Think Defence
@thinkdefence.bsky.social
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UK defence and security blog at www.thinkdefence.co.uk
๐ก๐๐๐ช Explore its history and capabilities โก๏ธ
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NLAW - Think Defence
NLAW is a lightweight, short-range anti-tank weapon designed to engage main battle tanks and other fighting vehicles up to a range of 600m.
https://www.thinkdefence.co.uk/2022/11/nlaw/
2 days ago
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๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฝ๐ผ๐ผ๐ป ๐๐ป๐๐ถ-๐ฆ๐ต๐ถ๐ฝ ๐ ๐ถ๐๐๐ถ๐น๐ฒ Investigate its history and capabilities โก๏ธ
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Harpoon Missile - Think Defence
The RGM-84 Harpoon is a ship-launched, all-weather, over-the-horizon, anti-ship missile that is carried by Royal Navy Type 23 and Type 45 vessels.
https://www.thinkdefence.co.uk/2022/11/harpoon-missile/
3 days ago
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A brief thread on construction plant for light defence forces. Not every unit can be fully mechanised or armoured, transport or terrain constraints force compromise. What are the alternatives to picks and shovels?
4 days ago
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One of the largest sources of instability is the lack of access to food as populations rise. Fisheries will be under pressure, conflict may may follow. Learn more โ๏ธ
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Illegal Fishing and the British Overseas Territories - Think Defence
One of the greatest sources of instability is the lack of access to food as populations grow. The world's fisheries will be increasingly under pressure, and conflict will follow.
https://www.thinkdefence.co.uk/2021/08/illegal-fishing-and-the-british-overseas-territories/
4 days ago
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I consider the mobility challenges of operating in the High North. Click to read more โก๏ธ
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Vehicle Mobility in the High North - Think Defence
The โHigh Northโ presents a number of complex challenges for vehicle mobility
https://www.thinkdefence.co.uk/2021/08/vehicle-mobility-in-the-high-north/
6 days ago
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At the TD site, posts are grouped into categories, each containing a number of posts. Explore the category โฌ๏ธ
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Miscellaneous Archives - Think Defence
The Miscellaneous category is composed of or containing a variety of things, but with a defence and security focus
https://www.thinkdefence.co.uk/category/miscellaneous/
7 days ago
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Let's talk aboutโฆ The overburdened infantry is discussed with clockwork like regularity. Excessive weight carried by infantry soldiers severely impacts their physical and mental agility, whilst dramatically increasing injury rates. THREAD
8 days ago
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๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐จ๐ป๐ฟ๐ถ๐๐ฎ๐น๐น๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐ฉ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐น๐ถ๐๐ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ถ๐ฟ An examination of this incredibly versatile aircraft โก๏ธ
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The Unrivalled Versatility of the Beechcraft King Air - Think Defence
The Beechcraft King Air 350 hits the sweet spot for payload, speed, endurance, cost, ease of systems integration, and deployability. It is widely used in the
https://www.thinkdefence.co.uk/2021/09/the-unrivalled-versatility-of-the-beechcraft-king-air/
9 days ago
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NEW BLOG POST Continuing the Resupply Reduction series, this one looks at power and comms
www.thinkdefence.co.uk/2025/11/resu...
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Resupply Reduction โ Power - Think Defence
In short, interesting, but not really any resupply reduction advantages.
https://www.thinkdefence.co.uk/2025/11/resupply-reduction-power/
10 days ago
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The Mastiff was introduced for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. The the best example of UOR, but does it have a life beyond? Click to read โก๏ธ
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A Second Wind for Mastiff - Think Defence
The Mastiff vehicle family has a long history, but recent enhancements for Mali have given them a new lease of life and opened the possibility of a more
https://www.thinkdefence.co.uk/2021/04/a-second-wind-for-mastiff/
10 days ago
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๐ฆ๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐๐๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ธ ๐๐ถ๐ด๐ต ๐ฉ๐ฒ๐น๐ผ๐ฐ๐ถ๐๐ ๐ ๐ถ๐๐๐ถ๐น๐ฒ An examination into its history and capabilities โก๏ธ
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Starstreak High Velocity Missile - Think Defence
Starstreak High-Velocity Missile was designed to provide close air defence against conventional air threats such as fixed-wing fighters and late unmasking helicopter targets.
