Tom Dunlop

A P-8 Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft has been participating in a multinational anti-submarine warfare exercise off the coast of Norway.

The project, originally believed to be one missile able to strike ships and land targets, now appears to have become two distinct missiles. One is a supersonic anti-ship missile and the other is a subsonic cruise missile.

Frigates HMS Kent, HMS Argyll and HMS Northumberland plus survey ship HMS Echo and patrol ships HMS Mersey and HMS Severn monitored Russian naval activity across 100's of miles.

The 'JAGUAR' radio frequency sensor will enable jets to "better detect future threats from air, land and sea, quickly and accurately locating targets and denying surveillance technology operated by our adversaries", say the Ministry of Defence.

Royal Marines will lead the British involvement in the exercise supported by a task group of Royal Navy ships including aircraft carrier and NATO command ship HMS Prince of Wales.

The Pathfinders are the advance force for 16 Air Assault's Brigade Combat Team.

The combined training includes 9,000 personnel and up to 50 ships from more than 60 partner nations.

BAE Systems has confirmed its bid to supply Slovakia with 152 new Infantry Fighting Vehicles.

British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has held meetings in The Hague, Brussels and Berlin amid tensions with Russia.

Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 is currently on a scheduled patrol of the Baltic Sea.