The deal supports the UK government’s objective to replenish its land-based military platforms after some of the stocks were donated to Ukraine in response to Russia’s invasion.

The consortium will work on the latest order starting in 2025 at Babcock’s Devonport and Supacat’s Dunkeswell facilities.

Once operational, the HMT fleet will be used for off-road patrol, force protection, communication, and intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance or ISTAR missions.

“This contract cements the success of the Jackal programme and delivers a critical boost to the British Army’s fleet with a vehicle that is the most capable and versatile in its class,” Babcock Land Sector CEO Tom Newman stated.

“Babcock teams play a broad and critical role supporting capabilities across the UK’s armed forces; the production of 53 new Jackal 3 Extendas is an excellent example of this and at the same time securing 100 jobs in the South West region.”

More Than 200 Jackals Expected

London placed the initial order for 70 Jackal 3s in February 2023. One year later, Babcock and Supacat began the development of the vehicles, which at the time was revealed to be completed by the summer of 2024.

The consortium noted that the British Army has the option to procure up to 240 of the armored systems depending on its future requirements.

”Firstly, we are enormously proud that Supacat’s Jackal 3 ‘extenda’ is now adding to the Army’s Land Fleet which will help support [Chief of the General Staff’s] intent of increasing lethality with a modular high mobility platform,” Supacat Director Phil Applegarth commented on the latest contract.

“We have demonstrated the modularity and the ease of integrating specific mission winning systems and we look forward with continuing our collaboration with the UK MoD and our industry partners in the near future.”

“Secondly, we are enormously pleased that our partnership with Babcock and Devonport continues to produce Jackal 3 and now the Jackal 3 ‘extenda’, exemplifying The British Army’s Land Industrial strategy and the huge benefits to both the UK and local economies through social value.”

The post British Army Orders Additional Jackal 3 Transporters From Babcock, Supacat appeared first on The Defense Post.

The Taipan radar was accepted by the 5th Regiment Royal Artillery on June 28 at Larkhill Camp. 

It “offers the British Army rapid deployment and redeployment, high operational mobility, and precise counter-battery operations, locating an increased number of targets at greater range with reduced electronic warfare signatures, leveraging Saab’s Digital Antenna technology,” the company explained.

Mamba’s Replacement  

The Taipan is the intended replacement of Saab’s Mamba, which has been in service with the British Army since 2003.

In 2020, Saab upgraded the Mamba in 2020 under a 46-million-pound ($60 million) contract, extending its service life until 2026.

It is capable of locating artillery projectiles, rockets, and mortars from a distance of 50 kilometers (31 miles).

The Mamba features an active electronically scanned array to track incoming threats in three dimensions and is capable of handling more than 100 targets.

Project Serpens

The UK Ministry of Defence launched project Serpens in 2018 to replace a trio of weapon locating radars operable with the British Army: the Hostile Artillery Locating system, the AN/TPQ-49 lightweight counter-mortar radar, and the Mamba.

The project’s in-service date is 2026 with a retirement date of 2057. 

Like the Mamba, the other radars are completing their service in 2026.

“The team at Saab looks forward to continuing our support for the UK as it becomes the first user of the new Arthur current generation and next generation systems,” Group Managing Director Andy Fraser said.

Lt. Gen. Sir Andrew Gregory added: “Saab is our key partner for both Mamba and now Taipan and what it as a company has and continues to deliver to our Armed Forces is hugely impressive.”

“Mamba has more than proved its worth and Taipan is a step change in capability.” 

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In a recent report, the public spending watchdog revealed that over a quarter of the army’s training facilities are being used by Ukrainian military recruits undergoing basic infantry training.

As a result, British Army units bidding for training areas were reportedly rejected eight times more often in 2023 than the previous years.

The issue also nearly affected the Royal Marines, but they refused to compromise their own training needs, forcing the Ukrainian Marines to train in the Netherlands instead.

NAO head Gareth Davis has called on the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) to balance its support for Ukraine with its own strategic and defense needs.

