) awareness has been launched, with participation from 38 companies across 13 countries.

* Over 3,300 products and technologies will be showcased at the 2025 editions of IDEX and NAVDEX.

* More than 156 start-ups, both local and international, will be participating, making up 10% of total exhibitors. (Source: joint-forces.com)

 

17 Feb 25. Otokar is Mission Ready for New Cooperation Opportunities. Otokar, the largest land systems exporter of Türkiye, participates in the IDEX International Defence Exhibition to be held between February 17-21, in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates (UAE). During the five-day exhibition, Otokar will showcase five vehicles from its world-renowned armored vehicles range.

Otokar continues to showcase its globally recognized land systems in the world’s leading events.  Having over 33 thousand military vehicles in the inventories of over 70 end users, Otokar is set to display its supreme land systems solutions at IDEX 2025. During the exhibition, which will take place between February 17-21, in Abu Dhabi, UAE, Otokar will showcase five vehicles from its wide armored vehicles range.

At IDEX 2025, visitors of Otokar’s stand will have chance to see COBRA II 4×4 Tactical Armored Vehicle with 12.7 mm RCWS,  ARMA 6×6 Wheeled Armored Vehicle with 25 mm MIZRAK Turret, ARMA 8×8 and ARMA II 8×8 Wheeled Armored Vehicles with 30 mm MIZRAK Turret, and TULPAR Modular Armored Tracked Vehicle with 120 mm HITFACT MkII Leonardo Turret.

Additionally, Otokar’s joint venture company with EDGE Group of Abu Dhabi Government,  Al Jasoor, will also display Otokar and Al Jasoor’s shared expertise in the form of  RABDAN 8×8 Recovery Vehicle in IDEX International Defence Exhibition.

QUARTER CENTURY OF EXPERIENCE IN THE GULF REGION

Reminding Otokar’s long-standing presence in the region, Otokar General Manager Aykut Özüner said, “Since 2000, various types of Otokar armored vehicles are being successfully operated by the military and security forces of the Gulf Countries. To be physically closer to our users in the region and provide immediate support, we established our subsidiary “Otokar Land Systems” in 2016. This strategic move has further reinforced our commitment and presence in the Gulf region.”

“OPEN TO NEW COOPERATIONS”

Highlighting Otokar Land Systems has conducted important projects with successful results over the past years, Sedef Vehbi, Otokar Military Cluster Head said, “In 2017, our joint venture company Al Jasoor signed the largest and most significant 8×8 tactical wheeled armored vehicle contract with the UAE, and we successfully completed all deliveries. Otokar stands out not only for our technological advancements but also for our expertise in technology transfer and local production. We remain open to further collaborations with new countries, particularly in the areas of technology transfer, local production, and the development of joint projects tailored to their specific needs. IDEX has always been a platform of strategic importance to Otokar. In this manner, during the event, we aim to strengthen our existing relations while exploring new opportunities.”

THE LARGEST LAND SYSTEMS EXPORTER OF TURKIYE

Otokar was deemed worthy by SSI (The Defence and Aerospace Industry Exporters’ Association of Türkiye) of the award for being the company with the highest exports among Türkiye’s land systems manufacturers with its 2024 financial results. Today, more than 33,000 Otokar military vehicles are actively in service in 40 plus countries, over 70 end-users. These vehicles deliver high performance and security in the most critical missions, ranging from combat situations to peacekeeping operations. Thanks to its superior R&D, engineering and testing capabilities, Otokar analyzes different needs and expectations of its users, and develop solutions to meet their requirements with effective land systems solutions against present and future threats. Otokar’s success in global defense industry ensures new users from various parts of the world.

At IDEX 2025, the following vehicles are on display at the Otokar stand:

MODULAR POWER FOR EVERY MISION: COBRA II

COBRA II is actively used in more than 20 end-users in the world. It offers high level of protection, payload capacity, and large internal volume. In addition to its superior mobility, COBRA II provides high protection against ballistic, mine, and IED threats. With high power to weight ratio COBRA II delivers high performance. The combat proven vehicle is operated by many armies in different parts of the world on toughest terrain and climate conditions.

Being suitable for the integration of wide range of weapon and mission equipment options, COBRA II is successfully in service for border protection as well as internal security and peacekeeping missions in different users. The modular structure of COBRA II also makes the vehicle a flexible platform to be used as a personnel carrier, anti-tank weapons platform, Reconnaissance & Surveillance, CBRN reconnaissance vehicle, command control vehicle, recovery and medical evacuation. At IDEX 2025, Otokar exhibits COBRA II with Keskin 12.7 mm RCWS.

