Richard Thomas

London

Editor-in-Chief (Defence and Transport) at GlobalData

Editor-in-Chief (Defence and Transport) at Naval Technology

Editor-in-Chief (Defence and Transport) at Global Defence Technology

Editor-in-Chief (Defence and Transport) at Army Technology

Hack-of-all-trades/defence journalist, and former newspaperman in Oman. Editor-in-Chief (Defence and Transport) at GlobalData. Syndicated on MSN.

Articles

Dangerous Waters: Global Defence Technology 152

1 week ago | naval-technology.com | Richard Thomas

This latest issue of Global Defence Technology once more brings you all the insight and analysis into the technologies, policies, and influencing factors in the defence space. Europe’s procurement of conventionally powered submarines centre around a small handful of key programmes, delivering what is hoped will be strategic effectors to the subsurface domain.
Are UK shipyards being shunned for Royal Navy warship recycling?

1 week ago | naval-technology.com | Richard Thomas

As another UK warship is set to be consigned to the breakers yard with former Type 23 frigate HMS Monmouth now destined to be torn up at Turkey’s Leyal Ship Recycling, the apparent absence of UK shipyards in providing a sovereign ship recycling capability is notable. The award to a Turkish shipyard on 8 April is the latest in an ongoing trend to contract the recycling of UK warships overseas, with Type 22 frigate HMS Cornwall the last to be broken down in-country, more than a decade ago.
Royal Navy has just six Type 23 frigates available for operations

1 week ago | naval-technology.com | Richard Thomas

Providing the latest snapshot of UK surface combatant availability, a senior UK defence official has revealed that just six are “at readiness” and available for operations, one of which is set to depart the UK later this month on a slimmed down carrier strike group deployment. Stated in a 7 April parliamentary written response, UK Defence Procurement Minister Maria Eagle said that the Royal Navy currently has eight Type 23 frigates in its inventory, with six active as of 2 April.
All Type 31 frigates will undergo mid-life upgrade to boost lethality

2 weeks ago | naval-technology.com | Richard Thomas

The award by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) to Babcock of a contract to perform a Capability Insertion Period (CIP) across all five future Type 31 frigates could indicate that the integration of the Mk 41 Vertical Launch System (VLS) will come during a mid-life upgrade process.
IDF sources components for worn out Merkava tanks

2 weeks ago | army-technology.com | Richard Thomas

The Israeli Ministry of Defense (MoD) has secured a multi-million-dollar deal for Merkava main battle tank (MBT) and Namer armoured personnel carrier (APC) components with Ashot Ashkelon Industries, with the parts due to be supplied over the coming five-year period.
Drones now account for 80% of casualties in Ukraine-Russia war

2 weeks ago | army-technology.com | Richard Thomas

The majority of combat casualties in the Ukraine-Russia war are now being caused by one-way attack drones, superceding the lethality of artillery, while the latest battlefield understanding points to Russia having sustained 250,000 personnel killed in action since February 2022.
US Navy hits midpoint of Virginia Block IV with USS Iowa commissioning

2 weeks ago | naval-technology.com | Richard Thomas

The US Navy has commissioned the 24th Virginia-class nuclear powered attack submarine (SSN), the USS Iowa (SSN 797), into service at a ceremony at Naval Submarine Base New London, on the east coast of the United States. According to a 4 April 2025 release from the US Navy, the USS Iowa is the fifth naval vessel named for the state, which includes the famed World War 2-era battleship that also saw service in the Korean and Vietnam wars.
US looks to prioritise Panama in snub to Europe and Ukraine

2 weeks ago | army-technology.com | Richard Thomas

In yet further indication of the detachment of Washington from its old allies in Europe, it looks likely that US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth will miss the upcoming Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) meeting, due to take place next week. The past 48 hours have given a series of clues as to this outcome, with a 2 April release from Nato’s press office stating that the UK and Germany would convene the UDCG at Nato’s headquarters in Brussels on 11 April.
UK MoD confirms talks to sell Albion-class warships to Brazil

2 weeks ago | naval-technology.com | Richard Thomas

The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has confirmed that it is in talk with the Brazilian Navy over the sale of former Royal Navy amphibious assault ships HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark, axed in 2024 by the UK government as part of widespread defence cuts. Prior to their removal from service, both HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark were being kept at a lower state of readiness, having not been to sea since 2023 and 2017 respectively.
British Army’s Challenger 3 programme “impacted” by delays

3 weeks ago | army-technology.com | Richard Thomas