https://www.thinkdefence.co.uk/2022/11/starstreak-high-velocity-missile/
11 days ago
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๐๐ซ๐๐๐ง๐ข๐ฅ (๐ฆ๐ฝ๐ถ๐ธ๐ฒ ๐ก๐๐ข๐ฆ) Investigate its history and capabilities โก๏ธ
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Exactor (Spike NLOS) - Think Defence
SPIKE NLOS, is an electro-optically guided missile with a range of up to 25 km in service with the British Army, designated EXACTOR
https://www.thinkdefence.co.uk/2022/11/exactor-spike-nlos/
13 days ago
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Space debris is an increasing concern Dive into removal systems and a question on their potential military uses โก๏ธ
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Defence Applications of Space Debris Removal Systems - Think Defence
It is estimated there are more than 8,000 tonnes of space debris in low earth orbit, spread across tens of thousands of objects.
https://www.thinkdefence.co.uk/2021/04/defence-applications-of-space-debris-removal-systems/
14 days ago
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Let's talk about... Aviation on the Falkland Islands before the 1982 Conflict
15 days ago
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105 mm L118 Light Gun has been used by the British Army since 1974, it won't last forever and the world has changed since its introduction. Replacement options are? Read more โ๏ธ
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The L118 105ย mm Light Gun Replacement - Think Defence
The 105 mm L118 Light Gun has been in service with the British Army since 1974 and has been used continually since.
https://www.thinkdefence.co.uk/2022/02/the-l118-105mm-light-gun-replacement/
16 days ago
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๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ฐ๐ฐ๐ฒ๐๐๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐บ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐-๐ญ๐ณ ๐๐น๐ผ๐ฏ๐ฒ๐บ๐ฎ๐๐๐ฒ๐ฟ It won't last forever Examine the options โก๏ธ
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A Successor for the Amazing C-17 Globemaster - Think Defence
The RAFโs strategic lift heavy capability is centred on its fleet of Boeing C-17 Globemaster aircraft. With an Out of Service Date (OSD) of 2040, its successor has yet to reveal itself, but letโs talk about it anyway.
https://www.thinkdefence.co.uk/2021/08/a-successor-for-the-amazing-c-17-globemaster/
17 days ago
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Compact and designed to be stored and launched like a round of ammunition, tube-launched UAS will see more common deployment. But, what should the diameter of the tube be? Explore the optionsโก๏ธ
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Tube Launched UAS - Think Defence
As small UAS (drones) become more capable and ubiquitous, there will be a focus on maturing and developing the means of storage, carriage, and deployment.
https://www.thinkdefence.co.uk/2022/06/tube-launched-uas/
18 days ago
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Investigate the history & capabilities of the innovative 40 mm CTAS โก๏ธ
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The 40ย mm Cased Telescoped Armament System (CTAS) - Think Defence
The 40ย mm CTAS, developed by the UK and France, is a medium calibre automatic weapon. It includes the CT Cannon, Ammunition Handling System, Controller,
https://www.thinkdefence.co.uk/2024/04/the-40mm-cased-telescoped-armament-system-ctas/
20 days ago
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Investigate a rehash of an old concept โก๏ธ
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Revisiting the Light Strike Concept - Think Defence
Light Strike was a new wine in old bottles idea I had a while ago, a concept based on modernising Cold War-era ideas of a highly mobile anti-tank screening
https://www.thinkdefence.co.uk/2022/03/revisiting-the-light-strike-concept/
21 days ago
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Lets discussโฆ Infantry Handcarts THREAD
22 days ago
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๐ ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐๐น๐ฒ๐ ๐๐ ๐ What are its history and capabilities โก๏ธ
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Martlet (Lightweight Multirole Missile) - Think Defence
The Thales Lightweight Multirole Missile (LMM) is called Martlet in Royal Navy service
https://www.thinkdefence.co.uk/2022/11/martlet-lightweight-multirole-missile/
23 days ago
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๐ฆ๐๐ฝ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ ๐๐น๐น ๐ง๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ถ๐ป ๐ ๐ผ๐ฏ๐ถ๐น๐ถ๐๐ ๐ฃ๐น๐ฎ๐๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ๐บ (๐๐ง๐ ๐ฃ) I look at the back-story of this amazing vehicle. โก๏ธ
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Supacat All Terrain Mobility Platform (ATMP) - Think Defence
The Supacat All Terrain Mobility Platform (ATMP) is designed to carry heavy loads over extreme terrain.
https://www.thinkdefence.co.uk/2023/05/supacat-all-terrain-mobility-platform-atmp/
24 days ago
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Examine the history of the Swingfire anti tank missile
www.thinkdefence.co.uk/2024/10/swin...
