Peer suggests UAE money could help fund defence plan
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
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
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 says
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.
Only one bidder for navy base support vessel contract, MP told
The government has defended a contract that will see 24 new support vessels built by a Dutch shipbuilder, telling an MP that only one company bid to both run the service and replace the vessels.
British guns on US ships but few British ones, MPs told
A British firm's naval guns are fitted to almost all US Navy and Coast Guard ships but hardly any Royal Navy vessels, the Treasury Committee has heard, in an example of domestic capability the UK is said to be overlooking.
No firm in-service date for HMS Venturer
The first Type 31 frigate, HMS Venturer, is still only committed to being handed to the Royal Navy "by the end of the decade", a defence minister has said, declining to give a firm initial operating capability date.
UK yet to board any shadow fleet vessels
No Russian shadow fleet vessel has been boarded in British waters since the government took the power to do so, with the Ministry of Defence declining to give any figures.
Covenant legal duty does not cover RFA staff, minister says
The Armed Forces Covenant does not extend to Royal Fleet Auxiliary personnel, a defence minister has said, though some who have served on operations may be considered in its spirit.
