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ukdefencejournal.org.uk
UK Defence Journal
@ukdefencejournal.org.uk
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One of the UK's largest independent defence and technology news websites.

ukdefencejournal.org.uk
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graemedowniemp.bsky.social
We've had Russian attacks on the UK on land, at sea, in the air and in cyberspace.

The government need to rapidly increase UK preparedness and make sure the public know the impact and costs of these attacks on their daily lives. @ukdefencejournal.org.uk.

ukdefencejournal.org.uk/russia-has-a...
Russia has attacked the United Kingdom – again
Russian hackers have stolen British government login credentials, with Graeme Downie MP warning that the pattern of Russian offensive activity against the UK now spans every domain.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
July 5, 2026 at 8:18 PM
Reposted by UK Defence Journal
pa.nton.cx
Two Russian tankers with escort in the Channel, visible on both latest Sentinel 1 and 2 images. Looks like PLUTON was simply loitering, waiting for the escort.
June 29, 2026 at 8:49 PM
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
British F-35B Lightning jets have flown sorties over Finland for the first time, launched from HMS Prince of Wales as part of NATO's premier air warfare exercise, according to the Royal Navy.
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/british-airpower-flexes-muscle-near-russia/
British airpower flexes muscle near Russia
British F-35B Lightning jets have flown sorties over Finland for the first time, launched from HMS Prince of Wales as part of NATO's premier air warfare exercise, according to the Royal Navy.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
June 22, 2026 at 3:34 PM
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
The British Army's planned Initial Operating Capability date for the Challenger 3 main battle tank is under review, although no formal reapproval has yet taken place, the Ministry of Defence stated.
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/britains-new-battle-tank-service-dates-not-yet-locked-in/
Britain's new battle tank service dates not yet locked in
The British Army's planned Initial Operating Capability date for the Challenger 3 main battle tank is under review, although no formal reapproval has yet taken place, the Ministry of Defence stated.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
June 22, 2026 at 3:19 PM
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
BAE Systems has been awarded a contract worth USD 535 million to produce additional M109A7 Paladin self-propelled howitzers and M992A3 ammunition carriers for the US Army, the company stated.
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/bae-systems-lands-huge-m109a7-paladin-order/
BAE Systems lands huge M109A7 Paladin order
BAE Systems has been awarded a contract worth USD 535 million to produce additional M109A7 Paladin self-propelled howitzers and M992A3 ammunition carriers for the US Army, the company stated.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
June 22, 2026 at 2:56 PM
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
Babcock has set out an expanding international maritime portfolio anchored by its Arrowhead 140 frigate design and submarine support work.
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/babcock-arrowhead-frigate-eyes-new-export-wins/
June 22, 2026 at 10:06 AM
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
A House of Lords Library briefing published ahead of a debate on threats to UK democracy has drawn attention to an accusation that the Israeli firm BlackCore conducted digital interference operations ahe
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/israeli-interference-in-scottish-vote-flagged-in-lords-briefing/
Israeli interference in Scottish vote flagged in Lords briefing
A House of Lords Library briefing published ahead of a debate on threats to UK democracy has drawn attention to an accusation that the Israeli firm BlackCore conducted digital interference operations ahead of the recent Scottish parliamentary elections.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
June 22, 2026 at 9:53 AM
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
The Australian and Canadian governments have announced an export agreement covering the supply of Australia's High Frequency Surveillance capability to establish an Arctic over-the-horizon radar system in Canada.
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/australia-exports-over-the-horizon-radar-to-canada/
Australia exports over-the-horizon radar to Canada
The Australian and Canadian governments have announced an export agreement covering the supply of Australia's High Frequency Surveillance capability to establish an Arctic over-the-horizon radar system in Canada.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
June 22, 2026 at 9:42 AM
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
Ukraine regained more territory than it ceded last month, a senior NATO military official has said.
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/ukraine-regained-more-land-than-it-lost-last-month/
Ukraine regained more land than it lost last month
Ukraine regained more territory than it ceded last month, a senior NATO military official has said.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
June 21, 2026 at 12:41 PM
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
US Air Force B-1B Lancers, F-15E Strike Eagles and F-35A Lightning IIs flew together over the North Sea during Astral Knight 26, a major US air and missile defence exercise running across the United Kingdom.
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/american-bombers-ready-to-strike-over-the-north-sea/
American bombers 'ready to strike' over the North Sea
US Air Force B-1B Lancers, F-15E Strike Eagles and F-35A Lightning IIs flew together over the North Sea during Astral Knight 26, a major US air and missile defence exercise running across the United Kingdom.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
June 21, 2026 at 12:41 PM
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
American F-35s, F-15Es and B-1B bombers are flying from British bases in Astral Knight 2026, an air and missile defence exercise, rehearsing the defence of allied airspace and strikes against simulated enemy f
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/american-jets-and-bombers-fight-in-the-skies-over-britain/
American jets and bombers 'fight' in the skies over Britain
American F-35s, F-15Es and B-1B bombers are flying from British bases in Astral Knight 2026, an air and missile defence exercise, rehearsing the defence of allied airspace and strikes against simulated enemy forces.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
June 21, 2026 at 12:41 PM
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
Ukrainian strikes have left Russia unable to effectively resupply Crimea, a senior NATO official says, with fuel running short, bridges hit in June and use of the Kerch crossing now restricted by fear of the next attack.
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/?p=70188
Russia struggling to supply Crimea, NATO says
Ukrainian strikes have left Russia unable to effectively resupply Crimea, a senior NATO official says, with fuel running short, bridges hit in June and use of the Kerch crossing now restricted by fear of the next attack.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
