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Defence & Security Systems International Volume 1 2025


Editorial Editor Patrick Kingsland, Production manager Dave Stanford Group art director Henrik Williams Designer Martin Faulkner


Commercial Client services executive Ruchita Marwaha Sales manager Andrew Hinton andrewhinton@btmi.com


Defence & Security Systems International is published by Business Trade Media International. Registered in England No. 06212740.


www.defence-and-security.com


ISSN 2042-6240 © 2025 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, photocopying or otherwise, without prior permission of the publisher and copyright owner. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information in this publication, the publisher accepts no responsibility for errors or omissions.


The products and services advertised are those of individual authors and are not necessarily endorsed by or connected with the publisher. The opinions expressed in the articles within this publication are those of individual authors and not necessarily those of the publisher.


SUBSCRIPTIONS Single issue price: UK £44 EU €68 US $89 RoW $89 One year:


Two year: Email: cs@btmi.com


Standard House, 12-13 Essex Street, London, WC2R 3AA Tel: +44 207 936 6400 Printed by Stephens & George Print Group


Challenges and commitments – the road ahead


A


s 2025 unfolds, Defence & Security Systems International continues to chronicle the critical advancements, persistent challenges and transformative innovations shaping global defence landscapes. This edition brings together reported insights on strategic developments across land, sea and digital domains – from the slow march of legacy system upgrades to the cutting-edge demands of future conflict. In the heart of Britain’s evolving ground warfare capability lies the Challenger 3 main battle tank programme. Somewhere in the midpoint of the timeline to replace the ageing Challenger 2, the British Army remains years away from fielding its next-generation armoured spearhead. Richard Thomas delves into the current state of the programme, shedding light on procurement realities, integration challenges and what this delay means for Britain’s future battlefield presence.


Under the sea, the stakes are no less critical. Nuclear-powered submarines, particularly those capable of launching ballistic missiles, remain the silent sentinels of strategic deterrence. Richard Thomas returns to explore which nations are investing the most into this formidable capability, profiling the top five global spenders and the doctrinal imperatives driving their underwater ambitions.


UK £67 EU €104 US $135 RoW $136 UK £105 EU €163 US $215 RoW $216


As warfare evolves into the sixth-generation era, simulation training is fast becoming a cornerstone of preparation – but adaptation isn’t keeping pace everywhere. With the pace of technological change outstripping institutional inertia, John Hill investigates how industry is pushing the boundaries of simulation while allies and partners scramble to keep up at the tactical and technical levels. His report raises urgent questions about readiness in the face of digital-first warfare. And finally, amid the rapid rise of artificial intelligence in defence systems, the ethical compass guiding its development has never been more crucial. Responsible AI strategy cannot be a box-ticking exercise – it must involve rigorous and continuous oversight. Lara Williams explores how maintaining corporate ethics in AI development is not only a question of policy, but also a mission-critical requirement for building trust in autonomous systems deployed in sensitive, high-stakes environments.


From armoured vehicles and deep-sea deterrence to digital training and ethical AI, this issue captures the shifting terrain of global defence. As ever, our contributors bring clarity and depth to the complex questions facing policymakers, warfighters and industry leaders alike.


Patrick Kingsland, editor Defence & Security Systems International / www.defence-and-security.com 3


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