JOB OPPORTUNITIES
02 Jan 25. UK Government is hiring – looking for scientific experts for high-profile roles. Opportunities for scientific experts to join the government and put science advice at the heart of decision making.
The UK government is currently advertising several high-profile roles for scientific experts. These positions offer a unique chance to inform policy and decision making at the highest levels and an opportunity to make a significant impact on national policy.
Professor Dame Angela McLean said:
Looking to use your expertise to put excellent science advice at the heart of decision making? Then consider joining the ranks of science advisers to government. These roles are exciting, challenging and rewarding, so I encourage you to consider applying.
Chief Scientific Adviser roles
Chief Scientific Advisers (CSAs) provide independent science advice to ministers and departments, lead their department’s science systems, and contribute to evidence-based decision making. These are positions directly employed by a government department or arm’s-length body, usually for a minimum of 4 days a week and for a period of at least 3 years.
Who should apply
We encourage applications from individuals with:
- Strong scientific and/or engineering backgrounds and expertise
- A passion for applying scientific knowledge to real-world challenges
- A desire to move into a government role at the intersection of science and government
Current CSA vacancies
Current CSA vacancies will be advertised here.
Scientific Advisory Committees and Councils (SACs) positions
SACs help government departments (and their arm’s-length bodies) to access, interpret and understand the full range of relevant scientific information, and to make judgements about its relevance, potential and application. SAC member positions are part-time roles, which vary in terms of minimum time and length requirements. They are conducted at the same time as your existing work activities.
Who should apply
We encourage applications from individuals with:
- Strong scientific and/or engineering backgrounds and subject-matter expertise
- A passion for applying scientific knowledge to real-world challenges
- A desire to work in government and closely influence policymaking but without moving away from academia
Current SAC vacancies
If you are interested in joining a SAC, membership is usually through an open public appointment. Opportunities are advertised on the Apply for a public appointment page.
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero’s Science and Technology Advisory Council (STAC) is currently recruiting members. Find out more on this page: https://apply-for-public-appointment.service.gov.uk/roles/8465 (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
LOCATIONS
LAND
02 Jan 25. Ghana commissions new naval base. Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo commissioned Forward Operating Base (FOB) Ezinlibo in the Western Region on 23 December.
“This strategically located base will enhance the navy’s capacity to combat piracy, illegal fishing, and other security threats in the Gulf of Guinea,” he said in a statement. The Ghana Armed Forces reported two days later that the new naval base can accommodate more than 1,000 personnel.
The event was held five years after the president inaugurated work on the new base, which is close to the border with Côte d’Ivoire, making it ideally located for protecting Ghana’s offshore oilfields. Akufo-Addo also visited Sekondi Naval Base on the same day to commission a new naval vessel called GNS Achimota (P 46), which he described as the largest ship built in Ghana. However, the Ghana Navy clarified that its new ship, while its largest at 65 m, was acquired from Japan and arrived on 21 December, having completed the service’s longest voyage. It released a photograph showing the vessel before it was repainted grey and had the International Maritime Organization (IMO) number of Japanese Fisheries Agency patrol vessel Aratsu. It said Achimota would be used for fisheries protection and training. (Source: Janes)
MARITIME
31 Dec 24. Iraqi naval forces receive fast patrol boats from Ares Shipyard. Ares Shipyard in Türkiye has delivered three Type 55 SAT special operations support and fast attack craft for the Iraqi naval forces. The main contractor, ENM Korea, signed a contract for the construction of three Type 55 SAT coastguard boats for the Iraqi Naval Forces Command, with the keels of these vessels laid in October 2022. The boats are designed for fast patrol, surveillance, protection of critical infrastructure, and asymmetric warfare operations. They are equipped with one Aselsan Stamp stabilised remote-controlled naval weapon system and two manually operated 12.7 mm machine guns. In addition, they feature a suite of naval communications equipment, an electro-optic (E/O) sensor, and an X-band radar. Equipped with active stabilisation systems and water-jet propulsion, the vessels can achieve speeds exceeding 45 kt, enabling them to perform rapid interception operations. While the contract specified Type 55 boats with a length of 17.10 m, the Iraqi vessels were extended to an overall length of 19.10 m. The boats have a beam of 4.80 m and a draught of 1 m. They are powered by two diesel engines with water-jet propulsion, and are constructed from marine-grade aluminium. Ares Shipyard did not provide information on the delivery date of the boats. (Source: Janes)
