Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Defence
  • /
  • JFD welcomes RAdm (Ret) John Weale, CB, OBE, as Senior Defence Advisor

Defence

JFD welcomes RAdm (Ret) John Weale, CB, OBE, as Senior Defence Advisor

JFD has welcomed Retired Rear Admiral John Weale, CB, OBE, as Senior Defence Advisor to support the company’s continued growth within both the UK and international defence markets.

Above: RAdm (Ret) John Weale, CB, OBE, Senior Defence Advisor, JFD.
Courtesy JFD

RAdm Weale (Ret) has gained over 35 years’ experience within the Royal Navy, most recently serving as Rear Admiral Submarines (RASM). After his initial training in 1985 he became a volunteer for the Submarine Service and served in both conventional and nuclear submarines.

Advertisement
Security & Policing Rectangle

After selection for the Submarine Command Course, he served on various further deployments and an exchange to the US Submarine Force before being promoted to Commander of HMS Trafalgar. He was awarded an OBE in 2008 during his time as Chief of Staff for the UK command of CTF158 in Southern Iraq. Following promotion to Rear Admiral, John assumed the role of Assistant Chief of Naval Staff Submarines (ACNS(SM)), Flag Officer Scotland and Northern Ireland (FOSNI) and RASM.

Richard Dellar, JFD Managing Director said: “RAdm Weale brings a wealth of knowledge and experience gained over a long and distinguished career within the Royal Navy. We are welcoming him to JFD at an exciting time as our defence capabilities continue to grow and we have many exciting opportunities on the horizon. We have an ambitious strategy for growth across our core capability areas and the expertise and practical experience RAdm Weale brings to the team will only help to ensure our success.”

As the world leader in Submarine Rescue, JFD provides services to 80 countries and 33 of the world’s navies including the Royal Navy, Australian, Singapore and Korean, as well as providing the NATO Submarine Rescue System with escape and rescue solutions. The company has recently restructured its global leadership team in order to strengthen its local commitment in both Australia and Asia. In addition to Submarine Rescue, the company is focusing on core capability areas in the maritime environment covering Submarine Platform Solutions and Special Operations. This will bring wider expertise together in the areas of Life Support Systems; Hyperbaric and Atmosphere management and Special Operations capabilities.

JFD are proud to provide a very high level of system availability and readiness across a number of critical systems for navy clients globally. This ranges from the NSRS NATO Submarine Rescue system through to defence life support systems.

Advertisement
ODU RT

RAdm John Weale, (Ret) CB, OBE said: “I am delighted to have been invited to join JFD as Senior Defence Advisor to the Board. The company has a fantastic international reputation, committed to keeping submariners and divers safe, and is involved in some essential and special projects that have been the focus of my attention throughout my career. Located less than 30 miles from Her Majesty Naval Base Clyde, JFD is well positioned to support the Royal Navy’s Submarine fleet. I look forward to working with JFD team in support of its next growth phase.”

 

 

Advertisement
General Atomics LB
Cross Manufacturing to expand AS9100 accreditation

Aerospace Defence

Cross Manufacturing to expand AS9100 accreditation

20 January 2026

To meet demands from industry, Cross Manufacturing is looking to expand AS9100 accreditation to all three of its manufacturing plants, increasing its capacity for the design and production of precision engineered high temperature metallic sealing rings, retaining rings, brush seals and machined components for aerospace and defence applications.

GeoCue partners with Coptrz to expand TrueView LiDAR in UK drone market

Aerospace Defence Security

GeoCue partners with Coptrz to expand TrueView LiDAR in UK drone market

20 January 2026

UK drone specialists Coptrz have joined forces with GeoCue to offer the complete TrueView LiDAR product range, from entry-level to engineering-grade solutions.

JFD Global to collaborate with ST Engineering Marine in Singapore

Defence Security

JFD Global to collaborate with ST Engineering Marine in Singapore

19 January 2026

James Fisher Defence (JFD Global) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ST Engineering Marine to explore new opportunities for collaboration in Singapore and beyond.

QinetiQ extends Typhoon engineering services contract with MoD

Defence

QinetiQ extends Typhoon engineering services contract with MoD

19 January 2026

QinetiQ today announced a five-year extension worth £205 million, with the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD), to continue to deliver mission critical engineering services for the Royal Air Force’s Typhoon aircraft.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Battlefield tactics to protect UK prisons against drones

Defence Security

Battlefield tactics to protect UK prisons against drones

19 January 2026

The Deputy Prime Minister has tasked the Ministry of Justice to learn from Ukraine’s expertise, to harness their wartime innovation and tackle prison drones.

BAE Systems to enhance E-2D Advanced Hawkeye depot capability

Defence

BAE Systems to enhance E-2D Advanced Hawkeye depot capability

16 January 2026

The US Navy has awarded BAE Systems a $62 million contract to begin a new capability in the current depot line at the Fleet Readiness Center Southwest in San Diego, California for the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft interrogator system.

Advertisement
Security & Policing Rectangle
Advertisement
General Atomics LB