MULTI-WHEELED MODULAR ARMORED VEHICLE: ARMA

ARMA, Otokar’s multi-wheeled modular armored vehicle with high tactical and technical capabilities, is exhibited in two different models. ARMA, featuring superior mobility, high mine and ballistic protection, offers medium and high caliber weapons system integration options to serve in peacekeeping and humanitarian missions in the most challenging terrain and climate conditions. ARMA, which is also available with an amphibious kit, impresses with its high combat payload and spacious interiors. ARMA family, which can be equipped with different weapon and turret systems in response to different requirements, can be adapted to diverse missions with variants such as armored personnel carrier, armored combat vehicle, command control, and CBRN reconnaissance vehicle. Currently more than 650 ARMA vehicles serve in the inventories of nine users in five countries. At IDEX 2025, Otokar displays ARMA 6×6 with 25 mm MIZRAK Turret and ARMA 8×8 with 30 mm MIZRAK Turret.

A POWERFUL SOLUTION TO ASYMMETRIC THREATS: ARMA II

ARMA II 8×8 Armored Vehicle, the new member of the ARMA series developed by Otokar considering the conventional combat conditions as well as the most common asymmetrical threats today. ARMA II offers best-in-class ballistic, mine and improvised explosive device (IED) protection and optimal terrain capability. With a maximum Gross Vehicle Weight of 40 tons, ARMA II comes with higher payload and improved protection, and can be configured for the integration of heavy weapon systems up to 120mm caliber. ARMA II is equipped with 6-cylinder, turbodiesel, 720 HP engine. ARMA II offers a platform suitable for many different missions; from armored combat vehicle to armored personnel carrier; from command and control vehicles to air defense missions. With the extra interior volume provided by the expanded hull, ARMA II is the most superior vehicle in its class with the modularity to operate as a maintenance and repair vehicle or an ambulance. At IDEX 2025, Otokar displays ARMA II 8×8 with 30 mm MIZRAK Turret.

NEXT-GENERATION ARMORED COMBAT VEHICLE: TULPAR

TULPAR stands out with mobility, high firepower, and survivability features. TULPAR is designed as a multi-purpose tracked vehicle with variants ranging from 28,000kg to 45,000kg to fully satisfy the modern armies’ existing and future requirements.

TULPAR comes in several variants including but not limited to Light/medium tank, Infantry Fighting Vehicle, Recovery Vehicle, Mortar Vehicle, Air Defense Weapon Carrier, Fire Support, Medical Evacuation having common subsystems. Tested in the toughest climates and on rough terrain conditions, TULPAR boosts high ballistic and mine protection with modular armor.

In addition to its high fire and destruction power, with its high mobility TULPAR, can serve in all kinds of combat environments from urban, built-up areas and light bridges to woodlands and all terrains, especially soft surfaces where main battle tanks are unable to operate due to their heavy weights. At IDEX 2025, Otokar exhibits TULPAR with Leonardo 120 mm turret.

About Otokar :

Otokar (BIST: OTKAR) was established in 1963 at a time when industrialization and modernization initiatives were being launched in Türkiye. Operating at its plant with 552,000 sqm of production area in Arifiye, Sakarya with over 3,500 employees, Otokar offers solutions tailored to the needs of its customers using its own technology, design and applications. Otokar designs and produces various types of 4×4, 6×6, 8×8 tactical wheeled armored vehicles, tracked armored vehicles, unmanned vehicles and turret systems in the defense industry. Otokar, which is among the military vehicle suppliers of NATO and the United Nations since 1980s, has over 33 thousand military vehicles in the inventory of more than 70 users in 40 plus friendly and allied countries.

 

17 Feb 25. Indra Showcases Cutting-edge Defence Systems at IDEX, Strengthening its Position As Key Regional Technology Partner

* For the first time at an international forum the company will present Pulse, a new Abu Dhabi-based joint venture created with the Edge defence group to develop and market radars in high-potential market

* Indra will showcase its state-of-the-art systems to protect and strengthen the naval domain of military vessels on board an Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB) FA-400 patrol vessel

* Next generation anti-drone systems, 3D radars, electronic defence systems, military communications, satellite management platforms and simulators are just some of the solutions that Indra will showcase at Idex

* The company maintains a strong position throughout the region, with major projects critical to the defence of the countries in this part of the world

Indra will showcase some of the leading defence solutions on the market that it is currently using to equip the world’s most advanced armies at Idex, one of the largest international trade fairs in the world to be held in Abu Dhabi from 17 to 21 February.

The company has taken on a growing role as a key technological partner for the countries in the Arabian Gulf region, forging a close collaborative relationship with local companies and fostering projects of the utmost importance to the defence and security of this part of the world.

One example of the above is the creation of Pulse, the joint venture comprising Indra and Edge to develop next generation radars for high-potential market.

As part of this partnership, Indra will showcase some of its latest and most advanced radars at Edge’s booth. These include the AESA Nemus and Nemus-C, two cutting-edge systems designed to protect military and armored vehicles from drone attacks and different kinds of missiles and projectiles.

Similarly, together with Edge, Indra will showcase the AESA MTR-10 radar, developed by the company to perform anti-aircraft defence functions, which is currently one of the most sophisticated models on the market. It will also showcase an advanced self-protection pod to transport aircraft, fighters and helicopters that incorporates the latest breakthroughs in digitization and signal processing.

