VACANCIES
25 Jun 25. Join the Future Combat Air System programme at Dstl. Play a pivotal role in safeguarding the UK’s future and shape the next generation of combat air technology, by joining the FCAS programme. The Future Combat Air System (FCAS) encompasses a series of highly integrated and aligned programmes and military capabilities. This system will have a crewed aircraft at its heart. It will network and collaborate with a range of wider air and broader domain capabilities, including F-35, and use information systems, weapons and uncrewed collaborative combat air platforms to complete the capability.
Be part of a joint international programme
The Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) is a trilateral acquisition programme launched with Japan and Italy to develop the core platform (aircraft) which will be at the heart of the UK’s and our partners’ future Combat Air systems. This joint international programme is a jointly funded and delivered international programme to develop and deliver a new fighter aircraft. To put this challenge into context, when the current UK constructed fast jet, the Eurofighter (a fourth generation type) was being designed in the 1980s, the European car of the year was the Ford Escort. Our other current fast jet, the US-Built F-35 Lightning II (a fifth generation type) was designed in the 1990s, when the Fordo Mondeo was car of the year. The F-35 though has been described as a ‘Flying Software Testbed’ with significant PE and approximately 8 m lines of code.
What’s at the core of FCAS and GCAP
Programmable Elements (PE), especially software, are at the heart of FCAS and GCAP. The ability to perform frequent, sometimes rapid, software updates is also a critical part of achieving and sustaining operational effectiveness.
What the MOD PE team do
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) PE team has wide ranging responsibility, covering:
- artificial intelligence (AI) and data
- applications
- operating systems
- virtualisation
- complex electronic hardware
Working with industry and international partner governments, they also strive to create and promote the environment in which quality PE are effectively delivered at pace. Be part of building the sixth generation fast jet GCAP will be a sixth generation fast jet, which will build on fifth generation properties, such as, low observability and systems integration, adding autonomy, but the key will be fast adaptability. And the only way to achieve this is through its PE quality to do so.
If you are interested in a challenging opportunity to use your PE skills to benefit one of the MOD’s highest priority acquisition programs and help get the UK’s next manned and unmanned fast jets flying safely and securely, we want to hear from you. As part of the FCAS team, you’ll contribute to one of the most complex and fast-paced acquisition defence programmes to date. With the groundbreaking GCAP collaboration between the UK, Japan, and Italy, this initiative is set to deliver the state-of-the-art fighter jet, Tempest, by 2035. This is an unparalleled opportunity to be part of a programme that is revolutionizing the UK’s combat air industry, supporting national security and economic growth. You’ll work at the cutting edge of technology, surrounded by a passionate team committed to excellence.
Apply to work for the (FCAS) programme
We will keep this page updated and add links when roles are available to apply for.
Sensing, Communications and Non-Kinetic Effects
1 x Positioning & Timing Scientists & Engineers, L6
Software
1 x Deputy Chief Technologist, L7
1 x Complex Electronic Hardware Lead, L7
1 x Software Delivery Pipelines Lead, L6
1 x Complex Electronic Hardware (CEH) Specialist L6
2 x Software Engineers, L5
Mission Systems (inc. Cockpit)
1 x Aircrews Systems Engineer, L6
Benefits of working at Dstl
As well as a rewarding career in defence science and technology, the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) offers a wide range of benefits and training opportunities in a supportive, encouraging and flexible environment. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
LOCATIONS
LAND
23 Jun 25. Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) opened a new 100,000 square foot integration facility to scale the delivery of ground system capabilities that deliver mission-critical data to American and allied warfighters. Fixed and mobile ground system technology solutions enable warfighter missions at the tactical edge, where forces operate in challenging environments, often facing limited connectivity while still relying on the right information at the right time to make the right decisions rapidly, with resiliency in any mission. These capabilities support space surveillance, missile warning and defense, satellite operations and data processing in operational environments, anywhere at any time.
“Northrop Grumman’s Highfield Integration Facility adds to our existing one m square feet of Colorado infrastructure and further enables our production of innovative ground systems that provide the Department of Defense and intelligence communities with any data, at any place, at any time, for any mission,” said Murali Krishnan, vice president, payload and ground systems, Northrop Grumman. “This is another proof point in how the company continues to scale facilities across the U.S. to drive innovation at unprecedented speeds.”