02 Jan 25. Polish Navy to receive new million-dollar rescue ship. Equipped with specialised equipment, the vessel is designed to support submarine operations. Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ), along with PGZ Stocznia Wojenna and Ośrodek Badawczo-Rozwojowy Centrum Techniki Morskiej entities, has finalised a contract with the Armaments Agency to supply a rescue ship for the Polish Navy. This agreement, valued at more than 1bn zlotys ($241.46m), was officially signed at the Naval Academy in Gdynia. This was witnessed by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz. The project, part of the RATOWNIK programme under the Polish Armed Forces’ technical modernisation plan, is slated for completion between 2025 and 2029. The vessel, designed to support submarine operations with specialised equipment, aligns with another project for the Polish Navy, which includes the ORKA project for acquiring new-type submarines. The rescue ship will measure approximately 96 metres (m) in length, 19m in width and will be capable of traveling up to 6,000 nautical miles with a maximum speed of 16 knots. It is designed to accommodate a crew of 100, plus an additional nine staff members. The RATOWNIK initiative follows other endeavours such as the MIECZNIK multi-purpose frigates and KORMORAN II minehunters. PGZ Management Board member Jan Grabowski said: “Today’s agreement is another milestone for our maritime area. The implementation of the “Ratownik” programme will allow us to improve all the skills, technologies and knowledge that we acquire and engage in the ongoing construction of three multi-purpose frigates for the “Miecznik” programme.
“Cooperation between the Polish Navy and the domestic shipbuilding and arms industry in the course of implementing the Technical Modernisation Plan is a generational opportunity for our companies, within which we strive to acquire competences for both surface and underwater units, in order to be able to support efforts for the maritime security of both the Republic of Poland and our allies.” (Source: naval-technology.com)
02 Jan 25. Indian Navy to commission three new combatant platforms. The vessels include the stealth frigate Nilgiri, destroyer Surat, and Scorpene-class submarine Vaghsheer. The Indian Navy is set to commission three frontline combatant platforms at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai on 15 January 2025. These include the stealth frigate Nilgiri, the destroyer Surat, and the Scorpene-class submarine Vaghsheer. This move is anticipated to bolster the Navy’s combat potential and highlight India’s expertise in indigenous shipbuilding. Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders (MDL) in Mumbai has be appointed to design and construct all three platforms. The delivery of Surat and Nilgiri on 20 December 2024, preceded this event. Nilgiri is an upgraded version of the Shivalik-class frigates, featuring enhanced stealth capabilities and reduced radar signature. It is the first in a series of seven Project 17A frigates being built by MDL and GRSE in Kolkata. These vessels are designed for blue water missions, addressing both conventional and unconventional threats. Surat concludes the Project 15B destroyers, succeeding the Kolkata-class with design and capability enhancements. Both ships were conceived by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau. These ships are equipped for modern aviation operations, capable of handling various helicopters Chetak, ALH, Sea King, and the MH-60R for day and night operations. Features such as a Rail-Less Helicopter Traversing System and Visual Aid Landing System ensure smooth operations under any condition, the Ministry of Defence. They will also accommodate women officers and sailors, reflecting the Navy’s commitment to gender inclusion. Vaghsheer, the sixth and final Scorpene-class submarine of Project 75, is a diesel-electric vessel designed for anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, and special operations Launched by MDL in 2022, it is equipped with torpedoes, anti-ship missiles, and advanced sonar systems. Its modular design allows for future upgrades, including the integration of Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) technology. These vessels have completed extensive trials. (Source: naval-technology.com)
