The Defence industry briefing
The month in defence in news, views and numbers
In numbers
£715bn
Funding for the Pentagon requested by the Biden Administration
1,000
The number of jobs being cut by Babcock this year
$130.2m
Current unit cost of a US Air Force F-35
$2.8bn
US Air Force budget for B-21 Raider development in 2021
36
Mnimum number to fill the UK's medium helicopter requirement
From our sites
Defence Command Paper cuts: IFVs, tanks and army personnel numbers
The UK MOD's Defence Command Paper confirms previously rumoured cuts to troop numbers, infantry fighting vehicles and main battle tanks would be cut.
SMEs set to benefit from UK Defence and Security Industrial Strategy
Small to medium enterprises (SMEs) are set to benefit from the UK’s new Defence and Security Industrial Strategy which promises to refresh the MOD commitment to cooperate with industry.
Royal Navy to lose two Type 23s under future fleet plans
The UK Integrated Review and Defence Command Paper have set out that the Royal Navy will retire two of its Type 23 Frigates early as it sets the stage for a future fleet of new ships and autonomous systems.
In quotes
Strategically, Russia has to understand that Ukraine belongs to the world of democracies, to the Western world, and the West will not allow Russia to shatter Ukrainian democracy and sovereignty.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba at a press conference with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg.
This planned increase in US personnel underscores our commitment to Germany and the entire NATO alliance.
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin announcing 500 more US troops would be based in Germany.
Credit: L3Harris
On TWitter
In Pictures
South Korea has officially unveiled a prototype of its new, indigenously-built, KF-X fighter that will eventually replace the country’s F-4D/E Phantom II and F-5E/F Tiger II aircraft. Credit: Credit Republic of Korea Cheong Wa Dae
The US Air Force has revealed and named its newest fighter, the F-15EX Eagle II. The aircraft will be the first Air Force aircraft to be tested and fielded from beginning to end, through combined developmental and operational tests. Credit: US Air Force
The Honourable Artillery Company’s Light Guns fire a Death Gun Salute at the Tower of London to mark the death of Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh. Across the United Kingdom, in Gibraltar and on HM Ships at sea, saluting batteries fired 41 rounds at one round every minute for 40 minutes. Credit: MOD
A Royal Air Force Typhoon aircraft departs for a sortie over the Middle East on Operation Shader, armed with Storm Shadow Cruise missiles. Credit: MOD
HMS Queen Elizabeth visits Scotland as part of preparations for her first operational deployment. Credit: MOD
The British Army has sent almost 2,000 troops to Liverpool to help with the mass testing of residents for Covid-19. Image: Crown Copyright / MOD