“This includes making sure there are appropriate stocks of equipment and sufficient training provision for UK forces,” he noted.

Still Lacking

Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, the UK has trained more than 45,000 Ukrainian soldiers on its soil, according to the MoD.

Most of the trainees reported feeling better prepared for the battlefield.

Despite the significant resources allocated, some Ukrainian soldiers have found the training lacking in some areas such as counter-drone tactics and strategic vehicle use.

The MoD explained that they are unable to meet Ukraine’s counter-drone training requirements due to the existing military and civil aviation restrictions in the UK.

It also noted that the training does not include exercises involving military vehicles due to associated risks.

‘Outdated Training’

This is not the first time UK military training has been scrutinized publicly.

In July, senior air force official Blythe Crawford claimed that the country’s military training program is a decade out of date, affecting its preparedness for a full-scale war.

He further said nobody in the British Armed Forces is training for modern battlefield scenarios similar to what is observed in Ukraine.

The post UK’s Ability to Train Own Troops ‘Constrained’ by Ukraine Support: Report appeared first on The Defense Post.

The service’s 16 Air Assault Brigade recently ran a screening session to select who among its existing drone pilots can be enrolled in the jHub Drone Academy to further hone their skills.

The jHub promises to deliver a suitable training solution through the adoption of innovative technology and modern techniques.

During the screening, participants simulated a first-person view (FPV) drone operation using a 5-inch (13-centimeter) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and virtual reality goggles.

A laptop was also used to display simulated obstacles and other scenarios to aid the screening process.

Corporal Morgan McConnell, one of the soldiers who participated in the test, said FPV drones are typically difficult to control because they lack the GPS and stabilization software fitted to conventional UAVs.

“It’s going to take time to get to the stage of flying it instinctively,” he explained. “I’m looking forward to the challenge.”

Shortening the Kill Chain

FPV and kamikaze drones carry small explosive charges for attacking enemy positions and destroying armored vehicles from the inside.

In the UK, soldiers reportedly need to complete a three-week course to qualify as FPV drone pilots.

Senior UAV operator Sergeant Adam Barnes said that while this type of drone is harder to operate, it is much simpler, more adaptable, and relatively cheaper than other unmanned platforms.

An infantry unit can use FPV drones to reach and strike targets and eliminate the need to call in mortars, artillery, or an air strike to carry out the attack.

“It shortens the kill chain and gives a commander more options, making for a more efficient use of resources,” Barnes noted.

The post British Army Expands Soldier Kamikaze Drone Training appeared first on The Defense Post.

Speaking on the Money Maze podcast, former Chief of the General Staff Patrick Sanders warned that Britain will risk going to war with Moscow in five years if it fails to grow its supply of lethal weapons now.

He also reiterated his stance to increase the number of soldiers in the British Army to make the country capable of deterring Russia in case of an armed conflict.

According to Sanders, Moscow’s goal of attaining a quick victory in Ukraine and China saying its army needs to be ready to invade Taiwan by 2027 signal “a point of acute danger in around 2028 or so.”

“The best way to avoid that is by ensuring we are ready to fight, able to deter and prevent these conflicts from happening in this decade,” he stressed.

Sanders said he thinks the UK’s current ability to defend itself from missile attacks is “weak,” thus the need to immediately rearm its stockpiles.

Struggling Force?

The UK has pledged more than 7.6 billion pounds ($10 billion) in military aid to Ukraine since the Russian invasion began in February 2022.

Some lawmakers claimed that the donations significantly reduced the operational capability of the army, saying the service only has 157 mission-ready Challenger 2 tanks left.

The military has also been struggling with recruitment, with the UK Ministry of Defence reporting that more people quit the force than signed up last year.

“We need to ensure we can operate at scale,” Sanders stated. “That means regrowing our stockpiles, but it also means that the army … is capable of being grown rapidly.”

“All of that will take us between five and ten years.”

The post UK Needs to Regrow Stockpiles to Prevent War With Russia: Former Chief appeared first on The Defense Post.

Boresights are most commonly used to adjust and maintain the target systems of barreled weapons to ensure precision firing.