Within the framework of Navdex, the Naval Defence & Maritime Security Exhibition to be held alongside Idex, Indra will showcase state-of-the-art radars and electronic defence systems in one of the patrol vessel of the Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB) company. These include an advanced 3D radar, electronic defence systems to detect and measure radar and communications signals (R-ESM, C-ESM) and its Crow anti-drone system (C-UAS), a solution being used by the armies of several countries which has demonstrated excellent protection capabilities in land and naval environments during real operations.

As well as this impressive array of state-of-the-art systems, Indra will be showcasing a wide range of solutions at its own booth, including simulators, military communications systems, border surveillance systems and advanced platforms for satellite constellations and space missions.

The company is currently working on incorporating cutting-edge technologies linked to artificial intelligence, cloud computing, advanced communications and virtual reality that are set to shape the future of defence. It is doing so for some of the world’s most ambitious projects, such as the evolution of the Eurofighter, developing the future combat air system (NGWS/FCAS), developing systems for ships such as the F110 and the next generation S80 submarine, systems for battleships and military vehicles such as the 8×8 Dragon and all kinds of command and control solutions suited to all of the levels of the chain of command and national air defence systems.

Indra maintains a strong presence in the Arabian Peninsula and the Middle East, a region in which it has undertaken significant projects for the security of the area, including the deployment of Oman’s comprehensive air defence system based on the company’s Lanza radars. It has also equipped different classes of Saudi Arabian corvettes with its sensors and systems, working together with Navantia and Lockheed Martin to do so. It has also worked on defence projects with other countries in the area, including Kuwait. (Source: ASD Network)

 

17 Feb 25. EPI, an entity of EDGE Group and the cornerstone of precision engineering in the UAE’s aerospace, oil and gas, and defence industries, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with General Atomics-Systems Integration, an affiliate of General Atomics.

The signing ceremony was held on February 17, 2025, at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre during the International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX) 2025.

“Through this collaboration, EPI will significantly expand its capabilities. This will include the establishment of a state-of-the-art facility to support the production of electromechanical systems,” said Michael Deshaies, CEO of EPI.

“Working with EPI will mark a leap forward in the development and manufacturing of this advanced aviation technology,” said General Atomics-Systems Integration Vice President Scott Sappenfield. “We expect to offer safe, affordable, high-performance solutions to replace legacy systems in military and commercial aircraft.”

This project is enabled by the Tawazun Council (Tawazun Economic Program). A key milestone in the project will be the certification of EPI’s facility as a Part 145 repair centre. This will involve the production airworthiness certification process and the test and evaluation of prototype units, ensuring compliance with the highest industry standards.

 

17 Feb 25. EDGE Group, one of the world’s leading advanced technology and defence groups, and ELT Group, a global leader in the development of innovative technologies for electromagnetic spectrum and cyberspace applications, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to assess the potential for a future joint venture based in the United Arab Emirates.

The agreement was signed by Hamad Al Marar, Managing Director & CEO of EDGE Group, and Enzo Benigni, Chairman & CEO of ELT Group, at the EDGE stand during the International Defence Exhibition (IDEX) 2025 in Abu Dhabi. This cooperation reflects both companies’ commitment to exploring synergies in defence technologies, with a particular focus on innovation growth in the field of Electronic Warfare.

Should the collaboration be successful, the future entity will be established in the UAE and would focus on the development of Electronic Warfare (EW) systems, including Cyber Electromagnetic Applications (CEMA).  One potential area of collaboration could be integrating these solutions into vessels built by EDGE Group’s maritime arm, ADSB, and MAESTRAL.

Enzo Benigni, Chairman & CEO of ELT Group, said: “This collaboration aligns with ELT’s strategy to expand partnerships within the UAE defence ecosystem by working with key players like EDGE Group. The primary aim is to provide to UAE cutting-edge, locally developed EMSO solutions and to strengthen our position in export markets, particularly in non-NATO countries.”

Hamad Al Marar, Managing Director & CEO of EDGE Group, said: “This marks the beginning of a long-term partnership with a highly regarded developer of sophisticated technologies for the electromagnetic spectrum and cyberspace—fields in which EDGE is already establishing itself as a leader. By combining ELT Group’s expertise with EDGE’s cross-domain capabilities and scale, we will integrate cutting-edge systems and electronic warfare solutions across multiple domains, ensuring superior situational awareness, threat detection, and countermeasure capabilities in air, land, and maritime, and space operations.”

This collaboration aims to enhance mutual capabilities across multiple domains, ensuring comprehensive electronic defence, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), electromagnetic attack, homeland security, and infrastructure protection. It will also reinforce both entities’ position as key players in the Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations (EMSO) and address the evolving needs of the defence sector both regionally and internationally.