MARITIME
25 Jun 25. A cutting-edge new ship build hall transforming shipbuilding on the Clyde has officially opened at BAE Systems’ shipyard in Glasgow. Named in honour of one of the many women who stepped into vital industrial roles during the Second World War, the opening ceremony of the Janet Harvey Hall in Govan paid tribute to the past and outlined the exciting future the multi-million-pound investment heralds for the city. At the end of the ceremony, Janet’s nieces joined the Lord Provost to cut the ribbon across the towering hall door – a symbolic gesture officially opening the facility and marking a new era for shipbuilding in Scotland. The hall has capacity for two Type 26 frigates to be constructed side-by-side, the hall measures 170m long and 80m wide, with two 100-tonne cranes and a further two 20-tonne cranes inside. Currently, HMS Belfast and HMS Birmingham are being built in the hall, HMS Glasgow and HMS Cardiff are being outfitted at BAE Systems’ Scotstoun site further up the River Clyde and steel has been cut on HMS Sheffield.
Simon Lister, Managing Director of BAE Systems’ Naval Ships business, said: “The Janet Harvey Hall marks a major step forward for shipbuilding in Glasgow and will help enable efficient and safe shipbuilding for decades to come. It’s a symbol of pride not just for our skilled workforce who bring these ships to life, but for the entire city.”
Designed to accommodate up to 500 workers per shift, this new facility will boost BAE Systems’ shipbuilding capacity, enabling warships to be built in Glasgow fully undercover for the first time, ensuring that work is unaffected by adverse weather. The hall, which will help improve schedule performance and reduce the time between ship deliveries, forms a central part of the £300m modernisation and digitalisation of BAE Systems’ facilities in Glasgow, playing a vital role in the delivery of eight Type 26 frigates for the Royal Navy.
Stephen Charlick, MOD DE&S Type 26 Resident Project Officer, said: “Protecting the United Kingdom and its interests from evolving global threats requires state-of-the-art vessels like the Type 26 frigate and the investment by our industry partner, BAE Systems, underscores the commitment to equipping our armed forces.
“The Janet Harvey Hall brings an improved approach to warship assembly and outfit, driving quality throughout the build, and this approach supports regular delivery of vessels in line with the Royal Navy need.”
- Each Type 26 will be equipped with a range of capabilities including the Sea Ceptor missile defence system, a five-inch medium calibre gun, flexible mission bay, Artisan 997 Medium Range Radar, powerful bow and towed array sonars and a vertical launch silo capable of hosting a variety of weapons.
- The Commonwealths of Australia and Canada have selected the Type 26 reference design, which together with the UK, provides the basis for an anticipated 29-ship programme across the three nations. Sharing build and transition into service lessons across all three programmes will benefit all parties in this multinational effort.
- The Type 26 is also one of the platforms under consideration for Norway’s new frigate programme, with BAE Systems shortlisted to provide the design for the Royal Norwegian Navy’s replacement for its Fridtjof Nansen-class frigates.
20 Jun 25. MHI delivers eighth Mogami-class destroyer to Japan. The 3,900t destroyer was christened and launched in November 2023 at the shipbuilder’s Tamano yard. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Maritime Systems has delivered the 3,900 tonne Mogami-class destroyer, the JS Yubetsu, to the Japanese Ministry of Defence. The handover was completed at the shipbuilder’s Tamano yard in Okayama. The event marked the delivery of the second vessel of its class from this location, with “Kumano” being the prior delivery. The JS Yubetsu is the eighth Mogami-class vessel to join the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force fleet. The previously delivered ships under the class are JS Mogami, Kumano, Noshiro, Mikuma, Yahagi, Agano, and Niyodo. The JS Yubetsu destroyer was contracted by the Ministry of Defense in fiscal year 2021. The ground-breaking was held on 30 August 2022. The ship was christened and launched in November 2023. It is named after Yubetsu River in Hokkaido. In 2023, the company said that the ship was slated for handover in fiscal year 2024. At that time, the company was working on a comprehensive outfitting that encompassed hull work as well as installation and testing of engines, electrical systems, and armaments. Measuring 133 metres (m) in length, 16.3m in width, and 9m depth, the destroyer can reach a maximum speed of approximately 30 knots. It is powered by one gas turbine and two diesel engines and is equipped with advanced weapon systems, including a 5in 62 calibre gun, one SeaRAM, two SSM devices, an anti-submarine system, a mine countermeasure system, and a vertical launcher. In June 2022, MHI launched the fifth Mogami-class multi-role frigate, named Yahagi. Furthermore, the fourth frigate ‘Mikuma’ was launched in December 2021. The name ‘Mikuma’ is inspired by the Mikuma River in Oita Prefecture, Kyushu, Japan. In November 2024, the Australian Government downselected Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries as finalists for its future general purpose frigates (GPF). Thyssenkrupp proposed the Meko A-200 design, while Mitsubishi offered the Mogami future frigate multirole (FFM) platform.
