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.

IDF sources components for worn out Merkava tanks

The Israeli Ministry of Defense (MoD) has secured a multi-million-dollar deal for Merkava main battle tank (MBT) and Namer armoured…
Drones now account for 80% of casualties in Ukraine-Russia war

The majority of combat casualties in the Ukraine-Russia war are now being caused by one-way attack drones, superceding the lethality…
US looks to prioritise Panama in snub to Europe and Ukraine

In yet further indication of the detachment of Washington from its old allies in Europe, it looks likely that US…
British Army’s Challenger 3 programme “impacted” by delays

The British Army’s Challenger 3 programme, planned to deliver 148 upgraded Challenger 2 main battle tanks (MBT) into service, has…
UK moves to war-spec Ajax AFVs with main gun thermal sleeve

The British Army’s Ajax armoured fighting vehicles (AFV) will be fitted with new thermal sleeves to surround the platform’s 40mm…

Ukraine opens up combat drone units to receive Gen Z recruits

The Ukrainian Ministry of Defence (MoD) has expanded the number of brigades available for new Gen Z-age volunteers to join…
UK MoD told to spend 10% of equipment budget on “innovative” tech

The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has been directed to spend 10% of its equipment budget on “innovative technologies” moving…
UK on the outside (for now) of new EU defence funding plan

The UK will be limited in its ability to invest into European Union (EU)-related defence programmes to just 35% of…
IT²EC 2025: land domain dominates synthetic training market

The global military simulation and training market, valued at $30.2bn in 2024, is projected to show at a compound annual…
UK to receive 180 “deployable” Ajax AFVs and variants by year-end

The UK’s Ajax armoured cavalry programme, intended to provide the British Army with a new generation of armoured fighting vehicles…