U.K. Ditches Watchkeeper UAV for New Options
The U.K. MoD has decided to retire the 14-year-old Watchkeeper UAV from service as an “outdated military capability”.
United Kingdom News
Unmanned Systems
Air
Logistics
Turkiye to Buy RAF’s Second-Hand C-130J Super Hercules
It has been reported by Scramble that Turkiye has accepted to purchase 12 used C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft from RAF.
Air
Saudi Arabia Joins New Generation Fighter Project
Italy’s foreign minister said that the trillateral partnership to build an advanced fighter jet would likely be extended to include Saudi Arabia.
Navy / Maritime
Unmanned Systems
BAE Systems has built xlarge unmanned submarine
BAE Systems developed a new large-scale autonomous unmanned submarine (XLUUV), Herne, designed for military use.
Unmanned Systems
Expo and Air Show
MBDA Shows RCM2 Remote Carrier for Different Platforms
RCM2 was first revealed during ILA2024 alongside the Eurofighter Tranche 5 fighter. It will be launchable from aircraft, ships, and MLRS.
Country
French Thales Under Investigation for Corruption
French Thales Under Investigation for Corruption. The UK Corruption Bureau is cooperating with the French Parquet National Financier on this inquiry.
Regional / Strategy
Defence Politics
European Defence Industry Strechens Muscles
ASD presented its Facts & Figures 2024 report, an analysis of 2023’s performance which underlines an increase at the industry income.
Defence Politics
UK Retires Defence Systems due to Budget Constraits
United Kingdom will retire some ot its platforms to economy its defence spending. The budget cuts coincide with Russian- Ukrainian war.
Weapon / Missile
Defence Politics
AUKUS Partnership Enlarges to Hypersonics Missiles
The Pentagon announced that AUKUS added Hypersonic Missiles as the second pillar of the strategic partnership, which will be the AUKUS Pillar II.
Weapon / Missile
Eurofighter Typhoon Fires SPEAR Mini Cruise Missile
UK MoD announced the test firing of the SPEAR mini cruise missile from an RAF Eurofighter Typhoon, which hit the target tank successfully.
Country
Defence Politics
Marginal Increase in UK Defence Budget
The new Labour government intends to increase defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP but has not specified a timetable.
Air
British Secretary of State for Defence Healey Visits TUSAŞ
British Secretary of State for Defence John Healey, invited by Turkish Counterpart Yaşar Güler, visited TUSAS along with Secretary of SSB Haluk Görgün.
Air
Spain to Finalise Eurofighter Halcon II Programme
Eurofighter and Spain have concluded negotiations for the Halcon II follow-on buy of the Typhoon for the Spanish Air Force (Ejército del Aire Español/ EdAE)
Weapon / Missile
BAE Systems Provides Naval Guns for Belgian-Dutch Frigates
BAE Systems will provide Bofors 40 Mk4 40 mm naval guns for the Belgian-Dutch ASWF frigate programme.
