United Kingdom: Terrorism, Homeland Security & Defence

Recent drone incidents at Leipzig/Halle Airport and in Lithuanian airspace have exposed critical vulnerabilities in European aviation security, raising complex questions about civil liability, State responsibility, and the adequacy of existing regulatory frameworks. As hostile UAS operations grow more sophisticated, airports and airlines must urgently reassess their contractual arrangements, insurance coverage, and operational resilience planning to address this evolving threat.

The Strait of Hormuz has become a critical flashpoint for global maritime trade following the outbreak of hostilities involving Iran in 2026. With approximately one-fifth of global oil trade passing through this vital waterway, commercial shipping now operates under unprecedented security threats including missile attacks, drone strikes, and mine risks. Marine insurance premiums have skyrocketed from 0.125% to as high as 10% of vessel values, fundamentally altering the economics of Gulf trade and forcing th

The UK has introduced a new designation regime under the National Security Act 2023, creating criminal offences for supporting designated bodies involved in foreign power threat activity. Commercial organizations must now screen against these non-sanctions designations, which carry penalties of up to 14 years' imprisonment and unlimited fines, as the designated entities will not appear on the UK Sanctions List.

The families of the Southport attack victims have responded to the Government's acceptance of the inquiry's findings, welcoming legislative commitments while pressing for individual accountability. As the Government moves to introduce new laws targeting mass casualty attack planning and violence-fixated individuals, questions remain about whether institutional reforms alone are sufficient without consequences for those whose failures made the tragedy possible.

The UK Government's Defence Investment Plan represents a strategic shift toward autonomous systems, artificial intelligence, and advanced manufacturing, creating significant opportunities for the North West's defence technology sector. With substantial investment flowing into uncrewed platforms, cyber resilience, and digital infrastructure over the next decade, regional businesses must understand how intellectual property protection will determine their competitive advantage. This analysis examines the plan

The UK Government has unveiled a £298bn Defence Investment Plan alongside a £50bn Defence Export Fund, signaling a strategic shift toward mainstream defence investment opportunities. From space infrastructure and munitions manufacturing to AI innovation and real estate development, these initiatives are creating diverse entry points for private capital across the defence sector.

In this post we provide an overview of recent UK sanctions developments, including an update on the UK government's sanctions enforcement strategy and upcoming changes to trade sanctions licensing.

The former CEO of French cement conglomerate Lafarge has been sentenced to six years in prison for paying terrorists in order to further the company’s business interests.

AlixPartners’ David Owusu-Gyebi, Diane Shaw, Harry Malins, and Sita Sonty wrote this opinion article about how aerospace & defense companies can stake their ground in space infrastructure.