Defence Secretary says Ajax must be backed or scrapped
The Defence Secretary has said the troubled Ajax armoured vehicle programme must now be either fully rescued or cancelled, admitting that ministers were not given the full facts before key decisions were taken.
NATO forces in major build-up in Germany ahead of drills
NATO has begun a large-scale military build-up in Germany as allied forces and equipment arrive for Exercise STEADFAST DART 2026, the biggest exercise of the year and the first full test of its new Allied Reaction Force.
Future of BATUS training use tied to defence investment plan
The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that the future scale of British Army activity at its major training facility in Canada will depend on the outcome of the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan.
NATO chief warns Europe cannot defend itself without US
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has dismissed calls for a standalone European defence force, warning that Europe cannot defend itself without the United States and that attempts to go it alone would only weaken collective security.
MOD launches new office to boost defence work for SMEs
The Defence Office for Small Business Growth has been established to help small and medium-sized firms bid for and win defence contracts.
Shapps defends secrecy over Afghan data breach handling
Former defence secretary Sir Grant Shapps has defended his decision to withhold briefings from senior parliamentarians for around a month following the Afghan data breach, telling MPs he believed wider disclosure could have put lives at risk.
Royal Navy tracks Russian shadow tanker off Gibraltar
Royal Navy forces monitored a sanctioned Russian-linked oil tanker as it transited the Strait of Gibraltar, ahead of a subsequent French boarding operation, as part of wider allied efforts to disrupt Moscow’s so-called shadow fleet.
Defence signs logistics mobilisation pact with nine firms
The Ministry of Defence has confirmed it is working with industry to improve the UK ability to mobilise logistics personnel during times of crisis, following a parliamentary question on workforce preparedness.
NATO commander hails Nordic military power in the Arctic
NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe has highlighted the growing impact of Sweden and Finland on Alliance northern posture, describing their capabilities as a major enhancement to Arctic readiness.
UK and France to lead new multinational force for Ukraine
The Ministry of Defence has confirmed further details of plans for a proposed multinational force intended to support Ukrainian defence, reconstruction and long-term stability, following a series of parliamentary questions.
