All posts tagged: defence

Politics Home Article | John Healey Set To Push For More Defence Investment To Stay In Britain

Politics Home Article | John Healey Set To Push For More Defence Investment To Stay In Britain

Published by Sam Flores

3 min read17 min Exclusive: Defence Secretary John Healey is set to argue that more defence investment must stay in Britain. Healey plans to make a speech at the Good Growth Foundation (GGF) on Tuesday evening, at which he is expected to argue that increased defence investment in the UK and support for British SMEs must deliver visible benefits for jobs, businesses and local communities, to sustain higher public support for higher military spending. The Times reported on Friday that Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who is starting a fightback against a potential challenge to his leadership, is expected to approve an £18bn increase in defence spending. Last week, Healey threw his support behind Starmer to stay on as PM, despite more than 90 Labour MPs calling for him to set out a timetable for his departure, and multiple ministers resigning from government. The defence secretary’s speech will likely draw from a new report by GGF, a progressive independent think tank, which is set to be published on Monday. The report proposes reforms to the country’s defence industry …

Is Europe getting its act together on defence? Multiple threats prompt EU rearmament – Talking Europe

Is Europe getting its act together on defence? Multiple threats prompt EU rearmament – Talking Europe

Published by Sam Flores

The European Union is aiming to boost its defence capacities as part of a plan first called ReArmEU, when it was presented just over a year ago, and now known as Readiness 2030. This as European intelligence agencies warn that the bloc could face some form of major conflict by that date. Various threats have shifted the EU mindset when it comes to security: the war in Ukraine, of course, but also US President Donald Trump’s intimidation of fellow NATO members, plus the war in the Middle East. But concrete action has been hampered by fragmented defence markets, industrial rivalries and different procurement systems. In this episode we look at what more the EU can do – and how it can inject more efficiency and common sense into what it is already doing. Programme prepared by Perrine Desplats, Isabelle Romero and Oihana Almandoz Talking Europe © FRANCE 24 Source link

Royal Navy to send HMS Dragon to Strait of Hormuz | World | News

Royal Navy to send HMS Dragon to Strait of Hormuz | World | News

Published by Sam Flores

Royal Navy warship HMS Dragon is being sent to the Middle East in preparation for a potential international mission to safeguard shipping through the blockaded Strait of Hormuz. The Type 45 destroyer will “pre-position” in the region, ready to join the UK and French-led initiative once hostilities cease between Iran and US-Israeli forces, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said. A fragile ceasefire remains in place, despite American forces hitting two Iranian tankers allegedly attempting to breach a US blockade of the strait. Donald Trump is attempting to put pressure on Iran by preventing ships travelling to or from its ports along the narrow waterway, restricting Tehran’s ability to export oil. The Strait of Hormuz — through which 20% of the world’s oil supply usually passes through — has effectively been closed since early March. Iran began stopping shipping traffic from passing through the chokepoint in response to US-Israeli strikes, causing disruption to supply chains and oil prices to surge. Earlier this week, a French container ship was struck in the Strait of Hormuz, injuring several …

Dubai under missile fire for second day in a row as Iran launches new attacks | World | News

Dubai under missile fire for second day in a row as Iran launches new attacks | World | News

Published by Sam Flores

Dubai has come under attack from Iran once again as the UAE fends off yet more missiles from Tehran. In a statement on Tuesday, the UAE’s National Crisis Emergency and Disaster Management Authority said: “Air defenses are now dealing with a missile threat. Please remain in a safe place and follow the warnings and updates on official websites.” In a graphic shared alongside the message on X, the authority urged people not to “approach, touch, or photograph any fragments or objects that have fallen as a result of successful air interceptions, and allow the relevant authorities to assess the situation.” The UAE said it had engaged a number of missiles and drones launched from Iran on Monday, May 4. The defence ministry said its air defence systems engaged 12 ballistic missiles, three cruise missiles and four drones. It is understood that one missile struck a petroleum site in the eastern emirate of Fujairah. Fujairah’s Media Office said a drone sparked a fire at the site. One person posted on social media: “Big boom heard in …