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Swingfire ATGW - Think Defence
Swingfire was a British wire-guided anti-tank missile developed in the 1960s
https://www.thinkdefence.co.uk/2024/10/swingfire-atgw/
25 days ago
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๐๐ฟ๐ผ๐ป๐ฒ๐ ๐ถ๐ป ๐ฎ ๐๐ผ๐ An investigation into the box, outside and inside โก๏ธ
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Drones in a Box - Think Defence
The previous post looked at the dimensional constraints and compatibility issues of putting drones in tubes, this one will look at drones in boxes.
https://www.thinkdefence.co.uk/2022/06/drones-in-a-box/
27 days ago
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Tethered Uncrewed Aerial Systems offer one solution to the Achilles heel of the vast majority of small UAS, their operating endurance. Click to read more โก๏ธ
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Tethered Drones - Think Defence
Tethered drones (or uncrewed aerial systems - UAS) offer a potential solution to the Achilles heel of the vast majority of small UAS, their endurance.
https://www.thinkdefence.co.uk/2021/12/tethered-drones/
28 days ago
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A Royal Marine retrieves a Ghost Drone after operation. The Ghost is a single rotary blade UAS drone capable of surveillance of ground with minimal sound
about 1 month ago
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Investigate the history of the Future Command and Liaison Vehicle (FCLV) โ Panther. Click to read โก๏ธ
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Future Command and Liaison Vehicle (FCLV) โ Panther - Think Defence
The Future Command and Liaison Vehicle (FCLV) was a British Army programme to replace Ferret, and some Saxon, FV432 and Land Rover vehicles.
https://www.thinkdefence.co.uk/2024/10/future-command-and-liaison-vehicle-fclv-panther/
about 1 month ago
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Soldiers from Mortar Platoon, 4 Scots Mortar in action during exercise STEADFAST DART at the Smardan Training Base in Romania. The 81 mm mortar endures, even in a world of drones
about 1 month ago
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๐ฃ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ๐๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ฉ ๐ฃ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ถ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐๐๐ถ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐๐ผ๐บ๐ฏ A look at its history and capabilities โก๏ธ
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Paveway IV - Think Defence
Paveway IV is a highly accurate precision-guided bomb carried by the RAF Typhoon, F-35B, and Protector RPAS.
https://www.thinkdefence.co.uk/2022/11/paveway-iv/
about 1 month ago
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The Royal AIr Force Aerobatic team, the Red Arrows transit from RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland to their home unit of RAF Waddington.
about 1 month ago
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๐ช๐ถ๐ป๐๐๐ผ๐ป ๐๐ต๐๐ฟ๐ฐ๐ต๐ถ๐น๐น ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ก๐ฒ๐น๐น๐ถ๐ฒ Nellie, the shortened name for an usual trenching machine designed thanks to Churchill Click to find out more โก๏ธ
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Winston Churchill and Nellie (the Trenching Machine) - Think Defence
Nellie was the nickname used for a unique trenching machine that owed its existence to Winston Churchill, it was not, however, a great success.
https://www.thinkdefence.co.uk/2023/08/winston-churchill-and-nellie-the-trenching-machine/
about 1 month ago
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29 Commando Royal Artillery operate the 105 mm L118 Light Gun during Commando Force training in Norway. The UK Commando Force is reaffirming its commitment to the high north by deploying to the Arctic circle for Winter Deployment 25
about 1 month ago
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๐ฆ๐ฒ๐ฎ ๐ฉ๐ฒ๐ป๐ผ๐บ ๐ ๐ถ๐๐๐ถ๐น๐ฒ Dive into its history and capabilities โก๏ธ
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Sea Venom - Think Defence
Sea Venom is an advanced replacement for the battle-proven Sea Skua air-to-surface missile, equipping Royal Navy Wildcat helicopters
https://www.thinkdefence.co.uk/2022/11/sea-venom/
about 1 month ago
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The unique ESARCO vehicles were developed as a private venture after lessons identified by the British Army in the 1982 Falklands Conflict, namely, the need for lightweight high mobility load carriage.