27 Dec 24. Dearsan Shipyard commences construction of two Fast Attack Crafts for Qatar Navy. These crafts, measuring 50.76m in length and 9.53m in width, feature a draft of 2.10m, can reach speeds up to 36 knots. Dearsan Shipyard has started the construction for two 50m Guided Missile Fast Attack Crafts intended for the Qatar Navy. In March this year, at the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition, the Qatari Emiri Navy and Dearsan Shipyard signed a contract for the design and construction of the 50m Fast Attack Crafts. The latest keel laying ceremony was attended by Qatar Navy commander Major General Abdullah Hassan Al Sulaiti, and other delegates. These crafts, measuring 50.76m in length and 9.53m in width, feature a draft of 2.10m, can reach speeds up to 36 knots, and have a range of 1000 nautical miles. Designed for operation in the Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea, their primary functions include surface and air defence warfare, asymmetric warfare, and electronic warfare in and around Qatar’s territorial waters. These are equipped with surface-guided missiles and a 40mm cannon, anti-air guided missiles, and 12.7mm stabilised and manual machine guns. Secondary roles encompass patrolling, anti-piracy, and search and rescue missions. Dearsan Shipyard stated in its LinkedIn post that: “The DEARSAN-designed Qatar 50 m Guided Missile Fast Attack Craft Ships Project will be advanced technology ships that will significantly increase the naval capabilities of the Qatar Navy.” The announcement comes after Dearsan Shipyard in Turkey officially begun the construction of two high-endurance offshore patrol vessels (HE OPVs) for the Nigerian Navy in 2022. The milestone was celebrated with a keel-laying ceremony at the shipyard in September. The 76m-long OPVs were officially recognised by Nigeria Defence Minister Bashir Salihi Magashi, and the Naval Staff chief Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo. (Source: naval-technology.com)
30 Dec 24. Russian Navy commissions new nuclear-powered submarine. Named after the city of Arkhangelsk, the submarine marks the 141st nuclear-powered vessel constructed at Sevmash. The Russian Navy has officially commissioned the Arkhangelsk, a new nuclear-powered submarine under Project 885M (Yasen-M), following a ceremony at the Sevmash Shipyard. The Defence Ministry confirmed the induction of the vessel, which marks the third serial-built unit of the Yasen-M-class submarines. Captain First Rank Alexander Gladkov, the appointed commander of the Arkhangelsk, received the St. Andrew’s naval flag during the event. Named after the city of Arkhangelsk, the submarine marks the 141st nuclear-powered vessel constructed at Sevmash. The shipyard, which celebrated the rollout of the Arkhangelsk on 29 November 2023, is working on four additional Project 885M submarines: Perm, Ulyanovsk, Vladivostok, and Voronezh. The Arkhangelsk is equipped with an array of missile weaponry designed for precision strikes against maritime and land targets. This capability was recently demonstrated by the lead submarine of the Project 885M series, Kazan, during its long-distance deployment and visit to Cuba. The Project 885/885M submarines, including Severodvinsk, Kazan, Novosibirsk, and Krasnoyarsk, are already operational within the Russian Navy. These vessels feature “advanced” Russian technology in missile systems, weaponry, electronic equipment, and propulsion units. According to the Russian News Agency TASS Navy Chief Alexander Moiseyev said: “This enables Yasen-M-class submarines remain an effective and advanced weapon. Thanks to this, they make their invaluable contribution to maintaining global and regional security in peacetime.” The latest upgrades reflect a focus on modernising the components and equipment used in the submarines, with over 400 Russian companies contributing to their construction. The Yasen-M-class submarines, including the Arkhangelsk, are armed with Oniks and Kalibr-PL cruise missiles. The Arkhangelsk has successfully completed all trial stages. (Source: naval-technology.com)
28 Dec 24. China unveils amphibious assault ship that can launch fighter jets. China launched a new amphibious assault ship Friday, capable of launching fighter jets and designed to strengthen the navy’s combat ability in distant seas. The Sichuan, the first ship of the Type 076, is China’s largest such ship yet, displacing 40,000 tons and equipped with an electromagnetic catapult that will allow fighter jets to launch directly off its deck, according to the official Xinhua news agency. The ship is designed to launch ground troops in landing crafts and provide them with air support. Developed by Chinese researchers, it’s also equipped with an “arrestor technology” that allows fighter jets to land on its deck. China’s first amphibious assault ships, the