 

17 Feb 25. Hensoldt showcases new GMJ9500 man-portable RCIED jammer at IDEX. Hensoldt is showcasing the latest addition to its man-portable radio-controlled improvised explosive devices (RCIED) jammer family, the GMJ9500, at the IDEX 2025 exhibition underway in Abu Dhabi this week. Designed to provide mission-critical protection against radio-controlled improvised explosive devices, the GMJ9500 series delivers a lightweight, modular and highly adaptable solution for military and security forces operating in high-threat environments, Hensoldt said in a statement. The GMJ9500 family offers jamming technology for three primary applications: protecting infantry squads during patrols, enhancing safety in de-mining and counter-IED operations and safeguarding EOD (explosive ordnance disposal) and bomb squad technicians against RCIED threats. With a 20 MHz – 6000 MHz frequency range, the system employs advanced jamming algorithms to neutralise RCIED threats effectively, Hensoldt added. The modular design allows operators to configure jammers based on specific mission requirements, offering flexibility across multiple operational scenarios. The GMJ9500 jamming system features a modular configuration, and can be tailored for optimal performance against varying threat landscapes: software-defined technology enables the integration of new jamming waveforms as threats evolve, ensuring long-term adaptability. Additionally, the system effectively jams drone-controller frequencies, enhancing operational security against unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) threats. The GMJ Mission Software enables precise programming of attack frequencies and blocked bands while ensuring seamless integration with own-force communications, Hensoldt said. The software automatically calculates jamming waveforms and generates mission files for rapid deployment, enhancing operational efficiency and effectiveness. The GEW business unit of Hensoldt South Africa specialises in communication monitoring and jamming, direction finding, electronic countermeasures/warfare, electromagnetic spectrum management and security systems. Since the 1960s the company has been involved in providing electronic support, electronic attack and electronic warfare solutions. Its signal intelligence and spectrum monitoring systems have been sold and are in operation in more than 30 countries worldwide, including with the South African Air Force, Army and Navy, and the spectrum regulatory body, ICASA. The company’s jamming systems are used to protect fixed targets, convoys, individual vehicles and foot patrols (manpack system) against remotely controlled improvised explosive devices and other threats, such as the roadside bombs. Hensoldt South Africa is also active in the fields of airspace surveillance, and security systems, particularly perimeter and border fencing systems with integrated alerting systems to localise a breach. Such systems have been successfully used to counter wildlife poaching.

Hensoldt South Africa is increasing its involvement in the radar, data link, identification friend or foe (IFF), customer services and business development fields, amongst many others. Its Radar Business Unit offers 3D radar, synthetic aperture radar, radar for counter-UAV operations and passive radar. One of the biggest radar projects in South Africa in recent years is Hensoldt South Africa’s Quadome dual-mode, three-dimensional (3D), multi-mission radar for air and surface surveillance as well as target acquisition. This has already attracted its first export customer, the UK Royal Fleet Auxiliary. (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)

 

12 Feb 25. EDGE, one of the world’s leading advanced technology and defence groups, has announced the launch of POWERTECH, a new company focused on the development and production of high-performance aero engines and complete propulsion systems. With a clear ambition to compete in the global propulsion market, POWERTECH will deliver reliable, purpose-built engines for civil aerospace and defence applications. Established to meet the growing global demand for propulsion systems, POWERTECH is driven by the rapid expansion of aerospace and autonomous platforms across multiple sectors. In addition to addressing international market needs, POWERTECH will strengthen EDGE’s portfolio by creating cross-complementary synergies, supporting the performance of EDGE’s UAVs and autonomous systems while offering flexible solutions for both local and global markets.

Khaled Al Zaabi, President – Platforms & Systems, commented: “The launch of POWERTECH represents a strategic move to enter the global propulsion market while enhancing EDGE’s capabilities across aerospace and autonomous systems. By developing tailored, application-specific solutions, we are strengthening our market position and creating new opportunities for innovation and collaboration. This approach also underscores our ambition to build a robust and sustainable manufacturing ecosystem in the UAE.”

The addition of POWERTECH to EDGE Group’s portfolio marks a significant step toward building an integrated ecosystem for autonomous platforms and other aircraft. The new entity will play a key role in supporting the UAE’s industrial strategy while opening opportunities in local and international markets. (Source: joint-forces.com)

 

16 Feb 25. ELT Group is attendimg the 2025 edition of IDEX Exhibition, The International Defence Exhibition and Conference held at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre between 17th and 21st February as a confirmation of a longtime presence in the Country. Having operated in the UAE for over 40 years and noting its technological progress, ELT Group is taking steps to boost local value and contribute to the nation’s tech sovereignty. Working with local partners the Group aims to enhance local capabilities, supply chain management, support, maintenance, and manufacturing within the EW domain. In the next five years, it will keep on improving its presence in the Country through initiatives designed to consolidate the successful collaborations. At ELT Group stand (06-A04) the visitors will be able to learn more about all the Group solutions, capabilities and products applicable to all domains. Starting from a very strong competence and ability  in the governance of the EMSO (Electromagnetic Spectrum Operation), achieved through more than 70 years of studies and applications in this field and, the Group today is able to apply them to a wide range of  cutting-edge technologies that covers electronic defence, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), electronic  attack, homeland security, and infrastructure protection.

