Tag: Ministry of Defence

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 17 November 2024.

Royal Navy and Royal Air Force pilots will benefit from a cutting-edge new cruise missile, following the first successful guided firing trial of the missile.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 17 November 2024.

Defence Secretary expands wraparound childcare support to service families deployed overseas. They will now receive 20 hours a week of funded before and after-school childcare saving families around £3,400 a year.

Armed Forces families deployed overseas will save thousands of pounds a year in childcare costs as the government increases support for service personnel, building on its commitment to renew the nation’s contract with those who serve.

The announcement forms part of a drive to boost military morale from Ministers, ahead of the first Parliamentary debate on the government’s landmark Armed Forces Commissioner Bill on Monday (18 November).

Defence Secretary John Healey MP is extending a scheme which helps service families in the UK pay for wraparound childcare to those based abroad. Hundreds of families will be able to claim up to 20 hours a week of funded before and after school childcare, saving around £3,400 a year.

The government is renewing the nation’s contract with those who serve, and have served, and the expansion of the Wraparound Childcare Scheme to families deployed around the world recognises the unique challenges faced by parents serving abroad and the increased cost of living.

The expansion, expected to cost £3 million over the next 5 years, is testament to the government’s commitment to always putting personnel at the heart of future defence plans.

Defence Secretary John Healey MP said:

We are on a drive to boost military morale and deliver on our manifesto promise to renew the nation’s contract with those who serve – from establishing a strong, independent Armed Forces Commissioner to providing the largest pay rise for personnel in decades.

We ask our Armed Forces to make extraordinary sacrifices to defend UK interests and keep us all safe.

We recognise the commitment of service families based abroad and that is why we are stepping up support, with the expansion of wraparound childcare set to save families thousands of pounds a year.

Tackling the ongoing Armed Forces recruitment and retention challenges also continues to be a key focus for the government.

As the Ministry of Defence announced earlier this year, it has slashed recruitment red tape to make the process more straightforward for those wanting to join the military. Through the removal of 100 unnecessary medical policies such as blocking some sufferers of hay fever, eczema, and acne, more than 700 applications have been reconsidered.

These reforms follow the government announcing the largest Armed Forces pay increases for 22 years. The pay rise awarded an average 6% pay rise with new recruits receiving a 35% rise, ensuring all members of the Armed Forces receive at least the National Living Wage for the first time. This acknowledges the extraordinary sacrifices made by personnel to protect and serve the UK and will help address recruitment and retention challenges, especially in light of rising cost of living pressures.

Minister for Armed Forces Luke Pollard MP said:

Armed Forces families deployed overseas give up so much to protect the UK and for the first time, the government is ensuring they can access the same level of support as those back home.

The government will always stand up for the Armed Forces, and we will not rest until we have lifted military morale.

We inherited a talented yet demoralised Armed Forces and so we are taking direct action to address this head on – ensuring their service and sacrifice are properly recognised and rewarded.

This extra support comes as landmark government legislation to establish the first ever independent champion for serving personnel and their families returns to the House of Commons on Monday (18 November) for its second reading.

The Armed Forces Commissioner Bill will deliver a manifesto commitment and help drive improvements to service life by giving those who serve and their families a strong, independent voice that can hold government and the Army, Royal Navy, and Royal Air Force to account.

The new Armed Forces Commissioner will be a direct point of contact for serving personnel and their families to raise issues that impact service life, including housing and equipment.  They will have powers to visit sites unannounced and report to Parliament through annual and one-off thematic reports.

The German Parliamentary Commissioner for the Armed Forces, Dr. Eva Högl said:

It is gratifying to see that Armed Forces Commissioners are introduced in more and more countries.

With the establishment of a parliamentary military ombudsperson, the institution moves to the centre of society, which is especially important in times when all our armed forces are under enormous pressure.

Since 1959, the year the German Parliamentary Commissioner for the Armed forces has been established, it has become a well-recognized, respected and unchallenged institution in Germany safeguarding the basic rights of our soldiers. I would be delighted if this success story were to be repeated in the UK.

Today’s announcement also builds on recent government commitments to support and champion veterans.

In last month’s budget the government extended the National Insurance relief for employers hiring qualifying veterans for a further year until 5 April 2026. And at the start of this month, the government committed £3.5 million for a dedicated wraparound service for veterans at risk of or experiencing homelessness, ensuring they have access to specialist support for employment and independent living.