They also allow users to check the accuracy of their weapon and restore it in just a few minutes if necessary.

According to UK tender documents, interested vendors must be capable of providing an immediate requirement for 295 Boresight kits, with an initial delivery of 50 kits in four to six months.

The MoD estimates the contract value to reach 5 million pounds ($6.8 million), with a potential duration of one to five years.

Furthermore, the winning vendor may be contracted to deliver up to 400 Boresight kits for the Ajax vehicles.

Down-Selection

Interested firms are obligated to complete a pre-qualification questionnaire (PQQ) to be considered.

They are also encouraged to review the country’s DEFSTAN 05-138 (cybersecurity for defense suppliers) to ensure they can comply with the necessary control measures.

Based on the PQQs, the MoD will down-select three to five potential suppliers to proceed to the competition’s next phase.

The ministry’s Defence Equipment and Support arm will oversee the entire tender process.

IOC by 2025

The “heart of the British Army’s future armored fleet,” the Ajax is designed to offer superior lethality, survivability, and mobility to other infantry fighting vehicles.

It is reportedly the first British vehicle to be fitted with the Case Telescoped 40mm Cannon (CT-40 Cannon), in addition to a coaxially mounted 7.62mm L94 chain gun.

It also boasts advanced sensors with thermal imaging and cutting-edge optics to provide improved battlefield awareness day and night.

The tender for the Ajax’s Boresights was just in time for the UK’s target of having the vehicles achieve initial operational capability by December 2025.

The Ajax program suffered an eight-year delay after soldiers complained about noise and vibration when using the early trial versions of the vehicle.

The post UK Defense Ministry Opens Bid for Ajax Boresight Kits appeared first on The Defense Post.

Announced on the sidelines of the Farnborough International Airshow 2024, the contract has a total value of 176 million pounds ($227 million).

According to the ministry, the weapon is expected to bolster the British Army’s short-range air defense and the Royal Navy’s anti-surface warfare capabilities.

“Now more than ever, we need to ensure the UK Armed Forces and our allies are fully equipped to defeat the evolving global threats we face,” UK MoD procurement arm chief Andy Start said. “This order with Thales UK is a key element of that collective effort.”

Armed with Martlet missiles, a Wildcat helicopter from @RNASYeovilton flies around a range off the coast of Wales ready for the trials. The missile system will be on the Wildcats that deploy next year with @HMSQNLZ's carrier strike group

https://t.co/Ic3ixlV6Ft pic.twitter.com/XjQC9pTrS5

— Royal Navy (@RoyalNavy) May 24, 2020

The multi-role missiles will be produced at Thales’ facility in Belfast, supporting 135 jobs and the local supply chain.

Once delivered, they will be used on Stormer combat vehicles and Wildcat helicopters.

‘A Precision Solution’

Also known as the Martlet, the Lightweight Multirole Missile is designed to neutralize a wide range of conventional and asymmetric threats.

It is described as a precision solution that significantly reduces collateral damage and optimizes air defense operations.

Weighing only 13 kilograms (28.6 pounds), it boasts an operational range of six kilometers (3.7 miles) and a maximum speed of Mach 1.5.

According to Thales, the Martlet has been proven effective in engaging various targets, from drones, helicopters, and swarming fast attack craft to enemy armored vehicles.

Replenishing Stockpiles

The company did not provide the exact number of missiles ordered to avoid revealing sensitive information about UK stockpiles.

However, it said the munitions are meant to replenish supplies after Britain donated “hundreds” of the weapon to Ukraine.

“In a more dangerous world, we must continue to provide weapons to Ukraine but also replenish our own stocks,” British defense procurement minister Maria Eagle said.

The Ukrainian military has been using the lightweight missiles from the frontlines to fend off invading Russian forces.

The post UK Orders Lightweight Multirole Missiles From Thales appeared first on The Defense Post.

Air Commodore Blythe Crawford, who leads the service’s Air and Space Warfare Centre, said at a recent conference that “nobody” in the British Armed Forces is training for modern battlefield scenarios similar to what is seen in Ukraine.

