UK Defence Journal

At the UK Defence Journal, our mission is to deliver unbiased and thorough coverage of defense issues both in the UK and globally. Our team consists of dedicated volunteers who work without any payment or external funding. We don't operate as a traditional company or business; instead, we are a collective of writers who contribute to the blog whenever they can. The UK Defence Journal remains independent and unaffiliated with any political party or organization, with our contributors representing a diverse range of political views.

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Lewis urges caution on Palestine Action proscription

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

Senior Conservative MP Sir Julian Lewis has urged the government to ensure it has a robust legal basis before proscribing Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation, warning that a failed court challenge would do lasting damage.
Powerful imagery shows jets arrayed on British carrier

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

Dramatic new images show a powerful array of British F-35B Lightning jets lined up across the deck of HMS Prince of Wales as the UK Carrier Strike Group arrived in Singapore on 23 June. The imagery was captured by Leading Photographer James Clarke and AS1 Amber Mayall, and is © Crown copyright 2025.
MOD awards £170M Voyager system upgrade to AirTanker

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

Known as the Voyager Operating System Evolution (VOSE), the project will deliver the design, development, certification, and through-life support of a new mission system for the RAF’s Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft (FSTA). According to the contract award notice, the upgrade includes integration of the Multifunction Information Distribution System and the Joint Tactical Radio System (MIDS/JTRS), vital components for secure communications and interoperability.
Britain to buy 12 stealth nuclear strike aircraft

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

The move represents the most significant change to Britain’s nuclear posture in a generation and will reintroduce an air-delivered nuclear capability to the Royal Air Force for the first time since the Cold War. Speaking ahead of this week’s NATO summit, the Prime Minister said the decision would strengthen the UK’s deterrence posture, support over 20,000 jobs across the country, and deliver what he called a “defence dividend” for British industry.
Dozens of pro-Indy accounts go dark after Israeli strikes

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

On 12 June 2025, dozens of anonymous X (formerly Twitter) accounts advocating Scottish independence abruptly went silent. Many had posted hundreds of times per week, often using pro-independence slogans, anti-UK messaging, and identity cues like “NHS nurse” or “Glaswegian socialist.”Their sudden disappearance coincided with a major Israeli airstrike campaign against Iranian military and cyber infrastructure.
RAF jet ‘intercepts’ French military aircraft over Channel

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

The intercept occurred over Bournemouth, with a subsequent escort phase over the English Channel. The aircraft involved was a French Air and Space Force TBM 700 (serial 117), operating under the callsign CTM3822. The light turboprop departed France and entered UK-controlled airspace at an altitude of approximately 19,450 feet. RAF Typhoon ZJ929, using the callsign RIGID012, intercepted the TBM near Bournemouth and continued to shadow it as it transited southward.
MQ-28 Ghost Bat teams with E-7A Wedgetail in trial

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

Boeing and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) have successfully flown two MQ-28 Ghost Bat uncrewed aircraft controlled by a single operator onboard an E-7A Wedgetail, simulating a live engagement with an airborne target. The mission, conducted at Woomera, South Australia, marks the first time two MQ-28 aircraft, plus a third digital twin, were operated from an airborne platform, validating a key concept for collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) systems.
Iran launches missile attack on U.S. base in Middle East

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

Iran is reported to have launched several ballistic missiles at the US-run Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, with visible air defence activity observed over the capital, Doha. The attack has triggered the closure of Qatari airspace and raised regional alert levels. Footage showing surface-to-air missiles launched from Al Udeid Air Base intercepting Iranian ballistic missiles earlier over Doha, Qatar.
MOD signals cruise missile plans remain classified

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

The Ministry of Defence has declined to confirm whether the UK intends to procure a land-based cruise missile, citing the classified nature of the capability mix being developed under the Strategic Defence Review. In response to a parliamentary question tabled by James Cartlidge MP on 20 June, Minister of State for Defence Maria Eagle said that while cruise missiles are considered a key component of future capability, specifics about their potential procurement remain confidential.
Classified data once again leaked on War Thunder forums

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

It has happened again. A player of the popular online military simulator War Thunder has been banned from the game’s official forums after sharing a page from a restricted AV-8B Harrier flight manual. The incident marks at least the ninth known case in which classified or export-controlled material has been posted by users attempting to influence in-game accuracy.