The Wraparound Childcare Scheme already supports over 7,000 service children in the UK, and from January 2025, the scheme will be available to personnel deployed across the vast majority of European countries as well as the Falkland Islands, Gibraltar and Brunei. The scheme supports forces families with children aged 4 to 11 years, or 4 to 16 years if receiving government disability allowances.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 14 November 2024.

Deepening defence cooperation and urgently de-escalating tensions in the Middle East will be the focus of the Defence Secretary’s visit to Türkiye and Saudi Arabia.

• UK to commit to expanding cooperation on shared defence industrial priorities with Türkiye
• In his first visit to Riyadh, John Healey will reaffirm the UK’s commitment to a ‘future-facing’ defence relationship with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA)
• Defence Secretary will also discuss ongoing efforts to secure a lasting ceasefire in Gaza and in Lebanon.

Deepening defence cooperation and urgently de-escalating tensions in the Middle East will be the focus of discussions between the Defence Secretary and his counterparts in Türkiye and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia today (Thursday 14 November).

During his meetings in Ankara and Riyadh, John Healey will reaffirm the UK’s commitment to global security and securing an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon.

Discussions with both nations will also focus on shared priorities, such as deepening ties between our defence industries and tackling regional security challenges.

In a mutual commitment to bolster regional stability, NATO Allies UK and Türkiye will agree to deepening their defence industrial cooperation, focusing efforts on exploring mutually beneficial opportunities.

And in his first visit to Saudi Arabia, the Defence Secretary will build on the decades-long defence relationship between the UK and KSA to enhance cooperation on shared security priorities.

Defence Secretary John Healey MP said:

Deepening our defence relationships with key partners across the region will help the UK to support regional stability and economic growth at home.

This government is determined to work with our partners and across the Middle East to boost military cooperation and help lead a renewed push for peace.

While in Ankara, the Defence Secretary and his counterpart, Yaşar Güler, will reaffirm plans to work together towards greater military cooperation and pursue a joint strategy for industry, providing significant opportunities for mutual growth and security.

Talks will aim to initiate a structured dialogue to explore procurement opportunities, and joint export ventures.

After travelling on to Riyadh this afternoon, the Defence Secretary is scheduled to meet Defence Minister HRH Prince Khalid bin Salman (KbS), and the Minister for the National Guard Abdullah bin Bandar (AbB).

The UK and KSA share a decades-long defence partnership, founded in mutual security interest, reliable UK support and longstanding industrial collaboration.  Engagements today will provide the opportunity to explore how to further enhance cooperation and capability development in pursuit of shared security priorities; including support to KSA’s Vision 2030 Transformation programme.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 13 November 2024.

Defence Secretary, John Healey MP, signed the new agreement in London with his Romanian counterpart.

The UK’s defence relationship with Romania has been expanded following the signing today of a new treaty promoting greater cooperation between the two countries’ armed forces.

Defence Secretary, John Healey MP, hosted his Romanian counterpart, Angel Tîlvăr, at the Ministry of Defence in London this morning to sign the treaty.

United as NATO allies and in steadfast support of Ukraine, the defence relationship between the UK and Romania continues to grow.

Both ministers agreed to enhance bilateral defence cooperation to maintain peace and security in Europe, improve the effectiveness and efficiency of each nation’s armed forces when operating together, and develop information sharing.

The UK and Romania both share a steadfast support for Ukraine. Romania has sent military personnel to the UK to help train more than 45,000 Ukrainian recruits as part of Operation Interflex, which teaches basic infantry and combat skills.

Defence Secretary John Healey MP said:
This agreement demonstrates how quickly the UK’s defence relationship with Romania is growing and it shows our shared commitment to peace and security in Europe.

This Government is resetting Britain’s relations across Europe, and this agreement builds on that commitment as we continue to deepen our ties.

The UK’s security starts in Ukraine and, together with Romania as our NATO allies, we will continue to support Ukraine against Putin’s illegal invasion.

The treaty agrees to establish a joint defence committee, which will provide a framework through which we can reinforce our relationship with a key NATO Ally and European partner, and better work together to combat the shared threats we face.

The UK Armed Forces have worked closely alongside Romania’s Armed Forces for many years – earlier this year, a Royal Air Force fighter squadron of six Typhoons and around 200 personnel deployed to Romania to fly NATO air policing missions for four months.

