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.

FY26 NDAA: facts, figures, and the reasons why

FY26 NDAA passes US House, moving closer to Senate vote and Trump signature Record $900.6bn defence budget prioritises operations, personnel,…
UK MoD names paratrooper who died in Ukraine

The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has named the soldier who died in an accident in Ukraine as 28-year-old Lance…
Ajax AFV labelled “utter shambles” as MP asks Pollard, “are you ashamed?”

A senior UK government minister has revealed assurances were given by service chiefs and other officials that the Ajax armoured…
Ukraine’s DOT-Chain delivers as Russia claims Pokrovsk capture

DOT-Chain has proved a notable success in bringing agility to Ukrainian defence procurement Russia claims to have seized the strategic…
Budget delivers little as UK Defence Investment Plan wait goes on

The UK’s Autumn Budget, leaked to the media in contravention of parliamentary policy, outlined a series of tax and spend…

British Army forced to suspend use of new Ajax armoured vehicle

British Army crews operating the Ajax armoured vehicle over the weekend reported excessive noise and vibrations Some personnel required medical…
Will Ukraine swallow what the US is forcing down its throat?

A US-led peace plan appears be the gaining political steam, although it reportedly requires Ukraine to cede territory Russia will…
Amid a “new era” of threat, is the UK a weak link in Nato?

The UK is increasingly thought of as a non-peer ally as its armed forces are hollowed out by successive governments…
TNT and CNBC: GlobalData provides explosive analysis

Amid a rearmament surge by Western militaries resulting from the Ukraine-Russia war, demand for explosive propellent has seen considerable investment…
Ukraine targets recruits and retention with new military contracts

Ukraine will introduce new pay scales for military contracts in early 2026, adding new perks In excess of one million…