14 charts reveal the massive challenges facing UK and NATO defence spending Politics Defence spending is casting a shadow over Downing Street. Military officers are in a state of despair. The choices facing Sir Keir Starmer are stark. The political calculus for the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, has become more complicated than ever as the Iran war puts public finances in danger. Their difficulties go back to February 2025 [...]
New satellite rules could prove catastrophic for UK business Opinion Satellite interference rules are being rewritten. The risks for defence and UK business interests could be catastrophic, writes Mark Allatt.
Babcock shares surge as Starmer calls for Europe to ‘step up’ on defence Economics Shares in Britain’s defence giants rallied on Monday morning as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called for Europe to “step up” on defence spending. Babcock – which plays a key role in the UK’s nuclear submarine fleet as well as naval, land and air operations – surged nearly four per cent in early trading to [...]
World is scariest it’s been since Cold War, BAE Systems boss warns December 2, 2025 The world is “probably the scariest it’s been” since the Cold War, the chief financial officer of FTSE 100 defence giant BAE Systems has warned. Brad Greve said the governments BAE Systems supplies “see a risk environment that’s unprecedented” and that the company’s “mission of protecting those who protect us is more important than it [...]
Lord Mayor: Armed Forces should mine London’s fintechs for reserves October 20, 2025 A strong defence and a thriving economy are two sides of the same coin. The Armed Forces should utilise the City's talent.
Sell-out Farnborough International Airshow boosted by Airbus and Boeing deals July 29, 2025 Finances at the company behind the Farnborough International Airshow took off after the bi-annual show saw deals worth more £81bn agreed, it has been revealed. The accounts for Farnborough International, which runs the airshow as well as an exhibition and conference centre alongside two film studios, show the business achieved a turnover of £52.3m in [...]
Babcock shares soar as FTSE 100 giant hails ‘new era’ for defence June 25, 2025 Engineering giant Babcock posted a jump in profit for the latest financial year as the firm’s boss hailed a “new era for defence”. The FTSE 100 company – which plays a significant role in supporting the UK’s nuclear submarine program – recorded an 11 per cent increase in revenue to £4.8bn. Meanwhile, operating profit surged [...]
Are Brexit Britain and Carney’s Canada a dream match? June 17, 2025 As Carney balances political principles with market realities, post-tariff Canada could learn from Brexit Britain, writes Michael Martins.
Spending Review: Reeves promises UK will become defence ‘superpower’ June 11, 2025 Chancellor Rachel Reeves has pledged the UK will become a “defence industrial superpower” as she confirmed military spending would rise to 2.6 per cent of GDP (gross domestic product) by April 2027. Unveiling the government’s much-anticipated Spending Review, Reeves told the House of Commons: “A new era in the threats we face demands a new [...]
Babcock: FTSE 100 shares double in value to ten-year high June 4, 2025 Shares in Babcock, the FTSE 100 aerospace, defence and nuclear engineering services giant, have rocketed to their highest value since 2015 after doubling in price. The London-listed group has enjoyed a bumper 2025 so far, with its share price rising from just over 500p at the start of January to now be priced at more [...]