LOCATIONS
LAND
18 Dec 25. Saab UK has opened a new site in South West England dedicated to its Training & Simulation business unit. This expansion strengthens Saab’s ability to deliver advanced training solutions to the British Army. The new facility will serve as a hub for cutting-edge training technologies and services, enabling the British Army to maintain operational readiness through realistic and immersive training environments. With this addition, Saab UK now operates five Training & Simulation locations across the UK, and one in Germany. For 30 years, Saab has worked closely with the UK Ministry of Defence and the British Army to deliver innovative training systems – from soldier-level solutions to multi-domain exercises – ensuring forces are prepared for the complexities of modern warfare.
Andy Fraser, Group Managing Director at Saab UK, said: “This new site demonstrates our commitment to supporting the British Army with innovative training capabilities and investing in the UK. For over three decades, we have worked together to ensure soldiers are prepared for the demands of modern operations, and this expansion also brings new opportunities for local employment and economic growth.”
Previous developments include a £20M contract amendment to support British Army live training announced in 2024, using Saab’s latest high-fidelity simulation technology and interoperability standards. This investment reflects Saab’s ongoing growth in the UK and its role in strengthening national defence capabilities.
MARITIME
16 Dec 25. US Navy takes delivery of new Virginia-class submarine USS Idaho. The submarine and crew will complete further tests and trials before commissioning, which is expected in early 2026. The US Navy has received its latest Virginia-class fast attack submarine, the future USS Idaho, from General Dynamics Electric Boat (GDEB). The handover took place on 15 December and marks the second Virginia-class submarine delivery to the Navy this year. Last month, HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding division delivered Massachusetts, another submarine of the same class, to the US Navy. The delivery marks the submarine’s formal handover from the shipbuilder to the Navy. Before entering active service, the submarine and its crew will continue with further testing and trials. Commissioning is expected early next year. The US Navy named the vessel the future USS Idaho at a christening ceremony on 16 March last year at General Dynamics Electric Boat in Groton, Connecticut. The submarine was subsequently launched in August the same year.
Virginia-class submarine programme manager captain Mike Hollenbach said: “Idaho represents the hard work and tenacity of shipbuilders, industry partners and navy personnel to deliver the best undersea warfighting platform to the fleet. With each delivery, the navy reinforces our nation’s superiority in the maritime domain.”
USS Idaho is the 26th Virginia-class submarine constructed jointly by GDEB and HII-Newport News Shipbuilding. It is also the 14th vessel of this class delivered by GDEB and is part of the Block IV group, which consists of ten submarines in total. When commissioned, USS Idaho will become the fifth US Navy ship named after the state of Idaho. Previous ships bearing the name include a wooden-hulled storeship launched in 1866 and battleship BB 42, which was commissioned in 1919 and earned seven battle stars during World War II. The Virginia-class submarines are built with features designed to meet multiple mission requirements for the US Navy, including stealth capabilities, advanced surveillance systems, and special warfare functionality. The hull measures 377ft in length, has a beam of 34ft, and a submerged displacement of 7,300 tonnes. The Virginia-class submarine is equipped with 12 vertical missile launch tubes and four 533mm torpedo tubes. Its vertical launching system can fire up to 16 Tomahawk submarine-launched cruise missiles in one salvo. (Source: naval-technology.com)
MILITARY AND GOVERNMENT
PERSONNEL
EUROPE APPOINTMENTS
16 Dec 25. Lieutenant General Sir Rob Magowan appointed new Commander of Cyber & Specialist Operations Command. The Defence Secretary John Healey has confirmed that His Majesty The King has approved the appointment of the new Commander of Cyber & Specialist Operations Command (CSOC). Lieutenant General Sir Rob Magowan will succeed General Sir Jim Hockenhull on promotion to General as Commander CSOC in March 2026. General Rob will be responsible for overseeing Defence’s cyber and specialist forces – including cyber experts, deployments and operations through the Permanent Joint Headquarters, medical support, intelligence, educators, and UK Defence attachés.
U.S. APPOINTMENTS
15 Dec 25. USMC Col. Joshua E. Izenour for appointment to the grade of brigadier general. Izenour is currently serving as assistant wing commander, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, New Orleans, Louisiana.
15 Dec 25. USMC Col. Guillermo Rosales Jr. for appointment to the grade of brigadier general. Rosales is currently serving as officer in charge, Marine Detachment, Joint Enabling Capabilities Command, U.S. Transportation Command, Norfolk, Virginia.
INDUSTRY
PERSONNEL
EUROPE APPOINTMENTS
16 Dec 25. KNDS has named Nicolas Groult as CEO of KNDS France, with his tenure scheduled to begin on 5 January 2026. The appointment follows the departure of Nicolas Chamussy, who stepped down on 30 September 2025 after more than four years in the role. During the interim period, Nicolas M, currently chief financial officer of KNDS France, is acting CEO. Groult will be responsible for overseeing all French operations, managing key programmes, supervising industrial sites and directing the company’s development according to the strategy set by the KNDS Group. (Source: army-technology.com)
U.S. APPOINTMENTS
15 Dec 25. Leidos (NYSE: LDOS) is bringing on Theodore “Ted” Tanner Jr. as its new chief technology officer to accelerate its deployment of artificial intelligence, mission-critical software, and cyber and quantum solutions to customers’ most pressing challenges. Tanner most recently served as chief technology and strategy officer at BigBear.ai. As of Jan. 5, 2026, he’ll succeed Jim Carlini, Leidos CTO since 2019, who previously announced plans to step down from the role. (Source: PR Newswire)