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%)…
RTX’s Raytheon awarded multi-year contract for SM-6 interceptors

Raytheon (RTX) won a contract worth up to $24.4bn over five years, with two option years, to produce SM-6 missiles…
US Navy conducts SINKEX off UK coast

US Navy sank ex-USS Klakring in a North Atlantic SINKEX using SM-6 and Mk 48 UK frigate HMS Portland also…
UK admits millions wasted on Dreadnought SSBN ‘fruitless’ payments

MoD confirms £4.4m lost on Dreadnought “unproductive hours” Another Dreadnought-linked contract was terminated after security reviews; details withheld With £23.2bn…
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;…

Two years on from 2024 fire, impact on HMS Achilles remains a secret

A UK statement suggests HMS Achilles may have been impacted by the 2024 DDH fire The MoD would not confirm…
UK confirms SSN-AUKUS will start production in 2027

First UK SSN-AUKUS starts build in 2027; entry into service planned for late 2030s £4bn already contracted; UK boat numbers…
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…