Humiliation for Starmer as UK warship HMS Iron Duke taken out of service | Politics | News

Humiliation for Starmer as UK warship HMS Iron Duke taken out of service | Politics | News

Published by Sam Flores

The Royal Navy has been left with only five active frigates after another warship was withdrawn, it has emerged. It is believed HMS Iron Duke is unlikely to set sail again, heaping further pressure on the stretched Senior Service. HMS Iron Duke has reportedly been stripped of her weapons and sensors. The Type 23 frigate has not been to sea since October and has been effectively withdrawn from active service, according to specialist website Navy Lookout. It comes less than three years after the warship completed a five-year life extension programme, costing £103 million. The Navy’s Duke-class Type 23 frigates have an end of service date in 2035 but are gradually being retired. There has been no formal decommissioning announcement regarding HMS Iron Duke. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said any decision will be announced “in the usual way”. Retiring HMS Iron Duke would leave the Navy with just five frigates, with HMS Richmond’s decommissioning this year confirmed. The Type 23s are mainly used to monitor potential Russian activity in waters around the UK, with …

Allies jolted on defence as Trump pulls troops from Germany

Allies jolted on defence as Trump pulls troops from Germany

Published by Sam Flores

America’s NATO allies put a brave face Monday on a US decision to withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany, but warned it was proof Europe needs to step up for its own security, and fast. US President Donald Trump cast fresh doubts over the future of the alliance as he announced Washington was to scale back its largest troops contingent in Europe, after a spat with Berlin over the Iran war. Source link

NATO chief says Europeans have ‘gotten message’ from Trump on defence

NATO chief says Europeans have ‘gotten message’ from Trump on defence

Published by Sam Flores

Europeans have “heard” US President Donald Trump’s message of frustration over the Iran war and are “stepping up”, NATO chief Mark Rutte said on Monday after Washington announced it would withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany. “European leaders have gotten the message,” Rutte said before talks with European leaders in Armenia. “Europeans are stepping up,” Rutte insisted ahead of a European Political Community meeting dominated by the twin security threats posed by the Ukraine and Middle East wars. Source link

State pension triple lock ‘will have to be scrapped’ if Putin starts WW3 | UK | News

State pension triple lock ‘will have to be scrapped’ if Putin starts WW3 | UK | News

Published by Sam Flores

High-profile spending items like the triple lock and benefits could be scrapped to cover troop mobilisation against Russia (Image: Getty) If Britain were to go to war with Russia’s Vladimir Putin, the state pension triple lock would need to be scrapped, defence and Whitehall insiders believe. Funding a war effort puts a huge strain on Government defence funding and would push spending far beyond the current target of 2.5% of GDP by 2027. As a result, high-profile spending items would need to be scaled back, suspended or shelved to fund a massive mobilisation of extra troops, equipment and civilian defence, with securities such as the triple lock, benefits and net-zero potentially on the line. While the Government has insisted it is already increasing defence spending as a deterrence against all-out war, there are fears in Whitehall that a conflict could be triggered by a miscalculation. READ MORE: Russia threatens to attack King Charles with horror strike on Buckingham Palace READ MORE: State pensioners under 76 given full £44.20 extra cash in May There are currently …

Two US service members missing after joint military exercises in Morocco

Two US service members missing after joint military exercises in Morocco

Published by Sam Flores

Two US service members are missing in southwestern Morocco after taking part in annual multinational military exercises in the North African country, the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) said Sunday. The service members are US army soldiers who went missing while on a hike, a US defence official told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity as they were not allowed to speak publicly about the issue. “They were not actively taking part in any training. The day’s exercises had concluded, and, from our understanding, they were out on a recreational hike,” the official said. Read moreWashington to pull some 5,000 US troops from Germany as rift over Iran war widens AFRICOM said the US, Morocco and other countries participating in the African Lion exercise have launched a search and rescue operation. “The incident remains under investigation and the search is ongoing,” it said in a statement. The incident happened on Saturday at about 9pm, the Moroccan military said, near the Cap Draa Training Area near Tan Tan, close to the Atlantic Ocean. The terrain …