The United Kingdom is a frontline nation already in conflict with Russia at sea, in the air and in cyberspace, and the government must wake up to that reality in the wake of John Healey's resignation as Defence Secretary, Labour MP Graeme Downie has said.

NATO kicks off huge BALTOPS drill to deter Russia

Sailor in camouflage uniform saluting as a gray warship with the number 05 passes by on the water.
Around 6,000 troops from 15 NATO nations and a 20-ship task force have set sail from Gdynia for BALTOPS 2026, the alliance's biggest annual Baltic exercise.

NATO turns drone Task Force X to the Arctic

White research vessel sailing through icy water, its reflection visible; a small yellow unmanned aircraft floats in the foreground, mirrored on the surface.
NATO has launched Task Force X-Arctic, an eighteen-month run of trials off Iceland testing whether networked uncrewed systems can deliver persistent watch over the High North, extending a model first tried in the Baltic.

Why the Type 31 frigate suits a modern navy

The Inspiration class is a low-risk and adaptable design that suits the warfare the Royal Navy now expects, and several allied navies have chosen the same hull for themselves.

Irish alumina factory accused of supplying Russia’s war

Aughinish Alumina, Europe's largest alumina refinery, has become the focus of mounting political pressure after an investigation linked material from the Irish plant to the supply chain feeding Russia's arms industry.

Why are all of Britain’s attack submarines in port?

Britain's force of attack submarines is all in port at the same time, the latest low point in an availability problem that has plagued the fleet for years, but what is going on?

Meet Katran X1.2, Ukraine’s swarming drone carrier

Small aluminum motorboat gliding on a blue lake with a rocky shore in the background, grasses in the foreground.
MAC HUB's Katran X1.2 is an uncrewed surface vessel built to act as a "mother ship" for swarms of AI-guided interceptor drones, hunting Shaheds at sea.

MPs press for scrutiny of rising nuclear spending

With nuclear programmes now consuming 18 per cent of the defence budget, the Public Accounts Committee says their costs are too opaque for Parliament to challenge, and has welcomed an agreement to set up a mechanism for closer scrutiny.

Peer suggests UAE money could help fund defence plan

Mission control desk with multiple monitors displaying satellite maps of the Middle East and Indian Ocean; a high-backed chair in front of the setup.
A former chief of the defence staff has suggested in the House of Lords that the wealth of Gulf allies such as the UAE might be tapped to help get the UK's delayed Defence Investment Plan over the line.

Support deal planned for Royal Navy mine disposal system

Orange and gray underwater robotic device suspended above dark blue water, with a metal frame and yellow/black fins visible on the side.
The Ministry of Defence intends to award a two-year, £12 million contract to keep the Royal Navy's Seafox mine disposal system in service, the underwater vehicle used by its Hunt and Sandown class vessels to find and destroy sea mines.

Autonomous ships ‘future’ of the UK naval presence in Gulf

Five black speedboats race across turquoise water, leaving white wake with a sandy desert coastline in the background.
The future of the UK's naval presence in the Gulf lies in autonomous and uncrewed systems rather than traditional warships such as minehunters, the defence minister has indicated, pointing to a support ship now heading to the region as a template.

UK had Gulf bases but no ships to use them, peer...

The UK had military bases across the Gulf but largely no vessels stationed in them when conflict with Iran erupted earlier this year, a peer has told the House of Lords.

British aircraft carrier to set sail from Norway

HMS Prince of Wales has completed a port visit to Stavanger and is prepared to continue Operation Firecrest, the ship announced on Saturday, with the carrier having addressed a minor technical issue during its time alongside.