LOCATIONS
LAND
11 Jun 25. PCI Geomatics (DBA CATALYST), a leading Earth Observation company with over 40 years of experience supporting major players in the space sector, has chosen Scotland’s thriving space ecosystem as part of its continued global expansion. PCI delivers advanced Earth observation image processing solutions and transforms spaceborne sensor data into actionable climate-related intelligence. PCI is focused on supporting critical risk mitigation efforts such as detecting and monitoring critical infrastructure for ground displacement, monitoring “corridor” industries for vegetation encroachment, identifying soil moisture conditions to help prevent catastrophic failures such as landslides with greater accuracy and frequency than traditional methods. PCI’s business aligns strongly with Scotland’s growing reputation in space-enabled applications which is supported by a vibrant ecosystem of more than 30 companies dedicated to observing and protecting Earth from space. PCI recently opened an office at the Future’s Institute in Edinburgh, marking a significant step in its UK expansion alongside its existing presence at the Harwell Space Cluster in England. The company is recruiting for multiple roles in Scotland and across the UK, signalling its commitment to the region. Speaking on the company’s growing Scottish presence, President and CEO June McAlarey stated: “Scotland’s rising profile in the global space economy has been unmistakable. When exploring locations to complement our Canadian headquarters, the UK quickly stood out as a strategic gateway to Europe and the Middle East. We now have a growing team across the UK and are excited to expand our Scottish office in the coming weeks.”
MARITIME
10 Jun 25. Seaspan delivers Canadian Navy’s HMCS Calgary frigate . The DWP supports Navy’s objective to maintain Halifax-class frigates’ operational readiness until their end of service life. The Royal Canadian Navy’s Halifax-class frigate HMCS Calgary has completed its full docking work period (DWP) at Seaspan’s Victoria Shipyard. The extensive refit on the ship was executed as part of the shipyard’s Halifax-class work period (HCWP) contract to maintain and modernise Canada’s West Coast-based Halifax-class frigates. According to Seaspan, HMCS Calgary underwent a series of engineering enhancements, equipment installations, routine and corrective maintenance, and essential dry-docking tasks. The efforts align with the Royal Canadian Navy’s objective to maintain its frigates’ operational readiness and relevance until the end of their service life. The vessel docked at Victoria Shipyards on 9 January 2023, after a six-month phase dedicated to project planning. Over the ensuing 28 months, the project saw contributions from more than 1,000 trades personnel and office staff contributed to the project, culminating in the successful completion of this complex refit, Seaspan said. (Source: naval-technology.com)
06 Jun 25. Naval Group launches HS FORMION frigate for Hellenic Navy. With all three FDI frigates now afloat on the Scorff river, the programme has reached an advanced stage. The Naval Group has launched the Hellenic Navy’s third FDI frigate, HS FORMION, at its shipyard in Lorient, France. This event signifies a crucial step in strengthening the maritime superiority of the Hellenic Navy in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. HS FORMION, weighing 4,500 tonnes (t), is a multipurpose and resilient warship equipped with advanced capabilities for various naval combat scenarios, including anti-submarine, anti-air and anti-ship operations. It also features special forces projection and capabilities against asymmetric threats. The frigate can also accommodate a helicopter and an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) simultaneously, showcasing the collaborative expertise of Thales, MBDA, and other partners. With all three FDI frigates now afloat on the Scorff river, the programme has reached an advanced stage. HS KIMON is currently undergoing sea trials, while HS NEARCHOS is being outfitted in preparation for harbour trials set to commence post-summer. The delivery of the three frigates is scheduled for 2025 and 2026. The current phase of HS KIMON’s sea trials is focused primarily on assessing platform systems such as propulsion and navigation. A second phase is scheduled in the coming weeks and will concentrate on the vessel’s combat systems and endurance at sea. The technical specifications of the FDI frigate include a length of approximately 122 metres (m), a width of 18m, and a maximum speed of 27 knots. Aviation facilities cater to a 10t class helicopter and a VTOL UAV. The main armaments comprise 32 Aster missiles, eight Exocet MM40 B3c missiles, RAM missiles, a 76 mm gun, four torpedo tubes with MU 90 torpedoes, and two decoy launchers with CANTO countermeasures, all developed to enhance the operational capabilities of the Hellenic Navy. (Source: naval-technology.com)
PLANT CLOSURES, STRIKES AND JOB LOSSES
11 Jun 25. Turkey maintains hold on UK warship recycling with HMS Bristol deal. No UK shipyard bid for the recycling contract, with the last Royal Navy surface vessel to be broken up in the UK being HMS Cornwall in 2013. Yet another Royal Navy warship will suffer the same apparently inevitable ending as seen by dozens of its predecessors, with the announcement that former Type 82 destroyer HMS Bristol will be towed more than 3,000 nautical miles for disposal in a Turkish shipyard. According to an 11 June statement by the UK’s Defence Equipment & Support, itself an arm of the Ministry of Defence (MoD), the sale of HMS Bristol had been agreed, with the vessel to be taken to a “specialist recycling facility” within an EU-approved yard in Turkey. (Source: naval-technology.com)
MILITARY AND GOVERNMENT
PERSONNEL
REST OF THE WORLD APPOINTMENTS
09 Jun 25. Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on Sunday replaced two ministers in his government, including the transport minister, who he had previously criticized for delays in infrastructure modernisation. He fired Defence Minister Ruslan Zhaksylykov and replaced him with Zhaksylykov’s deputy and Air Defence Forces chief Dauren Kosanov, according to decrees published on the president’s site. (Source: Reuters)
INDUSTRY
PERSONNEL
EUROPE APPOINTMENTS
10 Jun 25. Forsway, a provider of hybrid/satellite-terrestrial solutions for broadband connectivity, announces the appointment of Stefan Gustafsson to its Board of Directors. Former Chief Strategist at the Swedish Space Corporation, and formerly a top leader of the Swedish armed forces. Gustafsson brings extensive experience from numerous board roles in both the public and private sectors, along with a strong track record in developing and delivering advanced space services on the global market.
07 Jun 25. Former MI5 chief Lord Andrew Parker joins Vertical Aerospace board to support defence and government strategy. Vertical Aerospace has announced the appointment of Lord Andrew Parker to its Board of Directors, effective from 2 June 2025. The move bolsters the company’s leadership in defence, national security, and government affairs. (Source: Google/DIE)
11 Jun 25. UDSS Appoints Marcus Roberts as Special Projects Coordinator. Universal Defence and Security Solutions (UDSS) is pleased to announce the appointment of Marcus Roberts as Special Projects Coordinator. Marcus brings a wealth of leadership, strategic thinking, and operational expertise to this pivotal role, which will support UDSS’s mission to strengthen the UK’s defence sector and global security efforts.
Marcus has built a distinguished career at the intersection of Defence, Industry, and government, marked by his work as a trusted strategic thinker and leader. His experience in the British Army, where he managed complex transformation and cultural change initiatives, and his more recent roles in business development and operational leadership, position him perfectly to drive UDSS’s critical projects forward.