The F-15 Eagle is one of those aircraft that refuses to die. It first flew in 1972 and an upgraded version remains in service today. Along with the B-52, KC-135, CH-47 Chinook, and C-130, it seems destined to achieve the same 60-year milestone.

According to a House of Commons briefing £10.8 bn or 19% of the UK's £56.4 bn defence budget goes on the Defence Nuclear Enterprise (strategic deterrent & infrastructure). This means we spend £45.6 bn on conventional defence or 1.6% of GDP. researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CB...

This is the best summary of the current geopolitical situation I have seen. Sir Alex Younger (head of MI6 from 2014-2020) is a genuine expert and provides concise insight into a complex situation. Not just some talking head with an opinion. Really worth watching. www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9pL...

The low recoil 105mm Hawkeye system is interesting, normally seen on light vehicles, this short video clip showcases it on a towed carriage for additional mobility and flexibility

@michaelshurkin.bsky.social interviewing @ndrummond.bsky.social about the trends in land warfare.

This week's decision by Germany to order the Type 212CD submarine is significant. As this comparison shows, the 212CD is not merely an updated 212A, but a completely new design. It's much bigger with a stealthy diamond shape hull, so should have longer sea legs. (images @covertshores.bsky.social)

The KNDS Dingo's best features are not best-in-class-protection or unmatched off-road performance, but rather the fact that it uses commercial chassis, the Mercedes-Benz Unimog. With parts widely available from an extant global supply chain, Dingo is seriously affordable both to buy and to operate.

If Trump decides to go on supporting Ukraine, this will be the best possible news for the rest of Europe. We need Putin to withdraw his forces from the region. Unfortunately, when he does, it will not be the end. Aided by China and Iran, he will re-group and re-arm before trying again.

If Britain can't afford an army that looks something like this, then something is wrong with this country. Eight brigades: two heavy, two medium, two light, and two SF. All our NATO allies have at least something similar. If we want to operate in partnership with them, this is what it takes.

Enough said.

I have now been an advisor to KNDS Germany for 5 years. Over this time, the world has changed drastically. So I’m glad we’re supplying Boxer to the British Army via a UK production line. I always believed that Boxer would be an outstanding capability. Nothing has changed my mind about this.

The UK government has pledged to spend 2.5% on defence. Problem is that it’s own calculations say that 3.6% is needed. UK military budget must rise by 56%, Ministry of Defence calculations say on.ft.com/4fxc71c

Since the end of the Cold War, NATO armies have become smaller. Many have compensated for a lack of mass by adopting increasingly capable and sophisticated armoured vehicles. As Ukraine shows, the problem with this approach is that combat vehicle fleets are soon depleted by high intensity combat.

Video on how to restructure the Army for large improvements by 2030 without writing a blank cheque. A lot of deep work has gone into the numbers and structure behind the presentation overview.

My latest blog post at UKLandPower.com is a video rather than a written article. It looks at how the Army could be restructured to deliver against General Sir Roly Walker's aspirations to double Army lethality by 2027 and triple it by 2030. uklandpower.com/2024/12/13/r...

My latest blog post at UKLandPower.com is a video rather than a written article. It looks at how the Army could be restructured to deliver against General Sir Roly Walker's aspirations to double Army lethality by 2027 and triple it by 2030. uklandpower.com/2024/12/13/r...

“My dad is very much looking forward to welcoming you back to the United Kingdom.” Consensus is that the Prince of Wales did an excellent job of charming President Elect Trump, our most important ally and partner.

Sweden and Denmark have smaller, less well funded armies than the UK, but even so, they still see the importance of having a modern IFV for their infantry. CV90. It just works doesn't it.

FN SCAR H-PR chambered in 6.5x48 mm Creedmoor. This calibre stays supersonic longer than 7.62x51 mm NATO, shoots flatter, further, and has less recoil. It's become a standard US SOCOM calibre in both rifles and machine guns. Or as one SF shooter described it: "It's boringly accurate at 600 metres."

Ukraine is starting to match the quantity of artillery rounds being fired by Russia. Very soon the quality of its artillery systems will also exceed the capabilities of Russian systems. We read a lot about drones but it is artillery that is most wearing down Putin’s ability to wage war.

Latest blog post: “Time to take Russia seriously.” uklandpower.com/2024/11/25/t...

Triangular spinners? Bell tests stop-fold tiltrotor #X-plane design for #DARPA SPRINT project. Also reveals potential C-130-size operational vehicle with chined spinners that conceal blade fold and pitch mechanisms and reduce drag at high speed. SPRINT aiming for #VTOL and 400kt cruise. #aviation

“OpenAI… is partnering with Anduril, a military contractor, the two companies announced Wednesday. As part of the partnership, OpenAI will integrate its software into Anduril’s counterdrone systems” www.theverge.com/2024/12/4/24...

Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, Chief of the Defence Staff, has issued a stark warning to Russia, declaring that any direct attack on the United Kingdom would provoke an "overwhelming response" from NATO. ukdefencejournal.org.uk/?p=55082

Boxer RCT30 with Rheinmetall's 30x173 mm Mk 30 cannon fires both armoured piercing and programmable airburst ammo, enabling it to engage both ground and aerial targets.

