The West may soon need Ukraine’s weapons as much as Ukraine needs ours Opinion As Ukraine’s domestic defence-tech sector has rapidly scaled through wartime innovation and decentralized procurement, the military relationship between the West and Ukraine is evolving into a symbiotic exchange, says Tom Bailey When Russian tanks streamed over Ukraine’s border in 2022, Western military aid was vital for Ukraine’s heroic defence. But as the war has ground [...]
Healey to unveil billions in defence spending as Tories demand he resign Politics John Healey is set to announce billions of pounds in new defence investment in Wednesday’s Budget as the Conservatives demand he resign unless he commits to spending three per cent of GDP on the military by 2030. The chancellor is expected to channel additional funding through the National Wealth Fund and British Business Bank, backing [...]
AI, drones and data: Defence giants splash record $4.1bn on tech start-ups Tech Investment in defence tech start-ups has reached a record high this year as the world’s biggest arms companies step up spending on new military technology. New figures from Dealroom show defence contractors including BAE Systems, Lockheed Martin and Airbus have participated in $4.1bn (£3bn) of venture capital funding rounds so far this year, the highest [...]
The UK wants flying taxis in its skies from 2028 – will it happen? May 6, 2026 The government has pledged nearly £50 million to accelerate the rollout of flying taxis and commercial drones across the UK, with ministers targeting the first regular air taxi services as soon as 2028. The £46.5m package – delivered through the Civil Aviation Authority – has been designed to cut regulatory red tape and lay the [...]
UK needs a minister for drones to prepare for modern warfare October 21, 2025 As autonomous warfare spending edges towards a quarter of the MoD’s budget, it makes sense to appoint a dedicated minister for drones.
Drones, AI, space: where to invest amid defence tech boom April 1, 2025 The world is rearming at a dizzying pace. Global defence spending has surged at an annual rate of 4.2 per cent since 2020 – that’s four times faster than pre-pandemic levels, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. By 2030, that figure is expected to hit $3.4tr, reflecting rising geopolitical tensions and the race [...]
Russian drone and missile attacks kill eight in Ukraine February 1, 2025 At least eight people have died overnight as Russian drone and missile strikes continued to pound Ukraine’s towns and cities, local officials said. Meanwhile, Moscow’s troops continued their grinding advance through the country’s east. A Russian missile strike on an apartment block in the Ukrainian city of Poltava killed at least seven people and injured [...]
Amazon reveals which UK location will get Prime Air drone deliveries first January 28, 2025 Amazon has revealed where in the UK it intends to start launching Prime Air drone deliveries. The US tech giant has chosen Darlington as the first site and will now set about lodging planning applications with the local authority. Amazon added that it is also seeking clearance from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) for the [...]
Ukraine destroys scores of Russian drones as long-range attacks continue September 7, 2024 Scores of drones were shot down over Ukraine on Saturday as the country continues to face increased long-range bombardment from invading Russian forces. The Ukrainian Air Force said 67 drones were launched over the country overnight, with air defences active in 11 regions, including in the capital, Kyiv. Fifty-eight drones were shot down, with three [...]
Israel aims strikes at Lebanon as Hezbollah launches attack August 25, 2024 Israel launched a wave of air strikes across southern Lebanon early on Sunday in what it said was a pre-emptive strike on Hezbollah. It came as the militant group said it had launched hundreds of rockets and drones to avenge the killing of one of its top commanders last month. The heavy exchange of fire [...]