The main technologies showcased at the stand:

SWaP (Size, Weight, and Power)-optimized ELINT payload based on Fully digital solutions for compact, lightweight, and low-consumption payloads, introducing a new concept of ISR operations based on manned-unmanned-teaming and leveraging artificial intelligence for enhanced ELINT capabilities and mission data management, ensuring superior reporting and operational readiness.

The evolution program of SCORPIO, our first space-based spectrum monitoring application for commercial maritime traffic, is currently operating in LEO orbit. The extended use of AI algorithms enhances electromagnetic spectrum monitoring through satellite constellations, enabling continuous operational missions.

We are presenting ELT’s next-generation ELINT configuration for both airborne and land-based platforms. This innovative solution integrates AI-driven data mining techniques to achieve superior signal resolution and identification, setting a new benchmark in electronic intelligence and situational awareness. Furthermore, AI/ML capabilities are extended to Mission Data reporting and debriefing, significantly reducing human workload and enabling fast, real-time AI-supported analysis.

ELT’s introduces its latest Electronic Attack solutions, designed to deliver advanced electromagnetic countermeasures for both airborne and land-based applications. The ELT’s airborne EA represents a cutting-edge solution and integrated with ELINT capabilities, enables real-time monitoring of the electromagnetic environment for an immediate, adaptive responses to evolving threats.

Expanding beyond airborne capabilities the Zenithal Jammer is used in support to land and/or naval military operations by offering electromagnetic countermeasures (jamming, deception) against Synthetic Aperture Radars (SAR). The product is an all-in-one solution for search-track-countermeasure of aerial threats equipped by imaging Radars, in order to deny/degrade the use of the electromagnetic spectrum (jamming) as well as create false targets or obfuscate the real target with fake images/spots.

On ELT Group’s stand will be available an EW Simulation Lab where the visitors can experience, by live-demos, an immersive and high-fidelity simulation centre where the operator can test his ability in an EW Multilayer environment to analyse and identify radar threats and apply EW countermeasures to appreciate their effectiveness.

 

16 Feb 25. AeroVironment (AV), a global leader in intelligent, multi-domain autonomous solutions, today announced the launch of the JUMP® 20-X, a next-generation, modular Group 3 uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) designed to meet the dynamic demands of modern warfare. Setting a new benchmark for autonomous maritime operations, the JUMP 20-X delivers unrivaled versatility, efficiency, and precision in contested and complex environments.

“The JUMP 20-X is more than a UAS—it’s a force multiplier that delivers the unmatched versatility, efficiency, and reliability modern operators’ demand. By combining cutting-edge autonomy, extended endurance, and a modular design, JUMP 20-X redefines what’s possible for maritime and expeditionary UAS operations in the most contested domains.”

Unveiled at the 2025 International Defence Exhibition & Conference (IDEX), the JUMP 20-X is a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) medium uncrewed aircraft system (MUAS) engineered to revolutionize shipboard UAS operations. With an advanced heavy-fuel engine capable of running on multiple fuel types, JUMP 20-X enhances operational flexibility, simplifies refueling logistics, and ensures mission adaptability across diverse maritime and expeditionary environments.

Unmatched Endurance, Multi-Domain Connectivity & Scalable Lethality

Built for long-range, multi-domain operations, JUMP 20-X boasts an impressive 13-hour flight endurance and beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) connectivity, ensuring persistent surveillance and strike capabilities far beyond the horizon. Its modular 30-pound multi-payload capacity is unmatched in its class, supporting a wide range of mission sets, including:

* ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance)

* Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) & Wide-Area Surveillance (WAS)

* Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) & Electronic Warfare (EW)

* Secure Communications & Video Relay

* Precision Strike Capabilities with customizable lethality options

Future-Proofed with MOSA: Modular, Open, Systems, Approach

The JUMP 20-X is built on an open-architecture, payload-agnostic, radio-agnostic, and STANAG-compliant framework, ensuring rapid integration with existing military networks and emerging technologies. This future-proof design enables seamless interoperability across joint, allied, and coalition forces, allowing operators to adapt to evolving mission requirements in real time.

AI-Powered Precision & Autonomous Shipboard Operations

Designed for hands-free operation in highly complex environments, JUMP 20-X leverages AI-powered autonomy to ensure precise takeoff and landing—even on fast-moving ships in rough seas or under extreme conditions, day or night.

Additionally, AV’s cutting-edge SPOTR-Edge™ computer vision technology enables automated object detection and classification, enhancing situational awareness and tactical decision-making in real time. From identifying hostile threats to tracking moving maritime and aerial assets, SPOTR-Edge™ provides unparalleled intelligence at the tactical edge.

A New Era in Maritime UAS Operations

Shane Hastings, AV’s vice president and general manager of Medium Uncrewed Aircraft Systems, emphasized the transformative impact of JUMP 20-X:

“The JUMP 20-X is more than a UAS—it’s a force multiplier that delivers the unmatched versatility, efficiency, and reliability modern operators’ demand. By combining cutting-edge autonomy, extended endurance, and a modular design, JUMP 20-X redefines what’s possible for maritime and expeditionary UAS operations in the most contested domains.”

