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: France defence market (2026–2035)

France’s defence budget is forecast to rise sharply through 2031 Acquisition in areas like munitions will increase significantly Eurosatory highlighted…
UK does not have the money to ‘fix’ the DIP: NAD official

NAD chief: no money to fix the Defence Investment Plan—delays will fund priorities DIP is months late and squeezed from…
UK military chief signals cuts incoming in defence plan

UK military chief signals the Defence Investment Plan will mean cuts or delays to capabilities Savings likely come from slowing…
Forecasts: Italian defence market (2026–2035)

Italy’s defence budget rose from $27.4bn (2022) to $37.7bn (2026), driven by the Ukraine-Russia war Spending will keep growing, reaching about $42.6bn by 2031…
Former Para appointed new UK Defence Secretary

Dan Jarvis replaces John Healey as UK Defence Secretary after Healey’s resignation on 11 June Jarvis takes over as the…

UK Government’s plan to avoid defence scrutiny branded ‘utter disgrace’

UK Parliament Speaker Lindsay Hoyle furious at rumours the DIP will be released when Parliament is not sitting He called…
Snapshot: fewer than 30% of UK F-35B fleet configured for Block 4

UK figures show only 13 of 47 F-35Bs are at TR-3 (Block 4 gateway); 34 remain TR-2 Four TR-2 jets…
Fidelity vs Scale: Global Defence Technology 158

This latest issue of Global Defence Technology once more brings you all the insight and analysis into the technologies, policies,…
Influential workers’ union warns UK Government against DIP “betrayal”

Unite warns UK defence spending in the delayed DIP must go to UK firms PAC says the lack of a…
UK Defence Investment Plan: three funding scenarios

Overdue DIP frustrating UK SMEs, amid Labour infighting and election concerns Reported £28bn funding gap fuels MoD–Treasury clash Most likely: partial…