LOCATIONS
LAND
09 Sep 25. New army accommodation under construction at Thorney Island. A major construction project is underway to deliver modern, sustainable Single Living Accommodation (SLA) for army personnel at Baker Barracks, Thorney Island. Ground works have begun on three new SLA blocks at Baker Barracks, which will provide a combined total of 315 en-suite bedspaces: 242 for Junior Ranks, 47 for Senior Non-Commissioned Officers (SNCOs), and 26 for Junior Officers. The modular blocks will be built using Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) designed to achieve exceptional building energy efficiency. Sustainable design features include photovoltaic panels, air source heat pumps and a SMART energy management system, which learns how the building is used so that it runs as efficiently as possible. The project will also deliver over 400 car parking spaces with 20 electric vehicle charging points, increasing parking capacity at the barracks, while further supporting energy efficiency. The project is being delivered under the army’s SLA Programme by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) contracting to off-site construction specialists Reds10. Representatives from the British Army, DIO, Reds10, and Arcadis at the groundbreaking. Crown Copyright. Further investment is planned at Baker Barracks under the army’s Defence Estate Optimisation (DEO) Programme to support 7 Air Defence Group’s operational capability. The major infrastructure upgrade, currently in the critical design phase, includes an extension to the Senior Non-Commissioned Officers’ Mess facility, additional office space, more efficient storage areas and upgraded secure storage. Construction is due to start in Autumn 2026. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
MARITIME
08 Sep 25. BMT, a leading international multi-disciplinary engineering and ship design consultancy, has unveiled ELLIDA® STRIKE – a forward-looking conceptual design of what a future multi-role strike ship could offer the UK Royal Navy. BMT’s ELLIDA® STRIKE has been developed to align with the Royal Navy’s future amphibious fleet recapitalisation, aiming to replace ageing ships with a new generation of versatile and adaptable vessels. Created to explore many facets of next-generation littoral strike design – while drawing on aspects of the evolving MRSS programme but not representing a specific solution – the concept demonstrates how modern design principles can address complex operational requirements across missions ranging from humanitarian aid to high-end warfighting. Reflecting on lessons from recent defence reviews and the Royal Navy’s detailed MRSS requirements, ELLIDA® STRIKE emphasises scalable capability, modularity and the integration of advanced technologies such as uncrewed systems and flexible well dock operations. The vessel has been designed for operation, with careful consideration of rapid personnel flow and human factors efficiency. This approach resonates with the Navy’s ambition for platforms that support dispersed, forward-deployed commando forces, robust crisis response and seamless adaptation to emerging threats and operational contexts.
“Having once commanded a ship of this class, I can say with confidence that ELLIDA® STRIKE is the kind of platform every naval officer would want under their command,” said Tim Neild CBE, Head of Business Development, UK & Europe at BMT. “It’s engineered for mission success and reflects our commitment to supporting the Royal Navy’s future amphibious ambitions.”
Design philosophy
ELLIDA® STRIKE is designed from the keel up to reflect uncompromising naval standards and optimal operational flow. While not a direct answer to the anticipated MRSS specification, it showcases design elements that are relevant and demonstrates the full range of capabilities which would protect the vessel in demanding conditions and support a wide range of missions. The concept prioritises efficient construction and real-world operability, offering a credible vision of what a future amphibious platform could look like.
“Every line of this ship has been drawn with purpose,” said Andy Kimber, BMT’s Chief Naval Architect. “From propulsion to topside arrangement, ELLIDA® STRIKE is engineered to deliver mission success in any theatre.”
Key features of the ELLIDA® STRIKE design
The ELLIDA® STRIKE concept is designed around modularity, enabling rapid reconfiguration for mission-specific roles such as medical support, command and control, logistics or combat readiness through containerised PODS. Its strike capability integrates long-range precision missile systems, enhancing fleet lethality and operational reach. The ship supports combined air manoeuvre operations, capable of launching and recovering both crewed and uncrewed rotary platforms, which adds flexibility and redundancy to mission planning.
A welldeck facilitates efficient launch and recovery of landing craft and autonomous vessels, vital for amphibious assaults and humanitarian missions. At its core, ELLIDA® STRIKE features a robust digital backbone that enhances connectivity and supports advanced command and control systems. The design also prioritises human-centric principles, with ergonomic layouts that improve onboard living and working conditions, ultimately boosting crew well-being and mission performance.
A platform for dialogue
“Whilst ELLIDA® STRIKE is not the final answer, it’s a strong foundation for further development”, says Neild. “It invites discussion, collaboration and refinement. As the Royal Navy continues to shape its requirements, we stand ready to adapt and evolve our design to meet the needs of tomorrow’s operations. This concept represents a capability-led approach to design – showcasing what’s possible and demonstrating that BMT has both the expertise and the openness to partner as requirements mature.”
