Tag: Ministry of Defence

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 24 November 2025.

Royal Navy intercepts Russian warship and tanker in the Dover Strait and English Channel whilst RAF P-8 maritime surveillance aircraft deployed to Iceland to patrol North Atlantic.

The UK Armed Forces are on patrol from the English Channel to the High North amid increased Russian activity threatening UK waters.

In the past fortnight, Royal Navy patrol ship HMS Severn intercepted Russian corvette RFN Stoikiy and tanker Yelnya off the UK coast, in a round-the-clock shadowing operation as the Russian vessels sailed through the Dover Strait and westward through the English Channel.

HMS Severn later handed over monitoring duties to a NATO ally off the coast of Brittany, but continued to observe from a distance and remained ready to respond to any unexpected activity.

Commander Grant Dalgleish, HMS Severn’s Commanding Officer, said:

This tasking shows the value of our patrol ships and reinforces the Royal Navy’s close liaison with our NATO allies in safeguarding the British people and protecting the internationally recognised waterways.

I’m immensely proud of the way the ship’s company reacted to this activation, especially coming so quickly after a demanding period of regeneration and operational training.

This comes as the UK has seen a 30% increase in Russian vessels threatening UK waters in the past two years.

On Wednesday, the Defence Secretary confirmed that Russian spy ship Yantar – used for gathering intelligence and mapping undersea cables – was operating on the edge of UK waters north of Scotland. In a clear message to Putin, the Defence Secretary said: “We see you. We know what you are doing. And we are ready.”

As Yantar lingered in UK’s wider waters, its crew directed lasers at the RAF P-8 pilots tracking it in a reckless and dangerous act. While tracking Yantar, Royal Navy frigate HMS Somerset and other civilian ships in the area experienced GPS jamming in a further demonstration of unprofessional behaviour, intended to be disruptive and a nuisance. HMS Somerset’s combat capabilities were not affected.

The UK has a wide range of military options at its disposal to keep UK waters safe. Three RAF P-8 Poseidon aircraft have deployed to Keflavik Air Base in Iceland in the largest overseas deployment of the RAF P-8 fleet so far.

The P-8s from 120 Squadron are conducting surveillance operations as part of NATO’s collective defence, patrolling for Russian ships and submarines in the North Atlantic and Arctic.

While in Iceland, RAF crews are working closely with NATO allies including the US and Canada, reinforcing the UK’s NATO-first approach and commitment to Euro-Atlantic security in this new era of threat.

These operations reaffirm the UK’s unwavering commitment to national security and protecting critical undersea infrastructure, underpinning this Government’s Plan for Change.

Wing Commander Higgins, Officer Commanding 120 Squadron, said:

This deployment to Iceland highlights the enduring importance of the North Atlantic and Arctic to the security of the Alliance.

Operating the P-8A Poseidon, we continue that legacy by contributing to NATO’s collective defence and ensuring the security of this strategically critical region.

The UK is stepping up on defence and security, backed by the biggest sustained increase in defence spending since the Cold War, including £4 billion on boosting our drone capabilities and over £1 billion on strengthening air and missile defence to protect the UK homeland.

These latest operations come less than a month after HMS Duncan tracked the movements of Russian destroyer Vice Admiral Kulakov, and frigate HMS Iron Duke was dispatched to monitor Russian Kilo-class submarine Novorossiysk.

Last month, two advanced RAF surveillance aircraft conducted a 12-hour mission along Russia’s border to monitor NATO’s eastern and northern flanks. A Rivet Joint electronic intelligence aircraft and a P-8 maritime patrol aircraft, supported by a US Stratotanker, collectively flew 10,000 miles from the High North, past Belarus and Ukraine, and into the Black Sea.

Both aircraft use advanced sensors to detect Russian activity and deliver critical intelligence for analysis.

This increase in UK Armed Forces activity comes alongside new sanctions. Last week, the Foreign Secretary announced that the UK, US, and Australia are sanctioning Media Land – a Russian cyber crime group responsible for facilitating cyber-attacks on UK-based companies.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 13 November 2025.

All military personnel are to be better protected through the launch of a new programme to prevent and address unacceptable sexual behaviour.

• Defence publishes the first ever tri-Service military sexual harassment survey results as part of the Government’s landmark commitment to halve violence against women and girls.
• Prevention teams will operate from Armed Forces sites in North Yorkshire and Plymouth with regional reach, before rolling out more widely.
• Recruitment is live for six specialist staff to initially train new recruits and reinforce the highest standards of behaviour in the Armed Forces.