www.thinkdefence.co.uk/2024/11/the-...
about 1 month ago
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Let's discussโฆ The Swingfire ATGW ๐ง๐๐ฅ๐๐๐
about 1 month ago
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As the British Army will eventually introduce Boxer RCH155, an article that looks at options of, instead, doubling down on Archer
www.thinkdefence.co.uk/2024/11/doub...
about 1 month ago
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A 16 part series of posts that explores many aspects of field defences, from vehicle ditches to counter UAS nets Start at Part 16, the summary
www.thinkdefence.co.uk/2025/01/fiel...
about 1 month ago
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A brief series of posts that examines options for restoring mobility to long-range ground launched precision weapons
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Pocket Rockets โ Requirements and Challenges - Think Defence
A short series that examines options for restoring mobility to long-range ground launched precision weapons such as GMLRS and NMS
https://www.thinkdefence.co.uk/2025/02/pocket-rockets-requirements-and-challenges/
about 1 month ago
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NEW BLOG POST Resupply reduction, food and rations
www.thinkdefence.co.uk/2025/10/resu...
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Resupply Reduction โ Rations - Think Defence
In this part of the 'reducing resupply', a look at rations, and food more generally.
https://www.thinkdefence.co.uk/2025/10/resupply-reduction-rations/
about 1 month ago
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The JCB Fastrac is a high speed farm and utility tractor that has an unusualability to operate at higher road speeds than conventional designs. In this post, I look at options for defence use
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The JCB Fastrac - Think Defence
The JCB Fastrac is a high-speed agricultural and utility tractor that has an unusual ability to operate at higher road speeds than conventional designs.
https://www.thinkdefence.co.uk/2025/02/the-jcb-fastrac/
about 1 month ago
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In this article, Matthew Ford talks about the British Army and the (new) calibre debateโฆ
www.thinkdefence.co.uk/2025/02/the-...
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The False Promise of New Technology - Think Defence
In this guest post, Matthew Ford discusses the British Army and the (new) calibre debate.
https://www.thinkdefence.co.uk/2025/02/the-false-promise-of-new-technology/
about 1 month ago
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Read more at the link
www.thinkdefence.co.uk/2023/05/anti...
about 1 month ago
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Of the three, therefore, Merlin was not only the most technically challenging but also, the one that would have had the most longevity against modern opponents. All moot, of course, it never entered service, and STRIX did.
about 1 month ago
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In contrast, Bussard used a home-on laser guidance system, modern laser detectors and obscurants are also designed to counter these, and someone somewhere has to designate the target.
about 1 month ago
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STRIX was also autonomous but used a passive IR guidance system. Modern obscurants are designed to conceal targets and counter IR homing guidance.
about 1 month ago
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Like Brimstone, it used a millimetric wave radar and target recognition system. Launched into a โtarget boxโ, the round did the rest, the mortar crew could be away on their toes before it hit. Using radar meant it was significantly more robust against countermeasures.
about 1 month ago
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Merlin was certainly more ambitious than either STRIX or Bussard, the smaller diameter meant all the guidance systems had to be squeezed into a significantly smaller body, but the autonomous nature of that guidance system set it apart.
about 1 month ago
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At the risk of being repetitive, like EFOG-M and Polyphem, if their time had come, I donโt doubt they would have been effective.
about 1 month ago
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The normal range was 4.5 km but using a sustainer motor kit, the maximum range was 7,500m, nearly doubling the effective range of Merlin, although it had a smaller acquisition area of 150m2
about 1 month ago
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FFV Ordnance and SAAB Missile Systems started the development of STRIX in 1983, with the first firing taking place in 1988, and entering service in 1994. The final development was funded by the Swedish Defence Material Administration for SEK300m
www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCmq...
about 1 month ago
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