UK veterans drive defence tech boom Tech Defence tech startups are booming across Europe, powered by an influx of UK military veterans and record levels of VC investment. Yet, a new report found critical gaps in space tech and AI chips could leave the country exposed. The State of Defence Tech 2025 report has revealed that defence startups have secured $1.5bn (£1.12bn) [...]
Government under fire as data breach review finally goes public Tech The government has released a long-delayed review of its own data handling practices, following pressure from MPs, which raises questions about the ability of Whitehall to safeguard sensitive information. This review comes at a time when digital transformation is intended to reshape public services. The Information Security Review, carried out in 2023 but withheld from [...]
Starmer calls for ‘moment to unite’ as Nato agrees defence pledge Politics Keir Starmer said the latest Nato summit represented a “moment to unite” as 32 member countries committed to ramp up spending on defence to 3.5 per cent by 2035, with a further 1.5 per cent allocated towards security and infrastructure. The Prime Minister said investment will go towards cyber security and protecting key infrastructure while [...]
Absence of defence spending plan ‘entirely unsatisfactory’ June 20, 2025 The government has been “entirely unsatisfactory” in failing to assess whether their defence spending plans are affordable, a group of senior MPs has said, in a damning assessment of ministers’ transparency. The row comes amid concerns spending on the nuclear deterrent would be higher than first assumed. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the government would [...]
Spring Statement 2025: £2.2bn defence and weapons boost, Reeves to unveil March 25, 2025 Rachel Reeves is set to unveil a £2.2bn boost for the UK’s defence spending at the Spring Statement, including cash to kit out Royal Navy ships with laser weapons. The Chancellor vowed to deliver “security and national renewal” but warned “we have to move quickly in a changing world” amid rising uncertainty over future European [...]
MOD urged to learn from Ukraine’s war with Russia and ’embrace AI’ January 10, 2025 The ministry of defence (MOD) has been urged to swiftly adapt to artificial intelligence (AI)’s potential in defence to avoid falling behind its global adversaries. According to the Defence Committee’s recent report, the MOD should learn from Ukraine’s use of AI on the battlefield, embracing it as a core part of its operations and strive [...]
Cohort: Defence firm has record revenue and bumper order book amid ‘persistent’ tensions July 17, 2024 Defence holding group Cohort pointed to the invasion of Ukraine and "persistent" tensions in the Aisa-Pacific region as being the core drivers of the record revenue and bumper profit it posted in its preliminary results.