The announcement comes alongside the publication of the first ever military-wide sexual harassment survey. Ministers commissioned the first-of-its-kind survey earlier this year to fully understand personnel’s experiences and perceptions of sexual harassment in the military. The results are designed to provide vital data to design and drive prevention programmes, support schemes and contribute to the central Government mission to halve violence against women and girls within a decade.

The new Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Taskforce announced earlier this year will tackle the cultural and behavioural root causes of unacceptable sexual behaviour, predominantly against women, in the Armed Forces. Its prevention programme will initially target interventions at young recruits to boost understanding of consent, misogyny, incel culture and harmful online influences against men and women and enforce the highest behavioural standards.

Catterick Garrison, an Army Base in Yorkshire, and Plymouth Naval Base will implement the first change programmes, which will include delivery of interventions in training facilities for our young recruits in Army Foundation College Harrogate and HMS Raleigh. We will then expand to our UK military personnel in Cyprus and RAF Halton in 2026 before wider rollout.

Minister for Veterans and People, Louise Sandher-Jones MP said:

All those who choose to serve our country must be able to do so with dignity and respect. As a veteran myself, this mission is deeply personal to me.

By commissioning the UK’s first-ever comprehensive military sexual harassment survey, this Government is establishing, for the first time, a no holds barred baseline to fully confront and address the root causes of the issue and set new standards in transparency and accountability across our Armed Forces. We want our military to be best in class on this issue, and Ministers and Chiefs are working closely together to play our part in the Government’s central mission to halve violence against women and girls in a decade.

The Taskforce will include a multidisciplinary team of VAWG specialists and Armed Forces experts to identify key intervention points, trial a series of targeted initiatives, and scale up those that prove effective.

The Raising our Standards programme is driving the cultural change we need to ensure that everyone in Defence meets the highest standards of behaviour and professionalism. This work is the latest in a series of new initiatives to improve Service life, following the creation of the first Armed Forces Commissioner, a truly independent voice for Service personnel who will hold the Government and single Services to account and report directly to parliament, rather than ministers. Defence is also establishing a tri-Service complaints system, which – for the first time – takes the most serious complaints outside of the single Service chains of command.

Defence continues to invest and support the Victim Witness Care Unit, which provides comprehensive support for victims of serious crime, ensuring that those who come forward receive the care and advocacy they deserve.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 17 October 2025.

The remains of an unknown British and an unknown German soldier have been laid to rest together near Ypres on the Western Front.

The burial service, organised by the MOD’s Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC), took place at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s (CWGC) Poelcapelle British Cemetery in Belgium.

The service was supported by serving soldiers from The Royal Regiment of Artillery and The King’s Troop Royal Regiment of Artillery. Also present were the British and German Defence Attachés to Belgium. The service was conducted by the Reverend Mark Nightingale CF, Chaplain to 9 Regiment Royal Logistic Corps and in the build up to Remembrance commemorations, reflected on the reconciliation between the 2 nations since the Second World War. 

The Rev. Mark Nightingale said: 

It is a privilege to participate in this burial. As we lay to rest two unknown soldiers, one British and one German, we begin to glimpse the peace and reconciliation that God offers us. By honouring their sacrifice in this service, we ultimately realise that in God’s eyes, there are no enemies, only people who are known to him by name. As I reflect, I see that this burial serves as a reminder that our highest calling is not victory in conflict, but harmony in love. We are encouraged to live as individuals who seek peace and speak truth, whilst honouring the commitment of those who have gone before us in this goal, like these two brave soldiers that we have honoured today.

The two men were found together in what appeared to have been a shell hole during the renovation of a cycle path near Ypres in Belgium. During the First World War the location had been astride the Ypres-Straden railway line. No artefacts were found with the remains which could assist in their identification although it was evident that one man was British and the other German. The location where the remains were found was fought over during the Third Battle of Ypres, better known as the Battle of Paschendaele, in October 1917. Owing the high number of casualties still missing in this location, neither man could be identified. 

Rosie Barron, JCCC Caseworker said: 

This was a very poignant ceremony reflecting on the importance of reconciliation and the search for peace between nations. We do not know who these men were or what their beliefs or opinions on the war were. However, both men died for their country and would have suffered the same hardships on the Western Front. May they now rest in peace together.