Since then, numerous exercises have seen the UK and Romania operate alongside each other, including a British Army deployment to the Carpathian Mountains in Romania through September and October to practice training in difficult terrain alongside NATO allies as part of Exercise Sarmis.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 6 October 2024.

More than 1,000 British troops have begun one of the largest exercises this year in the Balkans, showing the UK’s commitment to the region’s security.

The training will develop the UK’s ability to operate alongside NATO allies and underlines Britain’s commitment to eastern Europe.

With 18 activities taking place across three months, one of the standout training exercises under Operation Chelonia involves the UK’s deployment of troops to Kosovo. These troops arrived via amphibious landing on a beach with no established infrastructure, via a world-leading motorised floating platform.

This training exercise takes place close to Pasha Liman Naval Base in Southern Albania.

Minister for the Armed Forces Luke Pollard said:

These exercises show our unwavering commitment to standing united with our allies and working hand in hand to boost our collective security. The UK has always had a major presence in the Western Balkans, and it’s important we demonstrate a united front to ensure regional security.

Working closely with our NATO partners, we are demonstrating our combined efforts to safeguard peace, stability, and security in the region.

The landing was led by the Strategic Reserve Force (SRF), a group of 600 Army personnel held at readiness to deploy at two weeks’ notice should pressures in the region escalate. In 2024, the SRF is led by the 1st Battalion of the Royal Yorkshire Regiment.

The scenario required the services of the Mexeflote, a world-leading modular motorised floating platform that can dock on the stern ramp of a ship, load with heavy military hardware (including trucks and main battle tanks if required), ferry the cargo to the beach and enable the cargo to be unloaded.

To put into context the scale of the operation, 26,000 linear metres of vehicles and equipment were landed on the beach. All equipment was brought to Albania from the UK aboard the 13,500 tonne Ro-Ro vessel, Hartland Point.

The Royal Air Force have also undertaken training in the region to ensure all personnel have the training they need to keep us secure at home and strong abroad.

The British Army have previously deployed at pace in Kosovo, with 200 personnel from the (1st battalion) of the Princess of Wales’ Royal Regiment (PWRR) sent to the country last year under NATO command, following an increase in tensions in the north of the country.

Other nations involved in these key exercises with the UK include Serbia, Romania, Kosovo, Georgia, Croatia, and Moldova.

This exercise reaffirms the UK’s commitment to our allies in the region. Whilst Putin continues his illegal and reckless invasion of Ukraine and aggressive posturing, it is vital that the UK works consistently alongside our NATO allies to display a united front of our collective strength.

From our continued presence in Kosovo, to our counter-disinformation support in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the UK remains completely committed to upholding democracy and supporting our allies in the Western Balkans.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 6 October 2024.

Trade mission agrees key requirements for Ukraine’s future equipment and capability needs.

A UK trade mission, formed of representatives from the Ministry of Defence, Department for Business and Trade, and the defence trade association ADS, visited Ukraine to hold meetings with Ukrainian Government and industry representatives.

It is the latest step in the growing relationship between the UK’s defence industrial sector and Ukraine’s, following the signing of a major agreement in July which will enable Ukraine to harness the power of UK industry by drawing on £3.5 billion worth of export finance to purchase further military capabilities.

The cross-government group, led by the Minister for the Armed Forces, travelled to Kyiv, where the trade mission visited the Ukraine Defence Industrial Forum to take part in a series of meetings and forum discussions.

Whilst there the minister discussed the UK’s steadfast support for Ukraine as long as it takes, the ever-growing relationship between the UK and Ukraine’s defence industry and the government’s pledge to continue to boost investment into our own industry which will in turn support Ukraine’s fight.

Agreements were made with Ukrainian officials on their requirements for complex weapons and land systems support during the event, which provides a signal to UK industry as to the types of equipment they most need and for which the MOD will now contract with UK industry on Ukraine’s behalf.

Minister for the Armed Forces, Luke Pollard MP said:

The UK’s support for Ukraine is ironclad. We continue to lead the way in providing military aid, but our support is much broader than simply providing equipment. Our flourishing defence industrial relationship symbolises the work happening across Government and the private sector to ramp up and speed up our support.