AIR
24 Jun 25. Indian Air Force to receive six Tejas aircraft by March 2026. Tejas is single-engine fighter jets, suitable for air defence, maritime reconnaissance, and various strike missions. HAL is responsible for the production of these single-engine fighter jets, which are suitable for air defence, maritime reconnaissance, and various strike missions. In a conversation with PTI Videos, Sunil revealed that the delay in deliveries is due to GE Aerospace not meeting their engine supply deadline. “Unfortunately, in the case of LCA Mark 1A, we have built the aircraft. As of today, we have six aircraft lined up. But the engine deliveries have not happened from GE Aerospace. They were to deliver the engines in 2023. Till date, we have got only one engine,” he said. Air Chief Marshal A P Singh has expressed his concerns regarding the delay in the F404 engines, which has affected the production timeline for HAL’s Tejas Mk-1A jets. The production issues at GE Aerospace started during the Covid pandemic and were exacerbated by the departure of key engineers, leading to supply chain challenges.
Sunil added: “Every company goes through its fair share of criticisms. It does happen. I can assure you that as of today, six aircraft are ready. There is no let-up from our side. We are building those aircraft and getting them ready and we will be in a position to deliver (by this fiscal).”
HAL will move forward with the jet deliveries as GE Aerospace is anticipated to deliver 12 engines within the current financial year. The Indian aircraft manufacturer aims to manufacture 16 Tejas Mk-1A jets in the next year. In February 2021, HAL signed contract worth Rs 480bn ($5.5bn) with the Indian Defence Ministry for 83 Tejas Mk-1A jets. Additionally, plans are underway to procure another 97 aircraft for roughly Rs670bn. Domestically produced Tejas jets will replace IAF’s MiG-21 fighters. In December 2024, the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) and HAL formalised an agreement for the acquisition of 12 Su-30MKI aircraft with related systems. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
23 Jun 25. Somalia receives T-129 attack helicopters from Turkey. Somalia has taken delivery of three T-129 attack helicopters from Turkey as part of growing Turkish support for the East African country’s military. Three T-129 Atak helicopters arrived in Somalia in the first week of June, along with two unnamed utility helicopters for the Somali navy as part of a defence agreement signed between the two nations in February 2024, which allowed Turkey to establish a naval presence in Mogadishu. Six Turkish A400M Atlas and a single Qatari C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft were observed flying into Mogadishu in the first week of June in what are believed to be the delivery flights. Turkey has apparently been training Somali pilots to operate the T-129s for the last year. Soon after arriving in Somalia, the T-129s were apparently used to strike al Shabaab targets, giving the Somali military a precision strike capability. The aircraft have been seen flying over Mogadishu and other areas of the country.
“The delivery of the Atak helicopters to Somalia is an indication that Ankara is not only aiming to transfer weapons but also to build up an integrated war capacity for Somalia,” a source told Türkiye Today.
The T-129 Atak is based on the Agusta A129 Mangusta but features Turkish-developed avionics, mission software, and weapons systems. The T129 is powered by two LHTEC CTS800-4A engines and equipped with a 20 mm three-barrel rotary cannon. It can carry missiles such as the Roketsan UMTAS anti-tank missile and CIRIT 70 mm laser-guided missiles. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud that Turkey’s support to Somalia in counter-terrorism efforts would continue and be further expanded, according to a statement released by the Turkish presidency. Al Shabaab has stepped up its activities in recent months, with the stated aim of toppling the Somali government. Turkey has some 500 troops in Somalia as part of efforts to support the Somali military. Several Turkish Bayraktar TB2 and Akinci unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are used in support of Turkish and Somali forces. At least two Akinci UAVs were delivered in March while TB2s have been in service with the Somali National Army since 2022 and been used against al Shabaab. Turkey continues to strengthen its role in Somalia, recently signing an energy exploration agreement with the country. It has trained thousands of Somali troops and aims to train a third of the country’s military forces. (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)
MILITARY AND GOVERNMENT
PERSONNEL
EUROPE APPOINTMENTS
27 Jun 25. His Majesty The King has approved the appointment of Air Chief Marshal Sir Rich Knighton KCB ADC FREng to take over from Admiral Sir Tony Radakin KCB ADC as the next Chief of the Defence Staff, with effect from September 2025.
27 Jun 25. Ms Helen Fazey has been appointed the United Kingdom Ambassador to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Jakarta, in succession to Ms Sarah Tiffin.
20 Jun 25. Ms Alicia Herbert OBE has been appointed British High Commissioner to Jamaica in succession to Ms Judith Slater. Ms Herbert will take up her appointment during September 2025.