Type 075, launched in 2019. China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy, or PLAN, has been working on modernizing its forces for more than a decade, with the aim of being able to operate globally rather than being restricted to waters near the Chinese mainland. China first managed to launch fighter jets with the new electromagnetic technology on its indigenously made aircraft carrier, the Fujian, which launched two years ago. Chinese military expert Song Zhongping compared the Sichuan to a “light aircraft carrier,” according to the Global Times. The ship will undergo further testing, including sea trials. China has the largest navy in the world and is consistently trying to upgrade its fleet. Recently, researchers found that the country is working on designing a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, which would allow it to deploy its ships in distant waters without needing a base to refuel. The U.S. currently has 11 aircraft carriers, all nuclear powered, allowing it to keep multiple strike groups deployed around the world at all times, including in the Asia-Pacific. (Source: C4ISR & Networks)
AIR
02 Jan 25. UAC has Delivered the New Su-57 and Su-34 to the MoD of the Russian Federation. United Aircraft Corporation has made next tactical aircraft and delivered them to the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation. New Su-57 and Su-34 were sent to the field under the state defence procurement program. Rostec’s aircraft manufacturers deliver aircraft to the field at a steady pace. The delivered Su-57 and Su-34 will fall into column soon. Pilots appreciate the Su-34 frontline bomber for its high performance and combat capabilities. The Su-57 fighter is the king of sky and the most perfect vehicle in the tactical aircraft family. It is currently the world’s only aircraft system that has proved the title of a fifth generation fighter. It can effectively engage all types of targets using a wide range of high-precision weapons. Due to its stealth, it can kill the enemy even in conditions of modern foreign air defence countermeasures», said Sergey Chemezov, CEO of Roste? State Corporation. The Su-34 strike fighter is designed to engage ground (surface) and air targets and infrastructure facilities covered by air defence systems and situated at considerable distances from the home airfield. The aircraft can withstand enemy fire and information countermeasures, in day and night time, in favorable and adverse weather conditions. The Su-34 uses unguided and loitering air munitions, and can be also used for air reconnaissance. (Source: ASD Network)
31 Dec 24. Australia completes F-35A Lightning II fleet with final delivery. The F-35A, a multi-role fighter, is designed to execute air-to-air and air-to-surface missions. The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has received the final nine F-35A Lightning II aircraft, rounding out the planned fleet of 72. This delivery, which occurred less than five years after the first two jets landed on Australian soil, is a part of the country’s air defence strategy as per the 2024 National Defence Strategy. The F-35A, a multi-role fighter, is designed to execute air-to-air and air-to-surface missions with its stealth technology, electronic warfare capabilities, and advanced countermeasures. Measuring 15.7m in length and 4.4m in height, the aircraft features electro-optical and infrared sensors, internal weapons and fuel carriage, and more. The latest additions to the fleet are equipped with Technology Refresh 3, paving the way for Block 4 upgrades that are expected to enhance the aircraft’s performance against evolving threats. The 2024-25 Budget boosts defence funding to A$764.6bn ($474.87m)over the next decade, enhancing ADF capability and Australia’s future security. The previous financial year saw acquisition spending of A$16.6bn, with more than half benefiting Australian industry. Sustainment expenditures also supported local industry significantly, with an estimated 79% of the $16.4bn spent domestically.
Defence Industry and Capability Delivery Minister Pat Conroy: “The Albanese Government is delivering the capabilities the ADF needs to make Australians safer and strengthening our sovereign defence industry to deliver jobs and a future made in Australia. It is also important to pay tribute to thousands of uniformed ADF members, members of the Australian public service and workers in the Australian defence industry who all play a vital role in the defence of our nation.”
In September, Australia chose the Joint Strike Missile (JSM) for its active F-35A Lightning II fighters. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
MILITARY AND GOVERNMENT
PERSONNEL
EUROPE APPOINTMENTS
02 Jan 25. Mr David Ashley has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Republic of South Sudan in succession to Mr Guy Warrington.