Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Defence
  • /
  • Sellafield security improvements recognised by ONR

Defence Security

Sellafield security improvements recognised by ONR

The UK's Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) has returned the Sellafield site to a routine regulatory regime for physical security after a period of enhanced oversight.

Image courtesy Sellafield

Inspectors cited a sustained period of improved performance, highlighting the close working relationship between ONR inspectors and Sellafield Ltd in achieving this outcome.

Physical security at Sellafield is delivered using a wide range of assets and capabilities and through an approach that includes defence in depth and armed response. A number of physical security assets and capabilities have been improved as part of the return to routine regulatory attention.

Advertisement
PTC rectangle

Regulatory attention levels are set by ONR and are assigned based on the regulator’s assessment of overall performance, considering a broad range of safety and security considerations and operational issues that a site is addressing.

Gary Wilkinson, head of security and resilience at Sellafield Ltd, said: "Following an action plan over many months, we have successfully met all the requirements set by ONR.

"This is a significant achievement and has been a big team effort from across the company – thank you to everyone involved in this important achievement."

Advertisement
ODU RT

Paul Dicks, ONR’s director of regulation for Sellafield, decommissioning fuel and waste, said: "We have worked closely with Sellafield Ltd through our enabling approach to ensure that the required improvements are delivered.

"I’m satisfied that Sellafield Ltd has demonstrated significant and sustained security improvements which has allowed us to return them to routine regulatory attention."

Sellafield Ltd currently remains in significantly enhanced attention for cyber security and collaborative work is ongoing to achieve the required improvements in this area.

Advertisement
ECS leaderboard banner
Valarian and 2F enter strategic partnership

Defence

Valarian and 2F enter strategic partnership

10 February 2026

Second Front Systems (2F) today announced a strategic partnership with Valarian, to advance sovereign defence systems across the UK and Europe, as NATO members increase commitments.

BAE Systems to provide allied nations with CMWS

Defence

BAE Systems to provide allied nations with CMWS

10 February 2026

BAE Systems has received Foreign Military Sales contracts from the US Army valued at $137 million to deliver its AN/AAR-57 Common Missile Warning Systems (CMWS) to allied nations.

Supacat highlighting HMT variant at WDS

Defence

Supacat highlighting HMT variant at WDS

9 February 2026

Supacat is attending the World Defense Show (WDS) in Saudi Arabia from 8th-12th February 2026, to discuss the latest High Mobility Transporter platform (HMT) variant, the Armoured Closed Cab capability, in the UK pavilion.

BlackTree Technologies to deliver AI capable equipment to British soldiers

Defence

BlackTree Technologies to deliver AI capable equipment to British soldiers

9 February 2026

British soldiers will be able to make faster, better decisions on the battlefield through thousands of new AI capable radios, headsets and tablets with futuristic sensor data.

Advertisement
Security & Policing Rectangle
UK Government introduces ‘fast track’ apprenticeships reforms

Aerospace Defence Security Space

UK Government introduces ‘fast track’ apprenticeships reforms

9 February 2026

Young people will be given a quicker route into high-quality jobs on major projects as the UK Government slashes red tape to fast-track the process.

Two-thirds of parents back apprenticeships as first choice after school

Aerospace Defence Security Space

Two-thirds of parents back apprenticeships as first choice after school

9 February 2026

To coincide with the start of National Apprenticeship Week 2026 (9th – 15th February), one of the UK’s largest apprenticeship providers, BAE Systems, has analysed Censuswide’s survey of the latest attitudes of young people and parents

Advertisement
PTC rectangle
Advertisement
General Atomics LB