The governments of Germany and the United Kingdom have committed to ensure access to secure, safe, affordable and clean energy for citizens of both nations. On Friday, Claire Coutinho, U.K. secretary of state for energy and net zero, signed an agreement with German Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck to enhance cooperation on shifting to renewable energy sources and...
Category: Europe
Germany Denies Leaving Future Combat Air System Project
A German Ministry of Defense spokesperson has denied a report in The Times that Berlin may exit from the Future Combat Air System/SCAF next-generation fighter project it is partnered with France and Spain. The unnamed spokesperson told Breaking Defense that “Germany is sticking to the joint project” and the partnership is building the first FCAS...
QinetiQ Appoints William Blamey as UK Defense Interim Chief Executive
QinetiQ, headquartered in Hampshire, London, has appointed William Blamey as interim chief executive for the defense sector. In his new role, Blamey will lead the defense technology company’s efforts to meet the needs of the U.K. Ministry of Defence and international allies. Blamey, who announced his transition to the new role on LinkedIn, is an...
Ex-Pentagon AI Director Joins Adarga’s Global Advisers
Adarga, a London-based AI software solutions provider, has appointed Michael Groen, a former director of the U.S. Department of Defense’s Joint Artificial Intelligence Center, to the company’s global advisory board. Groen’s operational and command experience, especially in military intelligence, will support Adarga’s ongoing U.S. expansion and projects with AUKUS and other allies, according to the...
UK Government Launches Engineering Biology for Defense Competition
The United Kingdom’s Defence and Security Accelerator, on behalf of the Ministry of Defence and the U.S. Department of Defense, is seeking engineering biology technologies that can address defense and security-related challenges. On Tuesday, the organization launched Themed Competition: Engineering Biology for Defence and Security Phase 2. It is now accepting proposals for innovations that apply engineering biology...
UK Awards $274M AI-Powered Supercomputer Contract
The UK government has awarded the University of Bristol a $274.1 million contract to design and develop an artificial intelligence-powered supercomputer. The effort is part of the United Kingdom’s project to establish an Artificial Intelligence Research Resource in the country to support the government’s goal of leading the world in AI advancements. To deliver the...
Colt Technology Services Agrees to Buy Lumen Technologies’ EMEA Operations for $1.8B
London-based Colt Technology Services, a digital infrastructure company, has signed an agreement to purchase Lumen Technologies’ Europe, Middle East and Africa business for $1.8 billion. According to a Lumen press release, the deal includes the sale of Lumen’s EMEA terrestrial and subsea networks, data centers and network equipment. Keri Gilder, Colt Technology Services CEO, said...
White House Facilitates Policy Discussions in Global Meeting to Combat Ransomware Attacks
The White House hosted the third meeting of the International Counter Ransomware Initiative in Washington, D.C., where delegates discussed new projects and policies to combat evolving cyberthreats. The 2023 edition of the CRI gathered 50 members, comprising 48 countries and two representatives from the European Union and the International Criminal Police Organization. During the two-day...
Accenture Acquires UK Government Digital Transformation Firm 6point6
Accenture has agreed to acquire technology consultancy firm 6point6. The acquisition, once completed, will expand Accenture’s presence and capability to support customers in the United Kingdom. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. London-headquartered 6point6 was founded in 2012. It offers digital transformation, cybersecurity and data services to the U.K. central government. Among its major...
Polish Armed Forces Receive Initial Delivery of AW149 Helicopters From Leonardo
Leonardo DRS handed two AW149 helicopters to the Polish Land Forces during a ceremony at the 25th Air Cavalry Brigade in Tomaszów Mazowiecki, Poland, on Monday. It is the Italian defense company’s initial delivery since the contract’s announcement in July 2022. According to Leonardo, the agreement with the Polish Ministry of Defence includes logistics, training...