The chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster has cleared IonQ’s acquisition of British quantum computer hardware manufacturer Oxford Ionics Ltd, approving the deal subject to conditions designed to mitigate national security risks. In a final order published Thursday, the chancellor required the parties to: Host current and future generations of Oxford Ionics’ trapped-ion quantum computing...
Category: General News
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Shield AI, Taiwan’s AIDC Sign Teaming Deal to Boost Indigenous Drone, Defense Capabilities
Shield AI has entered into a teaming agreement with Taiwan’s Aerospace Industrial Development Corp. to expand the island’s ability to field, support and scale advanced autonomous systems. The partnership covers sustainment, training and autonomy integration, with Shield AI describing the move as a step toward strengthening Taiwan’s sovereign defense and aerospace base. “As the largest...
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Rheinmetall Nears Takeover of NVL to Expand Into Naval Sector
Rheinmetall is days away from acquiring German shipbuilder Naval Vessels Luerssen as part of its push into the naval domain, CEO Armin Papperger told Breaking Defense at the DSEI trade show in London. Papperger said NVL’s strong order book allows Rheinmetall to expand by integrating missile systems, launch technologies, simulation tools and electronic warfare capabilities...
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Thales Strengthens Royal Navy Fleet With Next-Gen Reconnaissance System
Thales, in collaboration with Austrian manufacturer Schiebel, has developed and delivered the Peregrine mini helicopter to the United Kingdom. The Royal Navy recently conducted flight trials of the uncrewed aircraft system from the deck of Type 23 frigate HMS Lancaster. The Peregrine is designed to enhance the military’s intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities. Equipped with...
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UK, France and Italy Advance MBDA’s STRATUS Missile Program Into Development Phase
MBDA has renamed its Future Cruise/Anti-Ship Weapon program as STRATUS as it enters the development phase. British Defence Procurement and Industry Minister Luke Pollard and Armament General Engineer Gael Diaz De Tuesta of France’s defence procurement agency DGA announced the rebranding at DSEI UK 2025 in London. They also introduced a new design for STRATUS...
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Bechtel Selects Martina Strong to Lead Central Europe, Middle East Operations
Bechtel has appointed Martina Strong, the former U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia, as the regional president for Central Europe and the Middle East. Strong brings nearly 30 years of experience in foreign service to the engineering and construction firm. “Martina’s combination of diplomatic skill and strategic leadership will be vital in advancing Bechtel’s priorities across...
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Pratt & Whitney Lands NATO Deal to Sustain E-3 Sentry Engines
Pratt & Whitney, an RTX unit, has secured an $18 million contract from the NATO Support Procurement Agency to maintain the TF33 engines of the military alliance’s fleet of E-3 Sentry surveillance aircraft. The Airborne Warning & Control System fleet has been in service for more than 40 years. According to the NATO website, the...
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Ultra Cyber, DTC Partner to Secure HF Radio Communications for Allies
Ultra Intelligence & Communications has announced that its U.K. cyber division has partnered with Domo Tactical Communications, based in Ashburn, Virginia, to develop encrypted high-frequency radio platforms for allied forces. The partnership involves Ultra Cyber integrating its advanced cryptographic data protection tools with DTC’s non-ITAR HF radio technology. Non-ITAR means the technology is not controlled...
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UK, Ukraine Sign Tech-Sharing Deal to Develop Air Defense Drones
The United Kingdom has signed a technology-sharing agreement with Ukraine to enhance cooperation in developing air defense unmanned systems and other military equipment. British Secretary of State for Defence John Healey said the deal provides the U.K. industry with access to the latest equipment designs, assists Ukraine in defending against Russian invasion and strengthens the...
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Nokia, Kongsberg Partner on 5G Defense Communications Under New MOU
Nokia has signed a memorandum of understanding with Norway’s Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace to advance tactical communications technologies for military customers. The company said the agreement will merge its portfolio of 4G, 5G and private wireless solutions with Kongsberg’s expertise in defense communications to deliver secure, resilient and interoperable battlefield networks. Initial efforts will focus...