U.S. APPOINTMENTS
26 Jun 25. Army LG Thomas M. Carden Jr. for appointment to the grade of general, with assignment as vice chief of the National Guard Bureau, Arlington, Virginia. Carden currently serves as deputy commander, U.S. Northern Command, Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado.
26 Jun 25. Army MG Bobby L. Christine for appointment as judge advocate general, U.S. Army, Pentagon, Washington, D.C. Christine currently serves as general counsel, National Guard Bureau, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
24 Jun 25. David J. Bligh for appointment as judge advocate general of the Navy. Bligh is currently serving as the staff judge advocate to the Commandant of the Marine Corps, Headquarters, Marine Corps, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
20 Jun 25. USMC Gen. Christopher J. Mahoney for reappointment to the grade of general, with assignment as vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Pentagon, Washington, D.C. Mahoney is currently serving as assistant commandant of the Marine Corps, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
20 Jun 25. USMC LG Gregory L. Masiello for reappointment to the grade of lieutenant general, with assignment as director, Joint Strike Fighter Program, Office of the Secretary of Defense, Pentagon, Washington, D.C. Masiello is currently serving as director, Defense Contract Management Agency, Fort Lee, Virginia.
20 Jun 25. USMC LG Benjamin T. Watson for reappointment to the grade of lieutenant general, with assignment as deputy commandant, Training and Education and commanding general, Training and Education Command, Quantico, Virginia. Watson is currently serving as commanding general, Training and Education Command, Quantico, Virginia.
20 Jun 25. USMC MG Jay M. Bargeron for appointment to the grade of lieutenant general, with assignment as deputy commandant for Plans, Policies, and Operations, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, Pentagon, Washington, D.C. Bargeron is currently serving as director, J-5, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, Hawaii.
20 Jun 25. USMC MG William J. Bowers for appointment to the grade of lieutenant general, with assignment as deputy commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, Quantico, Virginia. Bowers is currently serving as commanding general, USMCRecruiting Command, Quantico, Virginia.
20 Jun 25. USMC MG Stephen E. Liszewski for appointment to the grade of lieutenant general, with assignment as director, Joint Force Development, J-7, Joint Staff, Pentagon, Washington, D.C. Liszewski is currently serving as vice director, Joint Staff, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
20 Jun 25. USMC MG David L. Odom for appointment to the grade of lieutenant general, with assignment as director for operations, J-3, Joint Staff, Pentagon, Washington, D.C. Odom is currently serving as director, Joint Capabilities Integration Directorate, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, Quantico, Virginia.
INDUSTRY
PERSONNEL
EUROPE APPOINTMENTS
26 Jun 25. Steen Hommel, former State Secretary and COO at the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will join Terma as Executive Vice President for Public Affairs, Communication and Partnerships on 1 August 2025, bringing decades of diplomatic and strategic experience to strengthen the company’s external engagement amid growing geopolitical complexity. The appointment reflects Terma’s ambition to strengthen its ability to navigate a more complex geopolitical and commercial environment. The role covers responsibility for public affairs, external communication, and strategic partnerships.
U.S. APPOINTMENTS
20 Jun 25. Allient Inc. (Nasdaq: ALNT) (“Allient” or the “Company”), a global designer and manufacturer of speciality Motion, Controls and Power products and solutions for targeted industries and applications, is pleased to announce the appointment of Greg Kraus as Director of Strategic Operations for its Allient Defense Solutions (ADS) business unit.
26 Jun 25. Boeing has hired a former Northrop Grumman executive, Steve Sullivan, to lead its Air Force One program, according to two people briefed on the matter. Sullivan, who previously worked on key Northrop programs including the B-21 bomber, replaces Gregg Coffey, who is moving to another role at the U.S. planemaker. (Source: Reuters)
REST OF THE WORLD APPOINTMENTS
26 Jun 25. Calian® Group Ltd. (TSX: CGY), a mission-solutions company focused on defence, space, healthcare and strategic growth critical infrastructure sectors, today announced that Chris Pogue will join the company as President, Defence & Space, effective July 7, 2025. In this newly created role, Pogue will lead a high-performance organization that brings together Calian’s Advanced Technologies and Learning business units—leveraging the synergies of its communications and manufacturing solutions alongside its immersive training and simulation expertise to accelerate mission success for defence and space customers alike.
23 Jun 25. Serobe asks to leave as Denel board chair. Now ex-Denel chair Gloria Serobe and Minister Angie Motshekga at a March 2025 “strategic migration” meeting ahead of Denel officially moving to Motshekga’s Cabinet portfolio. Denel chair Gloria Serobe has asked to be released from her duties, bringing to an end the current term of office of the defence and technology conglomerate’s board of directors, according to trade union Solidarity. (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)