Visitors to DSEI 2025 in London (9–12 September) will be the first to see the digitised marine scale model of ELLIDA® STRIKE – the latest evolution in BMT’s proprietary‑designed ELLIDA® multi‑role platform family. The interactive model offers a detailed view of the vessel’s layout, demonstrating movement and design tailored to customer requirements. Drawing on the heritage of the ELLIDA® family, this debut at DSEI provides an engaging, hands‑on showcase – and an immersive glimpse into the future of UK littoral strike capability.
SEE US AT DSEI 2025, STAND S11-120
MILITARY AND GOVERNMENT
PERSONNEL
08 Sep 25. Over 50,000 jobs estimated if UK spends 3 percent on defence. The UK defence industry could create 50,000 additional jobs by 2035 if government spending rises to 3% of GDP, according to new analysis released by trade body ADS. Employment in the sector already stands at more than 180,000, with most jobs outside the South East and paying above-average salaries. The ADS modelling suggests that a long-term uplift to 3% of GDP would not only expand the workforce but also raise the sector’s gross value added to the economy from £15bn in 2024 to £23.5 billion in 2035, an increase of over 50%. If commitments rise further to 3.5% of GDP, ADS forecasts the creation of 85,000 direct jobs in defence.
Kevin Craven, CEO of ADS, said the figures demonstrate both security and economic value. “The primary purpose of defence and security is to protect and deter – but in the process, the value we provide to the economy is increasingly critical to innovation and prosperity,” he said. “With a deteriorating security environment, the government’s acknowledgement of the need to immediately bolster our defence is hugely welcome. An increase in spending of this magnitude delivers on the long-term demand signal that helps the defence sector to do what we do best: deliver capabilities that are needed to uphold our security, in a way that delivers value for money to the citizens we are here to protect.”
He also argued that the sector’s contribution to society is often overlooked. “While the cost of living rises and societal pressures increase, it’s right that we are raising awareness of the good that we, as a sector, provide for the UK tangibly for citizens,” Craven said.
“Our sector drives social mobility and prosperity through the high proportion of jobs we offer people from all walks of life, through the international opportunities and high-tech development partnerships we build, and through the wide range of improvements to civilian life and everyday technology that originate in our sector.”
The findings come ahead of the launch of the government’s new Defence Industrial Strategy, expected to be announced on 8 September. ADS, which represents more than 1,600 companies in aerospace, defence, security and space, said the data was shared with officials before the strategy’s release. The trade body notes that growth would be driven by the combination of higher defence spending, rising exports, and broader economic expansion, with the UK continuing to exceed NATO spending targets. (Source: ukdefencejournal.org.uk/)
EUROPE APPOINTMENTS
06 Sep 25. The King has been pleased to approve the following appointments:
- Rt Hon David Lammy MP as Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice. He will also be Deputy Prime Minister
- Rt Hon Darren Jones MP as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. He will remain Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister
- Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP as Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs
- Rt Hon Shabana Mahmood MP as Secretary of State for the Home Department
- Rt Hon Steve Reed OBE MP as Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government
- Rt Hon Pat McFadden MP as Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
- Rt Hon Peter Kyle MP as Secretary of State for Business and Trade and President of the Board of Trade
- Rt Hon Liz Kendall MP as Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology
- Emma Reynolds MP as Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
- Rt Hon Douglas Alexander MP as Secretary of State for Scotland
- Rt Hon Jonathan Reynolds MP as Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury (Chief Whip). He is a member of Cabinet
- Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP as Lord President of the Council, and Leader of the House of Commons. He will attend Cabinet
Rt Hon Angela Rayner MP, Rt Hon Lucy Powell MP and Rt Hon Ian Murray MP have left the Government.
- Jason Stockwood as Minister of State (Minister for Investment) jointly in the Department for Business and Trade and HM Treasury
- Dan Jarvis MP as Minister of State in the Cabinet Office. He will remain Minister of State for the Home Department
- Rt Hon Baroness Smith of Malvern as Minister of State (Minister for Skills) in the Department for Work and Pensions. She will remain Minister of State (Minister for Skills and Minister for Women and Equalities) in the Department for Education
- Lord Vallance KCB as Minister of State in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. He will remain Minister of State in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
- Michael Shanks MP as Minister of State jointly in the Department for Business and Trade and Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
- Alison McGovern MP as Minister of State in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
- Dame Angela Eagle DBE MP as Minister of State in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
- Rt Hon Dame Diana Johnson DBE MP as Minister of State in the Department for Work and Pensions
- Sarah Jones MP as Minister of State for the Home Department
His Majesty has also been pleased to signify His intention of conferring a Peerage of the United Kingdom for Life on Jason Stockwood.