By deepening our ties with Ukraine’s defence industry, we are expanding own industrial capacity, while boosting Ukraine’s own capabilities. We stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine, and we will provide support for as long as it takes.

The MOD already placed contracts with Thales for air defence missiles and Sheffield Forgemasters for artillery gun barrels forgings, in order to warm up industry in preparation for further orders.  Future orders are in the pipeline and will be funded by Ukraine, drawing on their own reserves and the £3.5 billion of United Kingdom export finance made available by the UK to support Ukraine’s war effort.

Task Force HIRST is the UK cross-government team incorporating MOD, DBT and UK Export Finance to stimulate UK industrial production and international collaboration in support of Ukraine, including collaboration with Ukrainian companies.

Last week, the Defence Secretary confirmed the Government is delivering on its commitment to speed up and ramp up deliveries of support for Ukraine, surpassing its pledge to deliver 12 AS90 artillery guns within 100 days of taking office.

A total of 16 units are now on course to be delivered, with 10 already provided, and six more to follow in the coming weeks.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 4 October 2024.

Specialist team of Royal Engineers are offering expert advice and support to strengthen the Polish response.

British military engineers have travelled to Poland to strengthen the response to the devastating flooding in the country.

The UK has sent specialist engineering troops to support the Polish authorities following the widespread flooding which has been described as once in a generation.

More than 10 troops from 517 Specialist Team Royal Engineers (STRE) have travelled to the worst affected regions to provide support to the Polish emergency services and military.

As specialists in their field, these personnel are working with regional forces on the ground to address and tackle the most immediate issues.  They are playing a crucial role in delivering engineering expertise and providing advice to address the unique challenges posed by the floods, including supporting the rebuilding of bridges and repairing affected roads in the region.

UK troops are also offering planning support, working alongside Polish teams to coordinate relief efforts, and providing assurance, helping to guarantee the safe and efficient deployment of resources on the ground.

The UK armed forces have a wealth of experience responding to natural disasters across the globe.

The floods have affected several regions, overwhelming local infrastructure, and resources. Since flooding begun, more than 4,000 people have been evacuated from their homes in Poland and more remain without power.

Defence Minister, Lord Coaker said:

We stand shoulder to shoulder with Poland as they confront the devastating impact of these floods.

This mission underscores the UK’s dedication to collective defence and humanitarian cooperation, key pillars of its NATO commitments. In times of crisis, the strength of alliances is essential, and the UK is proud to stand with Poland during this difficult time.

In recent years, the UK’s relationship from Poland has gone from strength to strength, and the two countries are more united than ever, with both continuing to play a critical role in providing Ukraine with military and economic support.

This week, Minister for the Armed Forces Luke Pollard MP and Defence Minister Lord Coaker travelled to Poland to visit British troops stationed in the country, whilst Lord Coaker also attended the Warsaw Security Forum.

Last year, both countries signed a 2030 Strategic Partnership. This agreement focuses on building capabilities for our armed forces, conducting training and strengthening NATO’s deterrence and defence posture.

The UK currently also has more than a hundred UK military personnel based in country, with 150 permanently stationed as part of NATO’s Enhanced forward Presence mission, around 50 supporting the UK’s Sky Sabre air defence systems deployment stationed in Poland following Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, with UK personnel playing their part in defending Polish airspace, alongside others British personnel working on NATO efforts to support Ukraine.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 2 October 2024.

Around 700 personnel rapidly deployed to Cyprus last week to support Government contingency planning amid rising tensions in the region.

The professionalism and commitment of UK Armed Forces deployed in Cyprus was praised by the Defence Secretary John Healey today as he visited key sites involved in Middle East contingency preparations.

Around 700 additional Armed Forces personnel, as well as FCDO and Home Office staff, including Border Force officers, have travelled to Cyprus to support UK Government contingency planning, as British nationals are urged again to leave Lebanon immediately.

Healey arrived in Cyprus on Tuesday evening and met personnel on the ground at the Sovereign Base Areas – including RAF Akrotiri – on Wednesday to thank them for their quick work to rapidly relocate to the region. The personnel stand ready to provide support to the FCDO if the situation in Lebanon continues to deteriorate.

It comes after the Prime Minister, Defence Secretary and Foreign Secretary all condemned Iran’s large-scale attack on Israel on Tuesday evening and repeated calls for de-escalation. The Defence Secretary has also confirmed that two Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter jets and a Voyager air-to-air refuelling tanker played their part in attempts to prevent further escalation in the Middle East, demonstrating the UK’s unwavering commitment to Israel’s security.

