The Ministry of Defence has confirmed the scope of Project Vanquish, a Royal Navy initiative exploring a carrier-capable autonomous fixed-wing aircraft, in response to a written parliamentary question.

The post Royal Navy plans jet-powered autonomous carrier drone first appeared on UK Defence Journal.

Defence industry representatives have warned MPs that fragmented procurement decisions and short-term ordering practices are damaging UK shipbuilding, limiting productivity gains and weakening the wider industrial supply chain.

The post Defence industry warns procurement undermining shipbuilding first appeared on UK Defence Journal.

The first of four new Islay-class ferries has been formally handed over to Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited, marking a key milestone in efforts to renew Scotland’s ferry fleet.

The post First of four new Scottish ferries handed over first appeared on UK Defence Journal.

Scotland’s defence industry has received negligible public-sector support in Scotland despite delivering billions in economic value and tens of thousands of skilled jobs, MPs were told during a Scottish Affairs Committee evidence session on defence skills and employment.

The post Defence industry says Scottish support has been negligible first appeared on UK Defence Journal.

Ministers say the UK is ready to use sanctions, regulatory action and “interdiction powers” to target Russia’s shadow fleet, after backing the interception of the sanctioned vessel Bella 1 in the North Atlantic.

The post UK warns it will act lawfully against Russia shadow fleet first appeared on UK Defence Journal.

Defence industry representatives have warned MPs that Scotland’s defence sector is facing acute skills shortages, with demand for specialist engineers and welders far outstripping current training pipelines and workforce planning.

The post Defence firms warn Scotland faces critical skills shortages first appeared on UK Defence Journal.

EXCLUSIVE – Scotland’s marine vessel replacement project plans have shifted from a late-2025 expectation to an open-ended “coming years” timeline, with the official notice updated following UK Defence Journal inquiries.

The post Scottish Government delay procurement of new ships first appeared on UK Defence Journal.

The Ministry of Defence has said the UK’s approach to security in the Arctic and High North is now being addressed through the 2025 Strategic Defence Review, rather than through a standalone update of its 2022 High North strategy.

The post UK says Arctic defence policy covered by 2025 review first appeared on UK Defence Journal.

Efforts to recreate the UK’s complex warship manufacturing capability outside Scotland would face major structural and skills barriers, industry representatives have told MPs, underlining the strategic importance of shipbuilding centres on the Clyde and at Rosyth.

The post MPs told warship building outside Scotland is difficult first appeared on UK Defence Journal.

Participants in the new Armed Forces Foundation Year will serve at entry-level ranks across all three Services, with the pilot scheme set to launch in 2026 at a cost of £13 million.

The post UK confirms entry ranks for Armed Forces Gap Year scheme first appeared on UK Defence Journal.