All news on the topic: Defence

674
British weapons manufacturer secures £25bn in orders as military spending surges
British defence giant BAE Systems has a total orders bill worth more than £25bn for this financial year alone.
399
Wallace faces questions over changes to war crimes bill that could have shielded the SAS
Former Defence Secretary Sir Ben Wallace is facing questions about a change made to a draft bill that would have protected the SAS from prosecution.
732
Starmer cancels the appointment of Gwyn Jenkins as national security adviser
PM’s decision seen by some in Whitehall as precursor for role going to more politically loyal candidate
718
British Army employing AI robodogs that ’smell fear’ to detect enemies
The military is using AI-powered robodogs that can sniff out enemies - once programmed they can also detect bombs, attack targets or become agitated and run away
711
US deploys aircraft carrier, warships, and fighter squadron to Middle East as region braces for Iranian retaliation
The US is sending a carrier strike group, a fighter squadron and additional warships to the Middle East as the region braces for an Iranian retaliation to the killing of a senior Hamas leader in Tehran earlier this week.
705
Sir Keir Starmer refuses to put ’arbitrary date’ on 2.5% defence spending target
The prime minister says the figure is a "serious commitment" but that a "roadmap" to reaching it had to be within the government’s fiscal rules.
519
Israel ignored warnings from Ukraine about Iranian drones and declined offers of assistance
No army in the world has more experience combatting Iranian drones than that of Ukraine, which has been dealing with them for over two years.
584
EU approves up to €1.4 billion in military aid to Ukraine sourced from frozen Russian assets
The money will be used for direct purchases of kit like ammunition and aerial defense systems.
575
Slovakia files criminal complaint against former PM for providing fighter jets to Ukraine
Slovakia’s former Prime Minister Eduard Heger and Defense Minister Jaroslav Naď are facing possible criminal charges for helping Ukraine.
436
Mark Rutte will be NATO’s next secretary-general
The outgoing Dutch PM has been confirmed after seven months of campaigning.
451
Germany outlines wartime plans: mandatory conscription and subway stations as bunkers
Conscription, rationing, and subway stations turned into bunkers. For the first time since the Cold War, Germany has updated its plans should conflict erupt in Europe, with ministers citing the threat posed by Russia.
657
UK defence chief doubts Russia wants war with NATO as he marks D-Day anniversary
Admiral Sir Tony Radakin appears very confident the Kremlin is not looking for direct confrontation with members of the NATO alliance - and that Ukraine will prevail in the ongoing war.
459
In UK enquiries about luxury nuclear bunkers reach record high
Deputy Oliver Dowden spent his Wednesday morning promoting a new website that helps people prepare for a national crisis after government research showed that more than 40 per cent of Brits do not have three days of supplies of non-perishable food and water.
432
Rishi Sunak plots return of National Service as Labour says it’s ’maths until 18 then off to war’
Dud’s Army: Rishi Sunak, who has never served in uniform, thinks forcing teenagers to join the military or volunteer to build flood defences will help bring back the "national spirit" that emerged during the pandemic
442
Germany’s Ukraine air defense initiative falls flat
Berlin promised to help Ukraine source crucial air defenses, but the reality has been disappointing.
657
The robots are coming: How Ukraine became the testing ground for AI-powered combat
As autonomous drones soar toward the frontline, bigger countries like China and the U.S. are watching.
537
UK plans to develop hypersonic missiles to match China and Russia by 2030
Plans are at an early stage, according to a newspaper report, although there is no decision on whether the missile will be launched from land, sea or air.
692
Ex-civil service chief warns of need for wartime-level defense spending in UK
Britain must ramp up its defence and aid spending and bolster its diplomatic and intelligence networks amid “the most dangerous period” since the Cold War, the UK’s formerly top civil servant has warned.