News•Mar 10, 2026
Sustainable Aviation Fuel to Cost over Twice Jet Fuel
The UK Ministry of Defence forecasts that sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) will cost roughly $1.62 per litre in 2025, rising to $1.81 by 2040, more than double the price of conventional Jet A‑1 fuel, which is projected at $0.56 per litre in 2025 and $0.69 in 2040. The price differential stays near $1 per litre across the forecast horizon. These estimates, derived from RAF and MOD analytics, assume market volatility could shift actual costs. The data underline a persistent economic barrier to large‑scale SAF adoption in military aviation.
By UK Defence Journal – Air
News•Mar 10, 2026
Thales Readies Storm 2 Wearable Counter-Drone Jammer
Thales is set to unveil Storm 2, a two‑kilogram soldier‑worn electronic‑warfare node that detects and jams hostile radio signals used by drones and radio‑triggered explosives. The system employs a software‑defined radio covering 20 MHz‑6 GHz and delivers up to 10 watts of reactive jamming...
By UK Defence Journal – Air
News•Mar 9, 2026
Scottish Ambulance Service Highlights Reservist Support
The Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) does not maintain a central record of employees with Armed Forces ties, but it runs a voluntary internal network for veterans, reservists, and their families. Between 2022 and 2025, 166 staff members logged 12,976.5 hours...
By UK Defence Journal – Air
News•Mar 8, 2026
MOD Explores Fuze System for Armed Uncrewed Platforms
The UK Ministry of Defence has launched Project OLCHAR, a preliminary market engagement to develop a sovereign electronic fuze system for armed uncrewed platforms. The design will be "safe‑by‑design" with an Electronic Safe and Arm Device (ESAD) and will be platform‑agnostic,...
By UK Defence Journal – Air
News•Mar 8, 2026
B-21 Bomber Production to Accelerate
Northrop Grumman and the U.S. Air Force are speeding up production of the B‑21 Raider stealth bomber as testing progresses. The company has poured more than $5 billion into digital engineering and manufacturing infrastructure to support the ramp‑up. Final assembly continues...
By UK Defence Journal – Air
News•Mar 5, 2026
Royal Navy Seeks Rapid Counter-Drone Capability for Ships
The Royal Navy has launched Project TALON, a pre‑procurement effort to acquire a rapid, ship‑installable counter‑drone system. The Ministry of Defence seeks mature kinetic and non‑kinetic solutions that can detect, track and defeat NATO Class 2 UAVs with minimal integration, targeting...
By UK Defence Journal – Air
News•Mar 3, 2026
Navantia UK to Hire 35 Apprentices in Scotland
Navantia UK announced it will recruit 35 apprentices for its Scottish yards in Methil and Arnish, covering Level 2 and Level 3 programmes in electrical engineering, fabrication, welding and CAD design. The hiring supports the company's broader pledge to train 500 apprentices...
By UK Defence Journal – Air
News•Mar 2, 2026
American F-15 Jet Comes Down over Kuwait
Reports from regional media claim a United States Air Force F-15 fighter crashed in northern Kuwait near the Iraqi border, with video showing a smoking aircraft and visible flames. Sources suggest the pilot ejected and was assisted by local residents,...
By UK Defence Journal – Air
News•Feb 27, 2026
UK Confirms New Chinooks to Get Aerial Refuelling Equipment
The UK Ministry of Defence confirmed that the incoming Chinook H‑47(ER) helicopters will be delivered with a built‑in air‑to‑air refuelling receiver. Despite this capability, the current plan is to rely on United States KC‑130 aircraft for in‑flight refuelling rather than...
By UK Defence Journal – Air
News•Feb 24, 2026
Global Defence Spending Hits 2.63 Trillion Dollars
Global defence spending reached $2.63 trillion in 2025, a 2.5% year‑on‑year increase driven by heightened great‑power rivalry. The United States shifted its strategy toward homeland defence and burden‑sharing, proposing a multi‑layered “Golden Dome” missile shield while scaling back direct aid to...
By UK Defence Journal – Air
News•Feb 23, 2026
Labour MP Warns UK Exposed to Subsea Cable Threat
Labour MP Graeme Downie warned that the UK is dangerously exposed to disruption of its undersea cable network. He cited the Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy, noting that about 98% of internet traffic travels through these cables, making...
By UK Defence Journal – Air
News•Feb 20, 2026
American and Estonian Divers Train Under Ice in Baltic
U.S. Navy Seabee divers partnered with Estonian rescue and navy teams for ice‑diving and underwater demolition training in Estonia from Jan. 31 to Feb. 17, 2026. The exercise took place at Rummu Quarry Lake and Miinisadam Naval Base, combining classroom instruction, safety drills,...
By UK Defence Journal – Air
News•Feb 20, 2026
16 Air Assault Demos AI-Enabled Air Manoeuvre Strike
The British Army’s 16 Air Assault Brigade Combat Team showcased AI‑enabled reconnaissance‑strike capabilities during a visit by Chief of the General Staff General Sir Roly Walker. The demonstration linked new hardware, software and procedures to accelerate target acquisition and air‑delivered...
By UK Defence Journal – Air
News•Feb 20, 2026
UK Joins NATO Ballistic Missile Defence Effort
The United Kingdom has joined six NATO allies in a new High Visibility Project aimed at bolstering ballistic missile defence. Announced on 12 February 2026, the initiative will develop and field sensors, interceptors and tactical control systems to plug gaps...
By UK Defence Journal – Air
News•Feb 19, 2026
Kongsberg to Supply RS4 Weapon Stations for CAVS Fleet
Patria and Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace have signed a €140 million contract to equip more than 300 Patria 6×6 armoured vehicles with PROTECTOR RS4 remote weapon stations under the Common Armoured Vehicle System (CAVS) programme. The deal includes additional orders for...
By UK Defence Journal – Air
Deals•Feb 17, 2026
BAE Systems to Acquire Swedish Supplier Aston Harald Mekaniska Verkstad
BAE Systems' Bofors business has signed a share purchase agreement to acquire Swedish precision‑machining firm Aston Harald Mekaniska Verkstad, expanding its industrial capacity in Europe. The acquisition, pending regulatory approval, is expected to close in the first half of 2026.
UK Defence Journal – Air