1,200 UK Jobs Supported by Nearly £900 Million Defence Deal to Keep Military Helicopters Mission-Ready
The UK Ministry of Defence awarded Boeing Defence UK a three‑year £879 million (~$1.12 billion) contract to maintain Army Apache attack helicopters and RAF Chinook heavy‑lift helicopters, securing more than 1,200 jobs across the country. The deal creates the Rotary Wing Enterprise, a single‑point support arrangement that aims to cut duplication and improve value for taxpayers. It forms part of a broader £270 billion (~$345 billion) defence investment programme that the government says will turn defence into an engine for growth. The contract supports 700 skilled positions at Boeing sites and 500 roles throughout the supply chain, including 300 at StandardAero.
Notice: Notice to Exporters 2026/11: Expiry Date for F680s on SPIRE
The Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU) announced that the Ministry of Defence’s security approval form F680 will be withdrawn from the SPIRE system. The change, detailed in Notice to Exporters 2026/11, signals a migration to a new licensing platform. Exporters are instructed...
50 Million Boost to Defence Innovation in South Yorkshire with New Defence Growth Deal
The UK government has allocated £50 million (≈$63 million) to a Defence Growth Deal for South Yorkshire, aiming to create high‑skill jobs and expand cutting‑edge defence research. The region already supports 3,200 defence roles backed by roughly £1 billion (≈$1.27 billion) in annual spending,...
NAD Group Fully Established as Deputy NAD Andy Start Retires
The United Kingdom’s National Armaments Directorate (NAD) Group was formally established in March 2025, uniting MOD science, technology, procurement and infrastructure functions under one command. Interim Deputy NAD Andy Start, a 37‑year defence veteran, retired in April 2026, dissolving the Deputy role after...
Guidance: Military Low Flying: RAF Operational Low Flying Training Timetable
The UK Ministry of Defence has released the RAF Operational Low Flying Training timetable extending through April 2026, detailing weekly five‑day low‑altitude flight windows. The schedule is published in advance, with each entry specifying the exact dates for training periods. Updates...
Defence Serious Crime Unit (DSCU)
The Defence Serious Crime Unit (DSCU) was created to replace the armed forces' Special Investigation Branches, consolidating serious crime investigations under the Ministry of Defence. Based at Bulford, the unit draws investigators from the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air...
Guidance: Defence Standards (Def Stan) 972 Amendments
Defence Standards 972 has been updated with a full review of its 13 chapters, culminating in Issue 2 released on 14 February 2026. The latest changes include both Notice of Proposed Amendments and Notice of Authorized Amendments, reflecting revised safety and performance criteria...
UK Start-Up to Supply Interceptor Missiles to UK Military and Gulf Partners
Defence Secretary John Healey announced that Cambridge Aerospace will supply its new Skyhammer interceptor missiles and launchers to the UK Armed Forces and Gulf partners, with the first batch arriving in May. The 30‑km, 700 km/h system is designed to neutralise Iranian‑style...
Guidance: Defence Fuels Policy, Organisation and Safety Regulations (JSP 317)
The UK Ministry of Defence has released its latest update to JSP 317, the definitive guidance on defence fuels policy, organisational responsibilities, and safety regulations. The 9 April 2026 revision adds refreshed Part 1 (directive) and Part 2 (guidance) attachments, aligning the document with the...
Guidance: MOD Law Enforcement Privacy Notices
The UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) has updated its Law Enforcement Privacy Notices, originally published in January 2024, to clarify how personal data is processed for policing and security purposes. The April 2026 revision renamed the notice, expanded the "Details" section, and...
Defence Secretary No9 Speech - 09 April 2026
Britain, alongside Norway and NATO allies, spent more than a month tracking a Russian Akula‑class submarine and two GUGI deep‑sea research vessels operating in the North Atlantic. The operation involved a Royal Navy frigate, RAF P‑8 aircraft logging 450 flight...
£50 Million Boost for Defence Businesses in Plymouth and the South West with New Defence Growth Deal
The UK government has allocated £50 million (≈$62 million) to the Plymouth Defence Growth Deal, aimed at expanding maritime autonomy capabilities in Plymouth and the South West. The funding will broaden the National Centre for Marine Autonomy, launch the Plymouth Marine Autonomy...
Submit a Research Report to MOD
The UK Ministry of Defence’s Athena repository now requires every scientific and technical (S&T) research report to include a completed Report Documentation Page (RDP) and to conform to the Defence Research Report Specification. Submissions must be technically reviewed, correctly classified...
Regulation: DSA02 DFSR Defence: Aerodrome Rescue Fire Fighting (ARFF) Regulations
The Ministry of Defence’s Defence Safety Authority has refreshed the DSA02 DFSR Defence Aerodrome Rescue & Fire Fighting (ARFF) Regulations, the first edition released in 2019 and most recently amended by Regulatory Notice 2026‑01 on 8 April 2026. The update consolidates guidance, adds...
Eligibility for Care at Ilford Park Polish Home: Who Can Apply
Ilford Park Polish Home in Devon has opened admissions for individuals eligible under the 1947 Polish Resettlement Act. The facility can accommodate up to 95 residents, offering residential, nursing and sheltered care, with bilingual staff and daily Polish Catholic services....
