George Allison

6 days ago | ukdefencejournal.org.uk | George Allison

Yet that’s precisely where we find ourselves with the Scottish Government’s baffling decision to withdraw support from a state-of-the-art welding facility on the Clyde. This wasn’t some shadowy arms deal or weapons plant buried in a hillside. It was a high-tech training and research centre, led by Rolls-Royce no less, designed to pioneer advanced welding techniques to support submarine construction and shipbuilding.

6 days ago | ukdefencejournal.org.uk | George Allison

Ukraine launched Operation Spider Web, a coordinated drone strike deep into Russian territory. Dozens of first-person-view drones were activated from mobile truck platforms hidden across Russia, striking five airbases and reportedly destroying over 40 military aircraft. These included Tu-95 and Tu-160 strategic bombers, as well as a critical A-50 airborne early warning aircraft. No missiles. No jets. Just small, inexpensive drones launched from within Russia itself.

6 days ago | ukdefencejournal.org.uk | George Allison

The news comes ahead of the government’s strategic defence review, set to be launched on Monday, which outlines plans to restore Britain’s military strength in response to growing global threats. As part of this agenda, the review will reportedly back a resurgence in shipbuilding — a key component of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s aim to place defence at the heart of national economic renewal.

6 days ago | ukdefencejournal.org.uk | George Allison

Detailed in a Contract Finder notice titled Maritime Sensor Enhancement Team (M-SET), the proposed contract would cover through-life support, including maintenance, repair, obsolescence management, spares procurement, and safety certification of key equipment.

6 days ago | ukdefencejournal.org.uk | George Allison

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) claimed the strikes destroyed over 40 Russian military aircraft, including strategic bombers and airborne command platforms. According to Ukrainian sources, the operation took 18 months of planning and was personally overseen by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Drones were covertly transported into Russia in wooden crates disguised as innocuous cargo, then mounted on mobile truck platforms.