(Source: BUSINESS WIRE)

 

03 Feb 25. Chepstow Military Raceday returns on November 5th 2024 with extended C-UAS Conference.

Protecting Critical Sporting Infrastructure and Events

Chepstow Racecourse 4-5 November 2025

Dive into the future of drone technology and security at the UK’s premier Counter-Unmanned Air Vehicle (C-UAV) and Counter-Unmanned Air System (C-UAS) Exhibition & Conference. This groundbreaking event brings together key stakeholders to tackle the evolving threats posed by unmanned aerial systems to critical sporting infrastructure, with a particular focus on horse racing.

Why Attend?

Organised by BATTLESPACE Publications and Marksman Communication, the second iteration of Protecting Critical Sporting Infrastructure and Events promises two days of insights, collaboration, and cutting-edge technology demonstrations. With an expanded format and agenda, this event addresses pressing concerns about drone incursions in the sports sector, including illegal streaming, unauthorised filming, and safeguarding compliance under Martyn’s Law.

What to Expect:

• Exclusive Insights: Engage with government policymakers, industry leaders, and innovators shaping the future of aerial security.
• Live Demonstrations: Witness the latest advancements in C-UAV/C-UAS technology, with real-world demonstrations tailored to sporting venues.
• Networking Opportunities: Forge partnerships with like-minded professionals dedicated to securing critical infrastructure.
• Practical Applications: Explore how Martyn’s Law impacts the events sector and what venues must do to comply with these vital regulations.

Julian Nettlefold, Publisher of BATTLESPACE, highlights the urgency: “Drone threats to sporting events, particularly racing, have grown exponentially over the past five years. Racing’s vulnerability to illegal gambling syndicates underscores the critical need for robust drone defences. This event builds on the success of last year’s conference by expanding to include product demonstrations and exciting attractions such as drone racing.”

Craig Taylor, Director of Marksman Communication, emphasised the importance of legal compliance: “Events organisers and venue owners must understand their obligations under Martyn’s Law to ensure both safety and regulatory compliance. This conference is a vital platform for sharing knowledge and equipping the industry to tackle the challenges posed by drone incursions.”

Ian Cameron-Mowat, Conference Chairman, also remarked, “This year’s agenda is designed to inform, inspire, and drive action in securing the UK’s sporting events.”

Agenda

Day One – 4 November 2025

Exploring Regulatory, Technological, and Insurance Challenges

10:00 – Registration and Breakfast

10:30 – Chairman’s Welcome and Introduction

10:50 – Outline of Martyn’s Law – UK Home Office TBC

11:10 – UAV Challenges Facing Sporting Venues – Arena Leisure

11:30 – Coffee Break and Product Demonstrations

12:10 – Insurance Challenges to Comply with Martyn’s Law

12:30 – Protecting Important Visitors from Drone Incursions

12:50 – Lunch Break and Drone Racing TBC

14:30 – The Challenges of Illegal Streaming

14:50 – Crowd Protection at Sporting Venues

15:10 – Animal and Team Protection at Sporting Venues

15:30 – The Requirement for Portable C-UAS Systems

15:50 – Tea Break

16:30 – Q&A Panel Discussion

18:30 – Drinks Reception

19:30 – BBOY Award Presentation

20:00 – Gala Dinner

22:00 – Charity Auction

Day Two – 5 November 2025

Harnessing Dual-Use Military Technology for Sporting Events

Costs

Day 1: Tuesday 4^th Nov:

Conference £300pp+ vat = £360.00pp inc vat

BOOK – 220 available

Day 1: Tuesday 4^th Nov:

Gala Dinner including drink on arrival:  £75.00pp+vat = £90.00pp inc vat

BOOK – 220 available

Day 2: Wednesday 5^th Nov:

Racing Event Silver Ticket:  

£120pp +vat

£1200 + VAT per table of 10

Day 2: Wednesday 5^th Nov:

Racing Event Gold Sponsor Ticket

Table of 10 only £2,500.00 +vat = £3,000.00 inc vat

Coldra Court Hotel | 4-Star Hotel Breaks In The UK: £110.00 inc vat:  B&B

Harnessing Dual-Use Military Technology for Sporting Events

The Growing Threat of Drone Incursions

Drone incursions pose a rapidly escalating risk to the safety and security of critical sporting events. In the horse racing sector, unauthorised drones are increasingly being used for illegal streaming, providing real-time footage to gambling syndicates and bypassing official broadcast rights. Beyond financial losses, these activities compromise venue security, distract participants, and jeopardise the welfare of animals and attendees. Recent advancements in drone technology, including increased flight range, payload capacity, and autonomous navigation, have made detection and mitigation more challenging. Furthermore, with drones capable of carrying dangerous payloads, the potential for malicious attacks looms large. This highlights the urgent need for sporting venues to adopt robust counter-drone systems and ensure compliance with Martyn’s Law to protect visitors, participants, and infrastructure.