Earlier this week (15 October 25) a burial took place at Vendresse British Cemetery in the Aisne region of France of an unknown British soldier most likely killed during the First Battle of the Aisne in 1914. Again, no artefacts were found with the remains which would indicate which regiment he belonged to.  

The graves of all 3 men will now be cared for in perpetuity by CWGC. 

Director for the Central and Southern Europe Area of the CWGC, Xavier Puppinck, said:  

We are honoured to commemorate these three brave soldiers from the First World War at our cemeteries in France and Belgium. 

It has been a privilege to recover and work closely with the JCCC in trying to identify who they were. It is rare – and very emotional actually – to have both British and German soldiers buried together, highlighting the shared sacrifice of all those who fought and died. 

Though these men couldn’t be identified by name, we will care for their graves in perpetuity.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 17 October 2025.

Veterans can now apply for and download a secure digital version of the HM Armed Forces Veteran Card via the GOV.UK One Login app.

• Veterans can now apply for and download a digital version of the Veteran Card on their smartphone.
• From registering with GPs to housing support and discounted entry to museums, the card will ensure veterans can access services quickly and easily online.
• Part of the blueprint for modern digital government, as government makes public services simpler and more accessible so they work around people’s lives as part of the Plan for Change.

Nearly 2 million veterans can now get and benefit from a digital version of the Veteran Card, which will make it easier and quicker to access key services and discounts via their smartphones.

From today, Friday 17 October, it will give veterans a seamless way to confirm their status in person and will include information already featured on their physical card – displaying their name, photo, latest service, and date of birth with the security features that protect their personal information.

By downloading the optional card on their smartphones, former Service Personnel can show their veteran status to access everything from housing and mental health support to reduced entry at museums and money off their shopping – all at the touch of a button. The move forms part of government plans to deliver national renewal by transforming public services so they work around people’s lives and not the other way round.

Once application is approved, downloading the card takes minutes – far quicker than waiting for a physical card to arrive by post. Just like a digital bank card or rail card, it puts convenient proof of service directly in veterans’ pockets, highlighting which service of the Armed Forces they last served in to unlock service-specific support and ending the need to carry a physical copy whilst maintaining the highest security standards.

Veterans can download it via the GOV.UK One Login app, which, like banking apps, uses passcodes, Face ID, or Touch ID, providing the security veterans deserve whilst creating new opportunities to access services more conveniently. Once set up, veterans simply open the app and show their digital card.

Technology Secretary Liz Kendall, said:

Our veterans have given everything by serving for their country and it is only right that we give them all the support they need.

As we deliver national renewal we are modernising our public services so they work around people’s lives and keep pace with the digital world we live in.

The digital Veterans Card will help remove barriers, reduce red-tape and make it easier for people to access the public services they need.

Minister for Veterans and People, Louise Sandher-Jones said:

Our veterans have given so much in service to our country, and we must ensure they can easily access the support and recognition they are entitled to and deserve.  

This digital Veteran Card removes barriers and puts convenience back in their hands – whether they’re registering with a new GP, seeking housing support, or simply getting a discount at their local museum.  

With 1.8 million veterans across the UK now able to benefit from this innovation, we’re making good on our commitment to modernise services for our veteran community.

Veterans will be able to use the digital card to:

• Register their service background with their GP to access the healthcare opportunities they deserve with security and respect. This can give them access to services in England such as Op RESTORE for physical health support and Op COURAGE for mental health and wellbeing.
• Confirm their military background to access supported housing through Op FORTITUDE, the government’s secure referral system and support service for ex-Service Personnel who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness.
• Get support into high value careers with Op ASCEND – a free government-backed service linking them up with career advisors and veteran-friendly employers.
• Access discounts and services offered by participating businesses with the security and convenience they deserve – in time for Remembrance Sunday.

The digital card is optional and will initially be available for in-person use, with functionality set to expand over the coming months to enable online use, further increasing convenience whilst maintaining security and creating new opportunities for veterans to access services.

Angela Kitching, Director of Campaigns, Policy and Research at the Royal British Legion, said:

We welcome the introduction of the digital HM Armed Forces Veteran Card as we do any initiative that helps to improve access to services and benefits for the Armed Forces community.

The fact that the digital Veteran Card will enable veterans to access and use their card more quickly is a positive development.

