British aircraft carrier leads NATO warships in High North
HMS Prince of Wales has led a carrier task group of British, French and Norwegian warships in close formation during Exercise Neptune Strike 26-4, as the UK Carrier Strike Group operates under NATO command.
Civilian status bars RFA families from some forces schemes
Children of Royal Fleet Auxiliary personnel fall outside some Armed Forces family support schemes because RFA crews are civilian seafarers employed by the Ministry of Defence and not members of the Armed Forces.
British warship ‘shoots down’ waves of attack drones
HMS Dauntless has faced drone attacks from air and sea on Exercise Sharpshooter in Cardigan Bay, where her crew train to detect, track and destroy a threat in as little as 45 seconds, as reported by The i Paper’s Molly Blackall, who joined the ship.
British carrier jets strike targets on land
F-35s from HMS Prince of Wales have conducted a live land strike alongside the Norwegian Army during NATO’s Exercise Neptune Strike.
British destroyer missile upgrade second stage still under review
The Ministry of Defence continues to consider the second stage of Sea Viper Evolution, using the Aster 30 Block 1 NT missile, as part of wider capability planning, according to an answer given in Parliament.
Defence exports teams brought together under armaments chief
The teams responsible for exports promotion, capability partnerships and government-to-government relationships now work together under the National Armaments Director Group for the first time.
Spanish submarine sinks patrol vessel in Atlantic with torpedo
The Spanish submarine Isaac Peral has sunk the decommissioned patrol vessel Infanta Elena with a single torpedo during Exercise SINKEX 26 in the Atlantic, the first of the new S-80 class showing it is ready for operations.
Babcock signs Thales and Kraken for drone warship framework
Thales, Kraken Technology Group, Hensoldt, Exail, SH Defence, CUBEDIN and Stormborn have joined Babcock’s ARMOR Force framework, with Babcock acting as integrator for navies buying crewed and uncrewed fleets.
BAE Systems lined up for Spearfish torpedo development work
The Ministry of Defence is considering a single-source contract worth about £30 million with BAE Systems for development work on the Royal Navy’s Spearfish torpedo.
Tories warn of Russian tanker idling over North Sea pipeline
A Russian tanker reportedly idled for almost two days over the FLAGS pipeline, with a second vessel following later, and shadow ministers want offshore energy assets given Critical National Infrastructure status.
