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.

Forecasts: Global military ammunition market (2026–2036)

Market to more than double: $34.2bn (2026) to $75.7bn (2036) (8.3% CAGR) North America leads (39.5%), ahead of Europe (33.8%)…
GA-ASI tests airborne telecoms relay pod for HADR operations

GA-ASI tested SoftBank’s DRU telecoms relay pod on an MQ-9B Payload provides temporary cellular coverage for disaster/HADR response Capability could…
UK appears to reveal A400M fleet operating at 45% availability

UK A400M availability appears to be about 45% (around 10 of 22 aircraft daily) £190m Airbus deal aims to raise…
The secrecy of the UK’s new ‘Space Effects Squadron’

UK announces RAF No. III Space Effects Squadron to protect/counter threats to satellites Capabilities remain vague beyond non-kinetic effects and…
Forecasts: Global body armour market (2026-2036)

Market to grow from $3.5bn (2026) to $6.5bn (2036), led by hard armour North America leads; Europe is more balanced;…

Forecasts: Croatia defence market data (2026-2035)

Croatia’s defence budget is forecast to rise, driven by equipment modernisation Spending focus shifts to land and naval upgrades, including…
Lords Committee: UK-Poland defence treaty lacks ‘substance’

Lords committee says UK-Poland defence treaty lacks “substance” and detail Warns it’s unclear how the UK will fund the treaty…
Strategic Intelligence: Loitering Munitions (2026)

Market: ~$1.5bn (2026) → ~$2.8bn (2036); >$22bn total (6.4% CAGR). Demand: Europe 86%; Ukraine+Russia ~$14.2bn (66% of global spend). Drivers: AI/modularity/swarming + low…
Can the UK defend the Falkland Islands?

UK defence relies on RAF Mount Pleasant and a small tri-service garrison Argentina is upgrading forces across the domains, increasing…
Forecasts: Finland defence market data (2026-2035)

Finland’s defence spend is forecast to rise to nearly $12bn, driven by Russia tensions and Nato accession Growth expected across air,…