News Round-up Week 2 (2023)

A few of the most important stories from last week in the UK Defence and Security sector. Have a great week 3 everyone!

UK’s Strengthening Support: Sending Challenger 2 Tanks to Ukraine

Following a call between UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Downing Street has announced the U.K.'s agreement to provide the war-stricken nation with next-generation tanks in an effort to increase global military and diplomatic support to Ukraine.

This decision puts an end to speculation over whether London was going to send out Challenger 2 tanks in order to create mass for a second successful counteroffensive against Russian invaders. The Prime Minister outlined plans for the provision of these tanks, as well as additional artillery systems, with an estimated 300 tanks needed for the cause.

This will put pressure on Germany, as Chancellor Olaf Scholz weighs whether or not to send out Leopard 2 tanks. In order for this to happen, Berlin's permission is necessary, and Western defense ministers are expected to meet in Germany on Friday to allow partner countries like Poland and Finland to send their German-made Leopards to Ukraine.

With Warsaw already committing 14 Leopard 2 battle tanks to Ukraine and an international coalition being created, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's spokesman has declared an acceleration of support for Ukraine with the use of next-generation military technology.

UK and Japan agreed to historic Defence agreement

On Wednesday 11th January, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak signed a landmark defence agreement with his Japanese counterpart at the Tower of London. This Reciprocal Access Agreement will be the most significant defence treaty between the two countries since 1902 and will allow their forces to be deployed to each other's countries. The agreement comes shortly after the two countries collaborated on the Global Combat Air Programme and launched a new digital partnership to strengthen cyber resilience and semiconductor cooperation.

Rishi Sunak said:

“In the past 12 months, we have written the next chapter of the relationship between the UK and Japan - accelerating, building and deepening our ties. We have so much in common: a shared outlook on the world, a shared understanding of the threats and challenges we face, and a shared ambition to use our place in the world for global good, ensuring our countries prosper for generations to come.

This Reciprocal Access Agreement is hugely significant for both our nations - it cements our commitment to the Indo-Pacific and underlines our joint efforts to bolster economic security, accelerate our defence cooperation and drive innovation that creates highly skilled jobs.

In this increasingly competitive world, it is more important than ever that democratic societies continue to stand shoulder to shoulder as we navigate the unprecedented global challenges of our time.”

The leaders discussed trade, including the UK's accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), as well as Ukraine and global challenges. The (CPTPP), a free trade bloc with a combined GDP of ￡9 trillion and an estimated population of 500 million people. They also addressed Japan's current presidency of the G7, maintaining collective support for Ukraine as the anniversary of Russia's illegal invasion approaches, and the UK's support for Japanese Prime Minister Kishida's economic security goals, particularly in terms of supply chain resilience.

Babcock Paves the Way: First 3D Metal Parts Installed on UK's Armoured Fleets!

Babcock International Group has successfully produced the first 3D printed parts for installation on British Army in-service armoured fleets (Titan and Trojan vehicles).

This marks the first time a UK Ministry of Defence supplier has used 3D metal printed parts to repair and extend the life of the armed forces' armoured vehicles, addressing obsolescence challenges. The steel components have been fitted onto the vehicles' periscope system, and the additive layer manufacturing process will allow them to produce parts in a matter of days whenever and wherever they are needed.

The company recently opened a new additive manufacturing centre in partnership with Plymouth Science Park (PSP), and last year also reached an agreement with IAI and ELTA Systems to support the MoD's SERPENS programme.

Babcock chief technology officer Dr Richard Drake said: “This marks a major milestone in finding solutions for obsolete parts and in tackling resilience in the supply chain, some of the biggest challenges engineering and manufacturing businesses like ours are facing. We’re using disruptive technologies to address that.

“For us, this is part of a growing investment programme around advanced and Additive Manufacturing, which we can now progress to other areas of our business and that is hugely exciting for Babcock.”

HQ Field Army assistant chief of staff for equipment brigadier Phil Prosser said: “Additive has disrupted industry manufacturing processes and created an agile alternative to traditional mass manufacture.

“This ability to rapidly manufacture parts will allow our equipment to rapidly deploy on operations, and to stay in the fight for longer. This is battle winning activity and we are committed to this collaboration and will continue to learn at this impressive pace.”

Thanks for reading. Have a great week 3!