Defence Contracts International Blog

Report finds that leaving UK will weaken Scottish defence capability

A report on the defence capabilities of an independent Scotland has concluded that leaving the UK would be put the country at a “great practical disadvantage”.

Osborne agrees defence spending deal with Hammond

Chancellor George Osborne has said he has reached a deal with the Ministry of Defence in budget talks on 2015-16 military spending, saying that cuts are necessary but military capacity will not be affected.

Britain captures a fifth of global defence market

British defence exports increased by 62% in 2012 to £8.8 billion, the largest increase for five years, seeing Britain now securing 20% of the global defence market.

Obama calls for reduced nuclear weapon capabilities

Summary: US President Barack Obama has used his public speech in Berlin today (19 June) to propose cuts of one-third in American and Russian nuclear

Largest recruitment drive in MOD history launched

The Ministry of Defence is embarking on the largest recruitment of buyers in its history, aiming to bring in up to 180 staff in total.

Fresh concerns raised over future of defence after Scottish independence

Unionist UK politicians have reiterated their concerns regarding the future of the defence industry should Scotland vote to become independent.

New White Paper to allow more suppliers to enter defence competition

The MOD expects to save £200m a year under new contract rules that are designed to allow for greater competition and transparency in defence procurement.

Ministers meet to review NATO cyber defences

Defence ministers from NATO’s 28 member states met last week, with cyber-defence top of the agenda amid concerns about the threat posed by increasing cyber-attacks.

Hammond seeks ‘adult conversation’ with Osborne over UK defence cuts

UK Defence Secretary Philip Hammond has said that he wants an “adult conversation” with Chancellor George Osborne over further cuts to the MOD.

Obama outlines US defense future

President Barack Obama has announced new courts which would adjudicate the use of unmanned drones in the US, increased attempts to speed up the closure of Guantánamo Bay, and a renewed focus on ending the extensive war on terror.

Plans submitted for wind farm in MOD nuclear listening zone

A planning application has been submitted to South Lanarkshire Council for a 14-turbine wind farm to be built within a seismic listening zone run by the Ministry of Defence.

Obama set for defence and counterterrorism address

President Obama plans to reiterate his administration’s views on evolving counterterrorism policies, the controversial use of drones and his renewed plans to close the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay.

‘Privatising’ defence organisation may harm UK foreign relationships

American officials have issued strong warnings about a Ministry of Defence plan to part-privatise Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S).

PAC give stark warning over MOD Equipment Plans

The Public Accounts Committee, in its recent report on the MOD’s Defence Equipment Plan 2012-2022, said it “did not have confidence” that the planned £159bn equipment budget between now and 2022 could be paid for.

Radar delay means two-year wait for aircraft carrier – NAO

The National Audit Office (NAO) has said that the decision to delay spending on a new radar system named Crowsnest will mean that any new aircraft carrier will not be fully operational until 2022, two years later than promised.

BAE forecasts ‘modest growth’ despite defence cuts

Europe’s largest defence contractor, BAE Systems, has announced that it predicts ‘modest growth’, despite the recent cuts to defence spending seen across countries worldwide.

UK supports France’s Defence White Paper

Summary: UK Foreign and Defence Secretaries have welcomed France’s Defence White Paper, which sets out its vision for French Armed Forces. The White Paper, released

UK defence cuts could call Britain’s military power into question

Whitehall sources have suggested that new cuts in the defence budget could take British defence spending below 2% of Gross Domestic Product, the level regarded by the United States as the minimum standard to be considered a serious military power.

Atos team wins major new contract with UK MOD

Atos, an international IT services company, has today (19 April) announced that it will lead a team comprising Vega, a Selex ES company (Finmeccanica group)