The digital Veteran Card works alongside the existing physical HM Armed Forces Veteran Card, giving veterans greater flexibility and choice.  It is the UK government’s first digital document to be stored in the GOV.UK One Login app, which provides the security and functionality for storing digital credentials as part of our national renewal agenda to create opportunity and make lives easier through better digital services. As we add more credentials over time – like the digital driving licence – and bring this capability to a bigger group of users, we will transition to talking about it as the GOV.UK Wallet.

Today’s launch builds on the government’s blueprint for modern digital government – making public services simpler, faster and more accessible through trusted technology that puts people first. Earlier this year, the UK government launched the GOV.UK App providing a single, secure place for citizens to access multiple government services laying the groundwork for innovations like the digital Veteran Card.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 16 October 2025.

Update to Statement on UK military activity in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Since the terrorist attacks against Israel of 7 October 2023, the UK government has been working with partners across the region to secure the release of hostages, including British nationals, who were kidnapped.   

In support of these efforts the Ministry of Defence conducted surveillance flights over the Eastern Mediterranean, including operating in air space over Israel and Gaza from December 2023. The surveillance aircraft were always unarmed, did not have a combat role, and were tasked solely to locate hostages. 

The UK government strictly controlled what information was passed on and only information relating to hostage rescue was passed to the relevant Israeli authorities.  

Following the agreement of the Gaza peace plan between Israel and Hamas, and the release of remaining hostages, the Ministry of Defence has ceased surveillance flights over Gaza. The last flight took place on the 10 October 2025. 

We thank our UK personnel for their dedication and professionalism.  

Defence Secretary, John Healey MP: 

This ceasefire is a moment of profound relief, for the civilian population of Gaza, for the Israeli hostages and their families, who have all endured unimaginable suffering.

I am proud of the UK’s efforts to support the safe return of the hostages, and the professionalism of our service personnel involved. 

The safe return of all hostages, along with the immediate restoration of aid are critical first steps in efforts to securing a lasting peace.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 15 October 2025.

The UK Defence Secretary, John Healey MP reiterates Government’s steadfast support for her family’s long and painful fight for justice.

The Defence Secretary John Healey MP today met the niece of the late Agnes Wanjiru, Esther Njoki. The meeting follows the Kenyan Director of Public Prosecution determining that a British National should face trial in relation to the murder of Ms Wanjiru, who was killed in Nanyuki in Kenya in 2012.

In April 2025, the Defence Secretary visited Kenya and became the first UK Government Minister to meet Agnes Wanjiru’s family, since her murder in 2012.

Today’s meeting is only the second between UK Government ministers and representatives of Agnes’s family. 

Defence Secretary, John Healey MP said:

Six months since our first meeting in Kenya, I was pleased to welcome the niece of the late Agnes Wanjiru, Esther Njoki to London today, to reiterate our Government’s steadfast support for her family’s long and painful fight for justice.

I want to pay tribute to Esther, who is an extraordinary spokesperson for her family, and for women who have suffered violence.

We reflected on the significant progress made in recent months, with the case file being handed to the Director of Public Prosecutions in April and a charging decision being made last month. Our Government will continue to do everything we can to support the Kenyan investigation, secure a resolution to this case and finally bring peace to Esther and her grieving family.

The niece of Agnes Wanjiru, Esther Njoki also made a statement after the meeting with the Defence Secretary:

The loss of my beloved aunt, Agnes Wanjiru, has left a permanent scar on my family. It wasn’t just the pain of losing her – it is the years of silence, frustration and trauma we’ve endured trying to get justice since.

Since my family last met with the Secretary of State, there has been a major development with a former British soldier having been charged with my aunt’s murder. This has given us a renewed sense of hope — but we are still far from achieving justice for Agnes. That’s why this meeting with the Secretary of State is crucial. We are urging him and the Government to do everything in their power to ensure the man arrested is extradited to Kenya and faces trial without further delay.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 14 October 2025.

More than 85,000 military drones have been delivered by the UK to Ukraine in just six months this year by accelerating production from British companies.

It comes as Defence Secretary John Healey confirms, for the first time, that £600 million has been invested by the UK this year to accelerate drone delivery for Ukraine’s Armed Forces, including tens of thousands of short-range first-person view (FPV) drones that are crucial to supporting Ukraine’s front line.  

These drones are being used for precision strikes, reconnaissance, and disrupting Russian activity behind the frontlines, countering Russia’s own attempts at massed drone tactics. 

The Defence Secretary will say to allies that we need to “ramp up drone production to outmatch Putin’s escalation” following increased drone strikes in Ukraine and dangerous incursions into Europe.  

