DefenceTalkThe Defence Reform Bill announced in the Queen’s Speech in May 2013 will enable the Ministry of Defence to make radical changes to defence acquisition. The proposed reforms are significant. The Government wants to change Defence Equipment and Support, the body responsible for procuring and supporting defence equipment, into a Government-owned, Contractor-operated entity, known as […]https://www.defencetalk.com/in-brief-outsourcing-defence-procurement-47744/

DefenceTalkThere was widespread coverage at the weekend of demonstrations outside RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire against the air base becoming the location for the control of the UK’s armed remotely-piloted Reaper aircraft (commonly known as drones) that operate in support of operations in Afghanistan. UK Reapers are piloted by highly trained professional military pilots who adhere […]https://www.defencetalk.com/role-of-drones-in-afghanistan-47646/

DefenceTalkThe Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress April 16 of a possible Foreign Military Sale to the United Kingdom for 500 AGM-114-N4/P4 HELLFIRE missiles. The estimated cost is $95 million. This program will directly contribute to the U.S. foreign and national security policies by enhancing the close air support capability of the United Kingdom in […]https://www.defencetalk.com/united-kingdom-to-buy-hellfire-missiles-47512/

DefenceTalkFollowing an extensive refit, HMS Portland has become the final Royal Navy Type 23 frigate to be fitted with Thales UK’s Sonar 2087, a towed array sonar system that enables warships to hunt submarines at considerable distances and locate them beyond the range from which they can launch an attack. Portland has now returned to […]https://www.defencetalk.com/final-royal-navy-frigate-gets-sonar-upgrade-47439/

DefenceTalkThe core Team Complex Weapons (Team CW) air defence missile development programme – the Common Anti-air Modular Missile (CAMM) for the Future Local Anti-Air Defence System (FLAADS) – has been the catalyst for the creation of a new business relationship between MBDA and Thales UK’s Belfast site. Over the last year, as part of on-going […]https://www.defencetalk.com/mbda-and-thales-extend-their-cooperation-on-camm-47384/

DefenceTalkChina has become the world’s fifth largest exporter of major conventional arms, replacing the United Kingdom, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) said in a report Monday. The report, which contains new data on international arms transfers, says this is the first time China has been one of the top five weapons exporters since […]https://www.defencetalk.com/china-replaces-uk-as-fifth-global-arms-exporter-sipri-47178/

DefenceTalkAirbus Military and Thales UK have signed an 18-year contract with the UK Ministry of Defence to supply training services for the A400M Atlas , the Royal Air Force’s next-generation military transport aircraft. The multi-million pound training services programme will be operated by A400M Training Services Ltd, a joint venture between Airbus Military and Thales […]https://www.defencetalk.com/uk-mod-awards-a400m-training-contract-47036/

DefenceTalkBritain’s most advanced attack submarine HMS Ambush has officially joined the Royal Navy fleet following a ceremony. Head of the Navy Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope attended the service at Faslane naval base on the Clyde where the 7,400-tonne sub was granted her official title. HMS Ambush, the second of the Navy’s Astute-class attack submarines, was […]https://www.defencetalk.com/royal-navy-commissions-2nd-astute-ssn-47034/

DefenceTalkA National Audit Office review of the Government’s strategy for cyber security indicates that, although it is at an early stage, activities are already beginning to deliver benefits. The cost of cyber crime to the UK is currently estimated to be between £18 billion and £27 billion. Business, government and the public must therefore be […]https://www.defencetalk.com/the-uk-cyber-security-strategy-landscape-review-46759/

DefenceTalkAmSafe Bridport Limited has won a contract for the UK MoD’s requirement for Improved Rocket Propelled Grenade protection for its military vehicles. AmSafe’s Tarian® Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) Armour System has been selected for the requirement. The Contract Award follows an international competition for the MoD’s requirement where Tarian was one of three solutions down-selected […]https://www.defencetalk.com/uk-mod-orders-innovative-anti-rpg-armor-kits-46705/