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 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…
Can the UK defend the Falkland Islands?

UK defence relies on RAF Mount Pleasant and a small tri-service garrison Argentina is upgrading forces across the domains, increasing…
Forecasts: Finland defence market data (2026-2035)

Finland’s defence spend is forecast to rise to nearly $12bn, driven by Russia tensions and Nato accession Growth expected across air,…
Forecasts: Spain defence market data (2026-2035)

Spain’s defence spend is forecast to reach $65.8bn by 2031 (9.1% CAGR), driven by procurement and RDT&E PITSD earmarks €10.47bn for modernisation; fixed-wing and land vehicles grow steadily to 2035…