RUSI Defence Systems

Despite criticisms, the Royal Navy’s five-year deployment of HMS Tamar and Spey to the Indo-Pacific region offers a compelling alternative vision for maritime defence engagement and experimentation.

Data is increasingly understood as the fuel of advantage in future combat, but while opportunities may arise from ubiquitous access to it, leveraging data effectively will require carefully designed end-to-end infrastructure.

Although defence has access to considerable cyber talent, accessing it to maintain persistent vigilance remains a challenge

During and prior to the Second World War, the Royal Navy operated a large number of Coastal Forces. Since the 1980s, these have dwindled to just a few unarmed patrol boats more usually employed for navigation training. Recent changes seek to regenerate expertise in this vital aspect of naval warfare.

Sanctions against Russian military companies and unsatisfactory management in the defence industry are hampering Russia’s plans to modernise its Tu-160 fleet and develop the PAK DA next-generation stealth strategic bomber.

Ukraine’s use of uncrewed surface vehicles (USVs) against the Russian Navy in 2022, alongside a host of major naval exercises involving USV trials, point to a coming technological revolution in naval warfare.

Enterprises in the missile and missile defence sectors are increasingly applying the principles of digital engineering in development of their weapon systems, including nuclear delivery systems.

Pseudo-satellite platforms offer a range of potentially useful ISR capabilities for military forces, but harnessing them successfully will require new approaches to mission planning, sensor management and procurement

The benefits of space-based imaging were clearly apparent in the run-up to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This may inform thinking in Taipei, but also planning for counter-ISR measures in Beijing.

The development of the TF-X represents several decades of Turkish effort towards achieving independence in military systems and consequently greater flexibility in defence policy. It is also aimed at accelerating the rise of Turkey as a defence exporter.