I just saw this. A reminder that we didn’t need, that you can’t do a deal with the devil.

I spy @warmatters.bsky.social (July 2025) book prominently featured in the @hurstpublishers.bsky.social catalog - chuffed for you mate (is that correct lingo?)

The Type 26 frigate is likely to be the most capable anti-submarine warship when it enters UK service. Standout features include an acoustically quietened hull, bow sonar, towed sonar array, 72 vertical launch missile cells, 127 mm gun, Artisan radar, 2x Phalanx 20 mm CIWS, and a Merlin helicopter.

I keep hearing positive reports about Leopard 1 MBTs operating in Ukraine. Although it dates back to 1965 with production ending in 1984. Appliqué armour has given it a new lease of life. it's proving to be reliable and agile, but this should be no surprise, since it was designed by Porsche.

The ICE Group Thames-Class is a low-cost 2,000-tonne ocean-going patrol vessel. Similar in size to the Royal Navy's River-Class OPVs, the ICE design is more modular and flexible. With a 57 mm gun and other weapons, plus helicopter deck / hangar, it's a practical and affordable corvette for GP tasks.

Leopard 2A8. The addition of Trophy APS and M230LF Counter-UAS cannon restore the battlefield primacy of the Main Battle Tank.

The debate about aircraft carriers is interesting. It is centred on two things: vulnerability to hypersonic missile threats and affordability.

Your weekly reminder that the British Army needs a turreted cavalry Boxer with a medium calibre turret, ATGMs, and UAS to provide fire support for its infantry Boxers.

The new hypersonic aircraft being developed by Lockheed Martin is broadly similar to the Top Gun Dark Star. But it isn't a Mach 9 capable aircraft - more like Mach 5. Even so, it will be faster than anything China has and ideal for delivering hypersonic missiles from high altitude.

An anti-tank guide missile knocks the turret off a T-54/55. This video clip reminds us that ATGMs like Javelin and NLAW remain a vital capability that we must retain and enhance. The challenge is to make these systems more affordable.

The top military capabilities that Britain needs to be investing in listed in order of priority:

A word of caution to those responsible for the UK’s Strategic Defence Review. It’s absolutely right that we should invest in technology that has the potential to give us a competitive advantage. Drone swarms, hypersonic weapons, deployable networks, and air defence all need to be priorities. But...

The KNDS Dingo 3 weighs 14.8 tonnes and is the best protected vehicle in its weight class. Utilising Mercedes-Benz’s proven Unimog chassis it also offers exceptional cross-country performance. But its best feature is something that’s become an increasing priority: its affordability.

If Britain is in an undeclared state of war with Russia, any peace deal with Ukraine that afford Putin a breathing space will allow him to refocus his energies on other perceived enemies such as us. Even if America bales on Ukraine, Europe cannot afford to.

Wow. Here is one to brighten up your morning. The first images of the restored interior of Notre Dame cathedral. Breathtaking. In just five years France did it

Out: 2% In: 3%

Latest blog post: “Time to take Russia seriously.” uklandpower.com/2024/11/25/t...

lol China's state media is sad about Bluesky because it's not an easy propaganda distribution channel like X (and Facebook) www.semafor.com/article/11/2...

HOW BEST TO USE AJAX It might be risky for the British Army to deploy Ajax as originally intended, because Ukraine shows us that independent recce units operating well forward are vulnerable to ATGM and UAS.

What next for military small arms? The US Army is adopting a new 6.8x51 mm weapon and ammunition to meet its NGSW requirement. Developed by SIG, the new MCX Spear rifle won’t be a universal calibre, but definitely has the potential to replace 7.62x51 mm NATO. (1 of 6)

Drones and UAS are still in their infancy, but are evolving at breakneck pace. FIVE important trends have become apparent: 1️⃣ A $5,000 drone can now do what a $500,000 one could do 18 months ago, with prices coming down as sophistication increases, just as it did with mobile phone technology. (1/3)

Anduril’s Altius 600M is part of a larger family of low-cost, attritable drones that can be used for strike, surveillance and EW tasks. Payload is similar to Javelin. Loiter time is 40 minutes. This is exactly the kind of system the British Army needs to issue as widely as possible.

According to official feedback, Leopard 2 MBTs donated to Ukraine have performed well. They’re reliable and easy to operate. Their 120 mm guns can eliminate any other AFV they come across. Inevitably, some have been lost, but their crews have survived to fight another day.

There's been some discussion about what the British Army would bring to the party if it had to "fight tonight." Given current geopolitical tensions, it's important to have a truthful conversation about this. The diagram below shows the Army structure as defined by the 2021 Integrated Review. (1/9)

It was right to retire the British Army's Thales Watchkeeper WK450 UAS. It took far too long to bring it into service and by the time it arrived, newer and better systems were available. It was also difficult to operate. The question is what do we replace it with? (1/6)