National security is the foundation of this Government’s Plan for Change, and the UK is stepping up on Euro-Atlantic security, underpinned by the historic increase to defence spending to 2.6% of GDP from 2027.   

Last month in Kyiv, the Defence Secretary and his Ukrainian counterpart Denys Shmyhal signed a first-of-its-kind industrial partnership through which the UK is jointly developing an inceptor drone already been used by Ukraine to protect civilians and critical infrastructure from Russian drones.  

New data from the Ukrainian battlefield is now being implemented to help mass produce the Octopus interceptor, with a target to provide thousands of new-improved interceptor drones back into Ukraine each month. 

Defence Secretary, John Healey MP, said: 

Putin’s dangerous escalation in Ukraine and across Europe must be matched by ramping up our drone production and strengthening NATO’s air defences. 

The UK is stepping up our support to Ukraine by delivering over 85,000 drones in the last six months and signing new industrial partnerships to rapidly develop thousands of new interceptor drones to shoot down Putin’s attacks. This is growing jobs in both the UK and Ukraine. 

I am also extending the UK’s commitment to NATO’s Eastern Sentry air policing mission to the end of the year to continue to deter Putin from further testing the Alliance. 

The Defence Secretary will also attend a meeting of NATO’s Defence Ministers, where he is expected to confirm the extension of the Royal Air Force’s contribution to NATO’s Eastern Sentry mission to the end of 2025. British Typhoon fighter jets have been taking part in defensive flights over Polish airspace following dangerous Russian drone incursions. 

In total, the UK has spent £600 million this year on military drones for Ukraine – drawn from the record £4.5 billion commitment by the government this year to support Ukraine’s defence. This includes logistical drones for transporting equipment to the frontline, one-way attack drones, as well as surveillance and reconnaissance drones.  

Significant amounts of this spend is with UK companies, supporting hundreds of specialist jobs around the country from suppliers including Tekever, Windracers, and Malloy. 

The Drone Capability Coalition, which the UK co-leads with Latvia, is also using funding from a range of nations to procure advanced drone-interceptors to help Ukraine counter the threat of the Iranian-designed Shahed one-way attack drones.  

Interceptors are being tested on the battlefield right now, with the Drone Capability Coalition expected to award new contracts very soon to provide Ukraine with further kit, including around 35,000 new interceptor systems in the coming months. 

An upcoming deployment of British military counter-drone experts to Moldova will take place this month, where they will help scope requirements for Moldova’s armed forces in counter drone tactics.

Both the Prime Minister and Defence Secretary have been clear that the UK’s national security – the foundation of the Government’s Plan for Change – starts in Ukraine.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 13 October 2025.

HMS Agamemnon, the sixth Astute Class submarine has successfully completed her first underwater dive.

HMS Agamemnon, the sixth Astute Class submarine, is another step closer to joining the UK’s in-service submarine fleet, following the successful completion of her first dive.  

Shortly after being commissioned in the presence of His Majesty the King, the dive took place over two days and saw the boat submerged in water in the safety of a dock at BAE Systems in Barrow-in-Furness, under the control of her Royal Navy crew. 

A trim dive is a key phase of a submarine’s testing and commissioning prior to her sailing for the first time and joining the in-service fleet. This consists of two activities: 

• Basin dive 
• Trim and inclining experiment 

The basin dive is where many on-board systems are tested, including the ballast tanks which ensure the boat can surface. The trim and inclining experiment is to confirm the centre of gravity of the submarine and is measured by naval architects in both surfaced and submerged conditions. 

To measure the centre of gravity of the submarine, 16 tonnes of lead weights are brought on board and moved side-to-side. This movement is also measured by hand using pendulums hung between decks, a method that has been used by naval architects since the 1700s. The results from this also calculate the precise weight and stability, showing how she will perform in-service. 

The trials were conducted by BAE Systems and the ship’s staff, and activity was monitored by SDA and Ministry of Defence naval architects and overseers. 

These are all key factors in her performance when she formally joins HMS Astute, HMS Ambush, HMS Artful, HMS Audacious and HMS Anson in service. 

HMS Agamemnon was officially named in April 2024 and launched in October 2024; she is 97 metres in length and has a displacement of 7,400 tonnes.  The Astute Class are the UK’s current attack submarines. They protect the UK’s nuclear deterrent from hostile activity and detection, whilst supporting global operations. They also contribute to protecting maritime task groups and providing global strategic intelligence and reconnaissance gathering.