He further claimed that even the military’s synthetic environments are focused on outdated tactics, which were suitable and effective a decade ago.

To address this, Crawford called on the military and government to take necessary data from Ukrainian frontlines and rapidly adopt it into training systems.

This, he said, would allow British soldiers to train “against the battlefield from 24 hours ago, rather than training against the battlefield from five to ten years ago.”

Crawford’s remark comes as pressure builds on the government to address vital gaps in military readiness.

‘Must be Ready for War in 3 Years’

NATO countries have significantly raised their defense spending amid concerns that Russia may attack one of them if it succeeds in Ukraine.

The UK could be targeted for being one of Kyiv’s most important military backers in the ongoing war.

Chief of the General Staff, Sir Roly Walker, has already said the British military should double its lethality and be prepared to fight a Ukraine-style war in three years.

By the end of the decade, he said he expects the armed forces to have tripled the firepower it has now.

‘Unfit for War’

Despite its recent investments in defense, concerns are mounting that the UK armed forces would not be able to survive an all-out war due to ongoing recruitment and stockpile shortages.

A defense committee hearing earlier this year revealed that the military is “consistently overstretched,” making it unfit for an armed conflict similar to the war in Ukraine.

It is also reportedly “too small” to survive a Russian invasion.

Government data released last month showed more people left the British military than signed up in 2023, further exacerbating its recruitment crisis.

The post UK Military Training Outdated by 10 Years: Senior Official appeared first on The Defense Post.

The demonstration aligns with the UK Ministry of Defence’s Land Laser Directed Energy Weapon (LDEW) Demonstrator program which seeks a ground vehicle-mounted capability to counter drones.

Held at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory Porton Down range in England, the event saw the weapon activated at full power while integrated with a British Army Wolfhound armored tactical support vehicle.

The trial concluded with the HELWS successfully neutralizing targets at more than 1,000 meters (3,280 feet).

“This high-powered firing is a significant step towards ensuring the UK Armed Forces can exploit this potentially game changing capability at pace so they have the edge against both current and future threats,” a statement from the UK defense agency said.

“This technology offers a precise, powerful and cost effective means to defeat aerial threats, ensuring greater protection for our forces.”

More Tests to Follow

London wrote that data from the activity will be used to further explore the applications of future LDEW systems against other threats.

Additional tests will also be facilitated with the British Army later this year to learn more about the HELWS capabilities and its real-world drone warfare scenarios.

“In successfully firing the first laser weapon integrated on a land vehicle in the UK, DSTL has proven that the Raytheon high energy laser weapon system can track, engage and defeat targets whilst mounted on a vehicle,” Raytheon UK Managing Director James Gray stated.

“We now look forward to the British Army experimenting with the weapon over the coming months and proving that the technology is battlefield ready.”

The post Raytheon HELWS Laser Weapon Completes First Fire for British Army appeared first on The Defense Post.

Troops from Leicestershire-based Royal Anglian Regiment are trying out a wearable laser detection system that reportedly warns if enemies are targeting personnel.

It does so by detecting the wavelengths of incoming lasers and relaying the crucial information to its users.

The soldiers are also testing an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) control worn on the body, which gives users the ability to remotely maneuver a drone and even pre-program it.

Other wearable tech being put through their paces are a drone thermal detection system, laser range finder, advanced digital day and night optics, and a mesh network that hops from one soldier’s radio to another for enhanced range.

Enhanced Operational Advantages

Integrating available defense technology into wearable tech is part of ongoing efforts to enhance battlefield awareness and allow faster tactical decision-making.

It is also aligned with the country’s Future Soldier program, which aims to deliver a modernized warfighting force by 2030.

According to Defence Science and Technology Laboratory official Jon Russell, the technologies being tested will soon help them gain a tactical advantage over enemies.

“Our aim is to develop the most capable armed forces in the world by merging different technologies to advance battlefield awareness,” he said.

The British Army plans to explore vehicle-mounted systems next.

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