June 21, 2026 at 8:41 AM
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
A former Border Force officer and a Hong Kong trade office manager have been jailed for spying on UK pro-democracy campaigners for Chinese authorities.
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/uk-border-force-officer-jailed-for-hong-kong-spying/
UK Border Force officer jailed for Hong Kong spying
A former Border Force officer and a Hong Kong trade office manager have been jailed for spying on UK pro-democracy campaigners for Chinese authorities.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
June 21, 2026 at 8:21 AM
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
The MoD says it is exploring how machine vision could sharpen targeting in one-way attack drones, with policy still being developed alongside legal teams.
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/uk-exploring-machine-vision-for-strike-drones/
UK exploring machine vision for strike drones
The MoD says it is exploring how machine vision could sharpen targeting in one-way attack drones, with policy still being developed alongside legal teams.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
June 21, 2026 at 8:17 AM
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
The RAF's first E-7 Wedgetail surveillance jet is now undergoing ground and flight testing at RAF Lossiemouth, the MoD says.
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/raf-wedgetail-update-testing-under-way-at-lossiemouth/
RAF Wedgetail update: testing under way at Lossiemouth
The RAF's first E-7 Wedgetail surveillance jet is now undergoing ground and flight testing at RAF Lossiemouth, the MoD says.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
June 21, 2026 at 8:09 AM
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
NATO's training and assistance command for Ukraine has put more than 59,000 Ukrainian personnel through coordinated programmes and now spans 31 nations.
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/?p=70191
NATO hub has trained 59,000 Ukrainian troops
NATO's training and assistance command for Ukraine has put more than 59,000 Ukrainian personnel through coordinated programmes and now spans 31 nations.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
June 20, 2026 at 3:01 PM
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
Air defence in every form remains Ukraine's single greatest need, a senior NATO military official says, ahead of a full drone ecosystem, artillery, energetics and electronic warfare, with requirements grounded directly in battlefield experience.
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/?p=70190
Air defence tops Ukraine wish list, NATO says
Air defence in every form remains Ukraine's single greatest need, a senior NATO military official says, ahead of a full drone ecosystem, artillery, energetics and electronic warfare, with requirements grounded directly in battlefield experience.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
June 20, 2026 at 2:02 PM
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
UK firm Rotron Aerospace says its SkyLance one-way effector has passed a successful flight trial under Project BRAKESTOP.
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/?p=70209
British long range deep-strike weapon passes key trial
UK firm Rotron Aerospace says its SkyLance one-way effector has passed a successful flight trial under Project BRAKESTOP.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
June 20, 2026 at 11:41 AM
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
UK firm MGI Engineering has unveiled its TigerShark deep-strike system under the MoD's Project BRAKESTOP, a 900km-range autonomous strike platform.
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/britain-shows-off-home-grown-deep-strike-weapon/
June 20, 2026 at 11:04 AM
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
Russia has suffered up to 1.5 million total casualties in Ukraine, around half a million of them killed, a senior NATO official says, with voluntary recruitment weakening and Moscow increasingly relying on convicts, the indebted and foreigners.
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/?p=70192
Russia has lost half a million dead
Russia has suffered up to 1.5 million total casualties in Ukraine, around half a million of them killed, a senior NATO official says, with voluntary recruitment weakening and Moscow increasingly relying on convicts, the indebted and foreigners.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
June 20, 2026 at 11:01 AM
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
Russia, China, Iran and North Korea are increasingly learning from the war in Ukraine and sharing the lessons systematically, a senior NATO military official warned.
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/?p=70189
West risks falling behind its rivals, NATO warns
Russia, China, Iran and North Korea are increasingly learning from the war in Ukraine and sharing the lessons systematically, a senior NATO military official warned.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
June 20, 2026 at 10:31 AM
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
Record increases in European defence spending must be turned into combat-ready forces at speed, NATO's Mark Rutte says, warning that "you cannot stop a missile or a tank with a dollar or a euro" as the alliance prepares for Ankara.
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/?p=70195
Cash alone won’t stop a tank, NATO chief warns
Record increases in European defence spending must be turned into combat-ready forces at speed, NATO's Mark Rutte says, warning that "you cannot stop a missile or a tank with a dollar or a euro" as the alliance prepares for Ankara.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
June 20, 2026 at 10:01 AM
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
Russia is now spending close to half its entire state budget on defence, NATO's Mark Rutte says, warning the alliance cannot be naive even as he insists Russia knows it could not win a war against NATO.
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/?p=70193
Russia pouring half its budget into war, Rutte says
Russia is now spending close to half its entire state budget on defence, NATO's Mark Rutte says, warning the alliance cannot be naive even as he insists Russia knows it could not win a war against NATO.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
June 20, 2026 at 9:12 AM
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
The timeline for the remaining upgrades of the United Kingdom’s F-35B aircraft to Technology Refresh 3 standard has yet to be finalised.
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/timeline-for-uk-f-35-tr-3-upgrade-still-not-set/
June 20, 2026 at 9:02 AM
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
Ukraine is now the world leader in drone and counter-drone warfare, ahead of Russia and many NATO members, NATO's Mark Rutte says, with the alliance now learning from Kyiv as much as it teaches it.
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/ukraine-ahead-of-nato-allies-on-drones/
Ukraine ahead of NATO allies on drones
Ukraine is now the world leader in drone and counter-drone warfare, ahead of Russia and many NATO members, NATO's Mark Rutte says, with the alliance now learning from Kyiv as much as it teaches it.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
June 20, 2026 at 8:54 AM