Baroness Gustafsson CBE, Jim McMahon MP, and Daniel Zeichner MP have left the Government.
08 Sep 25. Mr Simon Wood has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in succession to Dr David Ellis OBE, who will be retiring from the Diplomatic Service. Mr Wood is taking up his appointment during September 2025.
U.S. APPOINTMENTS
05 Sep 25. USN Vice Adm. Richard A. Correll for appointment to the grade of admiral, with assignment as commander, U.S. Strategic Command, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. Correll is currently serving as deputy commander, U.S. Strategic Command, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska.
05 Sep 25. USN Vice Adm. George M. Wikoff for appointment to the grade of admiral, with assignment as commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe/commander, U.S. Naval Forces Africa/commander, Allied Joint Forces Command Naples, Naples, Italy. Wikoff is currently serving as commander, U.S. Naval Forces, Central Command/Commander, Fifth Fleet and Commander, Combined Maritime Forces, Manama, Bahrain.
05 Sep 25. USN Rear Adm. Heidi K. Berg for appointment to the grade of vice admiral, with assignment as commander, Fleet Cyber Command/commander, Tenth Fleet/commander, USN Space Command, Fort Meade, Maryland. Berg is currently serving as deputy commander, Fleet Cyber Command/deputy commander, Tenth Fleet/deputy commander, USN Space Command, Fort Meade, Maryland.
05 Sep 25. USN Rear Adm. (lower half) Brad J. Collins for appointment to the grade of rear admiral. Collins is currently serving as commander, 05 Sep 25. USN Region Hawaii, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
05 Sep 25. USMC Lt. Gen. Bradford J. Gering for appointment to the grade of general, with assignment as assistant commandant of the USMC, Pentagon, Washington, D.C. Gering is currently serving as deputy commandant for Aviation, Headquarters, U.S. USMC, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
05 Sep 25. Army Lt. Gen. Jonathan P. Braga for appointment to the grade of lieutenant general, with assignment as commander, Joint Special Operations Command, U.S. Special Operations Command, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Braga is currently serving as commanding general, U.S. Army Special Operations Command, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
05 Sep 25. Army Lt. Gen. Michele H. Bredenkamp for appointment to the grade of lieutenant general, with assignment as director, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Bredenkamp is currently serving as director’s advisor for Military Affairs, Office of the Director of National Intelligence, Washington, D.C.
05 Sep 25. USSF Lt. Gen. David N. Miller, Jr. for appointment to the grade of lieutenant general with assignment as deputy chief of Space Operations for Strategy, Plans, Programs, and Requirements, U.S. USSF, Pentagon, Washington, D.C. Miller is currently serving as commander, Space Operations Command, Peterson USSF Base, Colorado.
05 Sep 25. USSF Lt. Gen. Douglas A. Schiess for appointment to the grade of lieutenant general, with assignment as deputy chief of Space Operations for Operations, Headquarters, U.S. USSF, Pentagon, Washington, D.C. Schiess is currently serving as commander, U.S. USSFs – Space/Combined Joint Force Space Component Commander, U.S. USSF, Vandenberg USSF Base, California.
05 Sep 25. Army MG Winston P. Brooks for appointment to the grade of lieutenant general, with assignment as deputy chairman, NATO Military Committee, Belgium. Brooks served as commanding general, U.S. Army Fires Center of Excellence and Fort Sill, Fort Sill, Oklahoma.
05 Sep 25. USMC MG Joseph R. Clearfield for appointment to the grade of lieutenant general, with assignment as commander, U.S. USMC Forces Central Command, Tampa, Florida. Clearfield is currently serving as the deputy commander, U.S. USMC Forces Central Command, Tampa, Florida.
05 Sep 25. USSF MG Gregory J. Gagnon for appointment to the grade of lieutenant general, with assignment as commander, U.S. USSF Combat Forces Command, Peterson USSF Base, Colorado. Gagnon is currently serving as deputy chief of Space Operations for Intelligence, U.S. USSF, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
05 Sep 25. Army MG Joseph E. Hilbert for appointment to the grade of lieutenant general, with assignment as commanding general, Eighth Army/chief of staff, Combined Forces Command, Republic of Korea. Hilbert is currently serving as commanding general, 11th Airborne Division and U.S. Army Alaska, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska.