Due to the nature of the attack, they did not engage any targets, but they played an important part in wider deterrence.

The Prime Minister discussed the volatile situation in the region with His Majesty King Abdullah II, Prime Minister Netanyahu, President Macron and Chancellor Scholz on Tuesday, while the Foreign Secretary spoke to Israeli Foreign Minister Katz today, after warning Iran yesterday against action that could further push the region to the brink. The Defence Secretary has discussed the situation with his German and Israeli counterparts.

A FCDO commercial charter flight has been organised from Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport today to help British nationals leave following the escalating violence in the region.

The Royal Air Force maintains aircraft and transport helicopters on standby to provide support if necessary, while Royal Navy ship HMS Duncan and Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship RFA Mounts Bay remain in the eastern Mediterranean.

Defence Secretary John Healey said:

The situation across the Middle East is extremely serious and de-escalation remains our focus. We continue to call for a ceasefire in Lebanon, where the safety of British nationals is our highest priority and it is critical that any who remain in Lebanon leave immediately.

Here in Cyprus, the preparations and plans are in place. I’ve been briefed on the ground by UK personnel who are ready to act at short notice. And I thanked them for their commitment and professionalism.

We continue to coordinate closely with Allies and partners as the situation grows more serious. Our government continues to urge a diplomatic solution to prevent wider regional escalation and further loss of life.

UK government officials have been working non-stop in London, Beirut and the wider region in recent weeks to increase capacity on commercial flights to allow British nationals to leave, as well as to continue contingency planning for a range of scenarios in the region.  An FCDO Rapid Deployment Team is also in Lebanon to bolster the support offered by British Embassy officials.

British nationals and their spouse or partner, and children under the age of 18 are eligible for today’s FCDO charter flight and will need to hold a valid travel document. Dependants who are not British nationals will require a valid visa that has been granted for a period of stay in the UK of more than 6 months.

The UK was the first G7 country to call for a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanese Hizballah, and the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary engaged with their counterparts at the UN General Assembly last week to urge them to do the same.

11 other countries, including the US, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, have now joined calls for a 21-day ceasefire to prevent further civilian casualties and ensure that displaced people can return to their homes.

The UK is also providing £5 million to UNICEF in Lebanon to support humanitarian response efforts and enable UNICEF to distribute supplies to those in need.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 28 September 2024.

The US and Iraq have announced the Global Coalition against Daesh’s military mission will draw to a close over the next 12 months. The terrorist organisation has been territorially defeated in Iraq.

The UK will continue to support the security of Iraq, as the Global Coalition enters a new phase. The UK will work closely with our Iraqi partners to develop an enduring bilateral relationship during the coming months, as part of the transition to a new security and defence partnership with Iraq.

Operation Inherent Resolve was established in 2014 to advise, assist and enable partner forces to secure the lasting defeat of Daesh and establish enduring security cooperation. This mission operates under The Global Coalition Against Daesh, consisting of 87 partners (82 governments and five member organisations).

During the last decade, the UK has played a leading role through Operation SHADER, the UK’s contribution to Op Inherent Resolve. At the invitation of the Iraqi government, UK forces provided valuable support, training and assistance to more than 111,000 members of the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF), including more than 21,000 of the Kurdish Peshmerga, in crucial infantry, weapons maintenance, counter-IED, medical and engineering skills.

The RAF have also conducted more than 10,000 sorties striking more than 1400 targets, as well as providing critical surveillance and reconnaissance in support of ISF ground operations.

We pay tribute to the professionalism of UK personnel who have played their part in the Global Coalition.

Thanks to the bravery and effectiveness of the Iraqi Security Forces, Peshmerga and the coalition’s continued commitment, Daesh has been territorially defeated in Iraq. The ISF has enabled the restoration of critical services for communities and the rehabilitation of conflict affected areas. With these core aims achieved, the process of moving to new security arrangements under Iraqi leadership can commence.

Working alongside our global coalition partners, the UK remains committed to ensuring the global defeat of Daesh and its violent ideology. Our commitment to the security of Iraq and the wider region remains unwavering and we will look to develop a bilateral relationship that supports long-term stability in Iraq.