Join Us in Protecting the Future of UK Sports

Don’t miss this vital opportunity to engage with the experts driving innovation and security in the face of increasing drone threats. Whether you’re a policymaker, event organiser, or technology developer, this event is your chance to stay ahead of the curve. Secure your place now and be part of the conversation shaping the future of sporting event safety.

Ticket bookings: 

Chosen Charities: SSAFA, Combat Stress, Royal Hospital Chelsea Outreach Programme

 

22 Dec 24. The FT reported tonight that Palantir and Anduril, two of the largest US defence technology companies, are in talks with about a dozen competitors to form a consortium that will jointly bid for US government work in an effort to disrupt the country’s oligopoly of “prime” contractors. The consortium is planning to announce as early as January that it has reached agreements with a number of tech groups. Companies in talks to join include Elon Musk’s SpaceX, ChatGPT maker OpenAI, autonomous shipbuilder Saronic, and artificial intelligence data group Scale AI, according to several people with knowledge of the matter. “We are working together to provide a new generation of defence contractors,” said one person involved in developing the group. The move comes as tech companies seek to grab a bigger slice of the US government’s huge $850bn defence budget from traditional prime contractors such as Lockheed Martin, Raytheon and Boeing. The consortium will bring together the heft of some of Silicon Valley’s most valuable companies and will leverage their products to provide a more efficient way of supplying the US government with cutting-edge defence and weapons capabilities, according to a second person involved. It comes as defence tech start-ups have attracted record amounts of funding this year, as investors bet they will be among the winners of higher federal spending on national security, immigration and space exploration under Donald Trump’s incoming government. Wars in Ukraine and the Middle East and geopolitical tensions between the US and China have heightened the government’s reliance on tech companies developing advanced AI products that can be used for military purposes, and encouraged investors to the sector. Palantir’s share price has skyrocketed by 300 per cent in the past year, giving the company a market capitalisation of $169bn — larger than Lockheed Martin. The data intelligence group was co-founded by tech investor Peter Thiel, who also provided the initial backing for Anduril, which launched in 2017 and was this year valued at $14bn. Meanwhile, SpaceX was valued at $350bn this month, making it the world’s largest private start-up, and OpenAI has soared to a valuation of $157bn since it was founded in 2015. Each of the companies has attempted to grab a slice of the government’s defence budget. While SpaceX and Palantir have won large public contracts going back two decades, some are newer to government procurement.  US defence procurement has long been criticised as slow and anti-competitive, favouring a small number of decades-old primes, such as Lockheed Martin, Raytheon and Boeing. These vast conglomerates typically produce ships, tanks and aircraft that are costly and take years to design and manufacture. Silicon Valley’s burgeoning defence industry has prioritised producing smaller, cheaper, autonomous weapons that they claim will better protect the US and its allies in a modern conflict. One person involved in developing the consortium described it as “aligning industry” in order to “execute the technical priorities of the Department of Defense” and “solve critical software capability problems”. Some tie-ups between the tech groups expected to be in the consortium have already been agreed and integration work will begin immediately. Palantir’s “AI Platform”, which delivers cloud-based data processing, was this month integrated with Anduril’s autonomous software, “Lattice”, to deliver AI for national security purposes. Similarly, Anduril combined its counter-drone defence systems with OpenAI’s advanced AI models to jointly work on US government contracts related to “aerial threats”. A joint statement from Anduril and OpenAI about that partnership said it “aims to ensure that the US Department of Defense and intelligence community have access to the most advanced, effective, and safe AI-driven technologies available in the world”. Anduril, OpenAI and Scale AI declined to comment on the development of the consortium. Palantir, SpaceX and Saronic did not respond to requests for comment. (Source: FT.com)

BATTLESPACE Comment: This is a procurement model which BATTLESPACE has been pushing for many years. It was highlighted at the recent C-UAS Conference at Chepstow in November where Denys Demko of the Ukraine Embassy in London,  gave an excellent speech highlighting that Ukraine’s weapons technology was refreshed every 6 weeks (Ed: not 6 years minimum as per the curremt UK model).

 

 