05 Sep 25. Army MG James M. Smith for appointment to the grade of lieutenant general, with assignment as commanding general, Installation Management Command, Joint Base San Antonio, Texas. Smith is currently serving as deputy commanding general, Installation Management Command, Joint Base San Antonio, Texas.
05 Sep 25. USMC MG William H. Swan for appointment to the grade of lieutenant general, with assignment as deputy commandant, Aviation, Headquarters, U.S. USMC, Pentagon, Washington, D.C. Swan is currently serving as the inspector general, Headquarters, U.S. USMC, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
05 Sep 25. USSF MG Steven P. Whitney for appointment to the grade of lieutenant general with assignment as director, Force Structure, Resources and Assessment, J-8, Joint Staff, Pentagon, Washington, D.C. Whitney is currently serving as director of Staff, Headquarters, U.S. USSF, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
05 Sep 25. USAF Col. Roderick T. Grunwald for appointment to the grade of brigadier general. Grunwald is currently serving as mobilization assistant to Commander, Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia.
REST OF THE WORLD APPOINTMENTS
08 Sep 25. Thai Government Appointments. Royal Decree Announces Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul as Prime Minister and Military Reshuffle Across Armed Forces. Thailand has unveiled its latest leadership following royal endorsement and confirmation of parliamentary support. Anutin Charnvirakul, a seasoned politician and leader of the Bhumjaithai Party, has been appointed as Thailand’s new Prime Minister on 7th September 2025, replacing Paetongtarn Shinawatra. Alongside this political transition, a military reshuffle has also been announced, affecting the Three Armed Forces from, the Royal Thai Armed Forces, and the Office of the Permanent Secretary for Defence. The shake-up reflects the nation’s strategic priority of modernizing its defense capabilities, with key promotions placing senior officers in pivotal roles starts from 1st October 2025, within the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
The Office of the Permanent Secretary for Defence
- General Tharapong Malakham as Permanent Secretary for Defence
- General Saran Phetcharanon as Deputy Permanent Secretary for Defence
- General Wasu Jiemsuk as Deputy Permanent Secretary for Defence
- Admiral Nuttapol Diewvanich as Deputy Permanent Secretary for Defence
- Air Chief Marshal Suchart Thepparak as Deputy Permanent Secretary for Defence
- Lieutenant General Sura Saiubon as Director-General of Office of Policy and Planning
- Lieutenant General Siphan Bhanavavatana as Director-General of Defence Industry and Energy Centre
Royal Thai Armed Forces
- General Ukris Boontanondha as Chief of Defence Forces
- General Noppadol Pinthong as Deputy Chief of Defence Forces
- General Paiboon Worawanpreecha as Deputy Chief of Defence Forces
- Admiral Pichit Srirungruang as Deputy Chief of Defence Forces
- Air Chief Marshal Sakesan Chaimart as Deputy Chief of Defence Forces
- General Chidchanok Nuchaya as Chief of Joint Staff
- Air Marshal Pitoon Jaroenying as Deputy Chief of Joint Staff
- Lieutenant General Nuttapong Praokaew as Deputy Chief of Joint Staff
- Lieutenant General Kittipong Chuenjaichon as Deputy Chief of Joint Staff
- Vice Admiral Suwat Donsakul as Deputy Chief of Joint Staff
Royal Thai Army
- General Chitsanupong Rodsiri as Deputy Chief of Army
- General Sarnti Sakuntanark as Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Army
- Lieutenant General Amarit Boonsuya as Assistant Chief of Army
- Lieutenant General Narongrit Kumpeera as Assistant Chief of Army
- Lieutenant General Chaiyapruek Duangprapat as Chief of Staff of the Army
Royal Thai Navy
- Admiral Pairoj Fuangchan as Chief of Navy
- Admiral Suchart Thampitakvech as Deputy Chief of Navy
- Admiral Sanoe Ngernsalung as President of Advisory Group of the Navy
- Vice Admiral Nares Wongtrakul as Assistant Chief of Navy
- Vice Admiral Thadawut Tadpitakkul as Chief of Staff of the Navy
- Vice Admiral Korawit Chayarathi as Chief of Royal Thai Fleet
Royal Thai Air Force
- Air Chief Marshal Seksan Kantha as Chief of Air Force
- Air Chief Marshal Waipoj Kerngfarg as Deputy Chief of Air Force
- Air Chief Marshal Sanphachai Silanil as Chairman of the RTAF Advisory Board
- Air Chief Marshal Wachirapon Muangnoi as Assistant Chief of Air Force
- Air Marshal Prapas Sornchaidee as Assistant Chief of Air Force
- Air Marshal Anurak Romnarak as Chief of Air Staff