All articles by Richard Thomas

Richard Thomas

Richard is editor-in-chief for defence and transport at GlobalData. He has worked the UK defence beat since 2014, and previously the defence and diplomatic beats in Muscat, Oman, from 2008-2013.

UK MoD confirms Shadow Mk2 upgrade axed due to delivery delays

The RAF’s Shadow fleet plays a key, but hugely secretive, role in the gathering of electronic intelligence It was planned…
Budget delivers little as UK Defence Investment Plan wait goes on

The UK’s Autumn Budget, leaked to the media in contravention of parliamentary policy, outlined a series of tax and spend…
Is the UK’s F-35 fleet irrevocably broken?

On the eve of a premature declaration by the UK that its F-35 stealth fighter fleet has reached full operating…
Amid a “new era” of threat, is the UK a weak link in Nato?

The UK is increasingly thought of as a non-peer ally as its armed forces are hollowed out by successive governments…
Ukraine plans to acquire 100 Rafale fighters from France

Ukraine has taken the first steps to acquire Rafale fighters from France, along with advanced air defence systems The move…

UK turns to private sector to meet ISTAR pilot training demand

UK official confirms discussions with private sector to assist pilot training for intelligence gathering fleet have taken place The UK…
BAE Systems’ legal bid fails to stop strikes at F-35 and Typhoon hubs

BAE Systems had attempted to block industrial action due to take place at its Warton and Samlesbury sites The UK…
NAO: UK MoD did not have “appropriate authorisation” for key defence costs

The UK’s National Audit Office has examined Ministry of Defence spending into key nuclear defence costs and the Afghan resettlement…
Türkiye Eurofighter deal saves UK Typhoon factory – for now

Türkiye has ordered 20 Eurofighter Typhoon combat jets in a deal worth over £5bn, with BAE Systems a major beneficiary…
UK defence aerospace sector in crisis as November strikes loom

Influential UK union Unite has been balloting members in the UK defence sector in recent months on the prospect for…