08 Dec 24. – Extract- The FT reported today that Syrian rebels seized Damascus on Sunday as President Bashar al-Assad’s regime collapsed in the face of the insurgents’ stunning offensive across the country. The rebels said in a statement that “the city of Damascus is free from the tyrant Bashar al-Assad” and that “Assad has fled” after various factions encircled the capital from the north and the south. The whereabouts of Assad were unclear, with reports that he had fled, as the rebel onslaught brought an ignominious end to a family dynasty that has ruled Syria for more than 50 years. Videos sent to the FT by a Damascus resident purportedly showed people inside the presidential palace, rummaging through rooms and smashing pictures of the Assad family. A man dressed in civilian clothing appeared on Syrian state TV on Sunday morning, declaring that the rebels had “liberated” Damascus, and released detainees from “regime prisons”. He called on fighters to “protect the properties of the free Syrian state”. The speaker was flanked by eight other men, also in civilian clothes. Several of the men had their arms around each others’ shoulders. “It’s something historical. No one has suffered as much as the Syrian people.” He added that rebel militants were posted outside banks and other public institutions to guard them. The downfall of the Assad regime would usher in a period of huge uncertainty for Syria, a nation shattered and fragmented after 13 years of civil war, and for the wider region. The country shares borders with Israel, Jordan, Iraq and Lebanon. Rebel groups have clashed with each other in the past. The rebel offensive has been led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, an Islamist movement that was confined to Syria’s north-west province of Idlib before beginning its offensive 12 days ago. The group, which was once an affiliate of al-Qaeda, rocked the country by seizing Aleppo, Syria’s second city, within 48 hours and then marching southwards towards the capital. It has been working with Turkish-backed rebels who operate under the umbrella of the Syrian National Army, but Syria is home to myriad factions and the degree of co-ordination between them all is unclear. As rebels entered the palace, Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali said he was ready to work with any leadership chosen by the people and called for unity, saying “Syria is for all Syrians”. “I am in my home and I have not left,” he said in a video statement. “We are ready to co-operate and all the properties of the people and the institutions of the Syrian state must be preserved,” he said. “They belong to all Syrians.” Jalali said he last had contact with Assad on Saturday evening and has no idea where he is. In an interview with Saudi broadcaster Al Arabiya later on Sunday morning, Jalali said he has been in touch with HTS leader Jolani to discuss a transition. There was no official statement by the Syrian presidency, the military or state media about the Assad or the situation in the country. Al-Ekhbaria, one state-run TV channel, had been broadcasting pre-recorded footage of Syrian architecture set to light guitar music. (Source: FT.com)

05 Dec 24. On December 2,  Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III signed a classified Strategy for Countering Unmanned Systems. The strategy unifies the Department’s approach to countering these systems that looks across domains, characteristics, and timeframes. Unmanned systems pose both an urgent and enduring threat to U.S. personnel, facilities, and assets overseas. Unmanned aerial systems, most commonly known as drones, pose the most significant threat at this time and increasingly in the US homeland. These threats are changing how wars are fought. By producing a singular Strategy for Countering Unmanned Systems, the Secretary and the Department are orienting around a common understanding of the challenge and a shared approach to addressing it. The strategy builds on other major DoD initiatives, including the standup of the Joint Counter-Small UAS Office, the establishment of a Warfighter Senior Integration Group to meet urgent operational needs, and the launch of the Replicator 2 initiative to defend against the threats of small aerial systems at our most critical installations and force concentrations. The recent designation of the Commanders of NORTHCOM and INDOPACOM as the lead synchronizers for operations to counter-UAS in the homeland also ensures a cohesive approach to this challenge. Focusing on the near-term problem is not be enough. The Strategy for Countering Unmanned Systems helps set the Department’s gaze beyond the “five-meter target” to threats we may see in the future, acknowledging the rapid evolution of these capabilities.

According to an unclassified fact sheet released by the department, unmanned systems are increasing in capability and are posing ever-increasing threats to the U.S. and its allies.

“Enabled by growing commercial innovation and the increasing sophistication of artificial intelligence, autonomy and networking technology, unmanned systems are fundamentally changing how militaries of all sizes, capacities, and capabilities — as well as non-state actors — achieve their objectives,” the fact sheet says.

Countering the effects of those unmanned systems has been a priority for the secretary of defense since he took office in 2021, said the Pentagon press secretary during a briefing today. The new strategy strengthens efforts already underway by the department to deal with the growing threat.

“Unmanned systems, more commonly known as drones, have the potential to pose both an urgent and enduring threat to U.S. personnel, facilities and assets overseas and increasingly in the U.S. homeland,” said Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder. “The threats presented by these systems are changing how wars are fought. With this singular strategy for countering unmanned systems, in conjunction with other major DOD initiatives … the DOD is orienting around a common understanding of the challenge and a comprehensive approach to addressing it.”

The new strategy builds on other major DOD initiatives, including the standup of the Joint Counter-Small UAS Office, the establishment of the Warfighter Senior Integration Group, and the launch of the Replicator 2 initiative meant to defend against threats posed by small aerial systems.  The new strategy is classified, but the associated unclassified fact sheet reveals some of the efforts the department plans to take as part of that strategy.  One effort involves gaining a better understanding of the threats posed by unmanned systems and improving the ability of American forces to detect, track and characterize those threats.  Another aspect of the strategy is to build counter-unmanned system efforts and knowledge into existing U.S. military doctrine, organization, training, materiel, leadership, personnel, facilities and policy.  Through the strategy, the department also commits to delivering adaptable counter-UAS solutions more quickly and at scale, including by working more closely with U.S. partners and allies.  Of note also is that the department, within the strategy, recognizes the vast difference between the low cost of developing and deploying unmanned systems and the high cost the U.S. currently spends to defeat those systems. Here, in the strategy, the department commits to reducing the imbalance.  Ryder said the strategy allows the department to approach the threat posed by UAS in a way that’s “comprehensive, cohesive and holistic.”

(Source: U.S. DoD)