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.

UK Government makes history with new Defence Secretary

Jarvis replaced by Wes Streeting in cabinet reshuffle Jarvis served just 40 days—the shortest on record Streeting becomes sixth Defence…
UK official fails to confirm 2027 timeline for Type 45 lasers

Senior official confirms £490m for directed-energy weapons, including DragonFire, but gives no Type 45 timeline The Defence Investment Plan still…
UK claims “expanding” F-35 fleet but no new fighters until 2030s

UK cites an “expanded” F-35 fleet, but simultaneously says no new F-35A/B buys this parliament With no jets in Lots…
Forecasts: United Kingdom defence market (2026-2035)

UK defence budget forecast to rise to $126.1bn by 2031, driven by acquisition and R&D Spend prioritises F-35s and submarines; acquisition and R&D…
Royal Navy’s continuous 140-year destroyer history to end in 2030s

Type 45 retirements in the mid-2030s will end the Royal Navy’s destroyer era Type 83 replacement cancelled: plan shifts to…

The Golden Fleet: The US Navy’s pursuit of the exquisite

In December 2025, US President Donald Trump announced the “Golden Fleet,” an initiative to strengthen the US Navy, anchored around…
Exposing the flaw in the UK’s Type 91 drone ships

MoD RfI implies the Type 91’s remote, low-maintenance launch silo may not exist yet Current VLS/silos need regular crewed maintenance—hard…
Royal Navy tests Nyan naval strike drone

Royal Navy trialled the Nyan one-way strike drone from XV Patrick Blackett under Project Vantage Made by BAE Systems’ Callen-Lenz,…
The Global Satellite Market Forecast (2026-2036)

Global satellite market grows $55bn (2026) → $89.4bn (2036) (5% CAGR); $743.3bn cumulative Earth observation leads (59.1%); North America tops regions (55.9%) Defence/dual-use demand rises…
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…