Tag: Ministry of Defence

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

A major deal to bring the Armed Forces housing estate back into public ownership has been agreed by the government.

• Landmark deal struck to bring military housing estate back into public hands.
• Major deal unlocks new-build housing projects for military families plus essential refurbishments.
• End to huge annual rental bill to save around £230 million per year.

Billions of pounds will be saved by the deal over the next decade, delivering savings for taxpayers and enabling additional investment into homes for military families. The landmark move reverses a sale undertaken by the Government in 1996.

The Defence Secretary describes today’s announcement as a “decisive break” with the failed approach of the past, which will enable the first steps to be taken to fix the long-term decline in housing for military families and deliver homes fit for heroes. He will also commit to using the deal to help achieve the Government’s milestones on kickstarting economic growth and boosting housebuilding across the country.

Today’s deal will bring to an end to an arrangement which has seen the taxpayer spend billions of pounds on rental payments for military housing while still being liable for rising maintenance costs and handing back billions of pounds worth of military properties.

Under the agreement, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) will buy back 36,347 houses, making major redevelopment and improvements possible. The deal is part of the Government’s drive to boost military morale, tackle recruitment and retention challenges and renew the nation’s contract with those who serve.

The MOD, supported by UK Government Investments, and Annington have formally agreed that the MOD will reacquire the service family estate sold in 1996, which is now valued at £10.1 billion when not subject to leases, and is being purchased for £5,994,500,000, representing excellent value for money.

The new deal will see the immediate saving of more than £600,000 of taxpayers’ money each day, with the current annual bill of £230 million in rent being eliminated. These savings to the defence budget will help to fix “deep-set problems” in military housing, and support the development of a high-quality new homes for military families.

The announcement comes as the Government kickstarts work on a new military housing strategy, to be published next year. Key principles of the strategy will include: a generational renewal of Armed Forces accommodation; new opportunities for forces homeownership; and better use of MOD land to support the delivery of affordable homes for families across Britain.

The first steps in the strategy will include the rapid development of an action plan to deliver on the “once in a generation” opportunities unlocked by today’s deal. This work will involve independent experts, forces families and cross-government input.

This will support the Government’s Plan for Change, which is built on the strong foundation of national security. It also comes alongside the Prime Minister’s Homes for Heroes pledge to exempt veterans from rules requiring a connection to a local area before accessing social housing.

Defence Secretary, John Healey MP, said:

This deal shows our government is determined to deliver homes fit for our heroes. This is a once in a generation opportunity, not only to fix the dire state of military housing but to help drive forward our economic growth mission, creating jobs and boosting British housebuilding.

Our armed forces and their families make extraordinary sacrifices: theirs is the ultimate public service. It is shameful that in the lead up to Christmas, too many military families will be living with damp, mould and sub-standard homes – issues which have built up over the past decade.

We are determined to turn this around and renew the nation’s contract with those who serve. These important savings to the defence budget will help fix the deep-set problems we inherited. I thank the teams who have helped us reach this landmark deal at pace – another example of this government delivering for defence.

There is still a lot of work to do to deliver the homes our military families deserve, and these problems will not be fixed overnight. But this is a decisive break with the failed approach of the past and a major step forward on that journey.

Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Darren Jones said:

This is a landmark deal that will start saving the taxpayer money immediately, all while driving forward our mission to create growth across the country.

Not only does it open the door to major development and improvements across the military housing estate, but most important of all, it will help us on our mission to build more houses and deliver our service personnel the homes they deserve.

The original agreement did not strike an appropriate balance of risk and reward, and it is estimated the taxpayer is nearly £8 billion worse off as a result. Money which should have been better spent on maintaining and improving our service family homes.

Eliminating the liabilities associated with the leases creates budgetary headroom to partially fund this purchase, meaning that the public expenditure impact of this measure, and the impact on net financial debt, is confined to £1.7 billion.

The 1996 sale saw 55,000 houses sold for an average of just £27,000 each property. In buying these houses back, the government will control properties worth almost ten times that average value and will no longer be paying £230 million annually in rent.

Other areas of the deal that have cost taxpayers money or prevented improvements to the estate include:

• Annually handing back hundreds of empty properties to Annington, totalling more than 18,000 properties since 1996 – worth an estimated £5.2 billion by today’s valuations.
• Although the deal included a discount from market rent rates, the MOD – and therefore the taxpayer – have been responsible for all maintenance on all properties.
• If the MOD spent money improving a property for service families, in some circumstances this could incur greater rental costs under the terms of the deal.
• Despite most of the properties having been built in the 1950s and 1960s, the deal has prevented the MOD from being able to demolish properties or build additional houses for Service Families.

Chief of the Defence Staff, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin said:

Housing provision is a constant part of life for Service Personnel and their families, who support them closely throughout their military careers. We understand the importance placed on this for people’s morale and decisions on whether to continue in the Armed Forces long-term.

This deal is a crucial step in being able to deliver meaningful change for those who serve – an opportunity to regain control of the estate and move forward with substantial redevelopment and refurbishment. This work will provide military families the higher-quality houses they fully deserve. It is very significant and very welcome.

Following today’s deal, the MOD can start work on substantive redevelopment and improvements. The agreement frees up our ability to build on the Service Family Accommodation estate with a more modern estate, helping reduce maintenance costs and, as part of work facilitated by the deal, programmes to build new houses are being accelerated.

Planning applications will be submitted in the coming days for 265 new houses and apartments at RAF Brize Norton, and further plans will be submitted in the Spring for around 300 new houses at Catterick Garrison.

The potential for improvements to the estate can already be seen where family housing is being provided outside of the 1996 deal. At Imjin Barracks in Gloucestershire 176 modern homes are being built, which include low-carbon heating systems and solar panels, reducing energy costs for military families and improving sustainability.

The landmark deal to repurchase the estate from Annington follows the MOD’s comprehensive success in the High Court last year. The agreement brings the properties back to public ownership and delivering long term value for money for current and future taxpayers.

Since July, the Government has slashed recruitment red tape to make the process more straightforward for those wanting to join the military, announced the largest Armed Forces pay increase for 22 years and recently the Armed Forces Commissioner Bill passed its Second Reading in the House of Commons.

Background

The estimated overall budgetary impact of the agreement over the next 10 years – if no deal had been agreed – would be around £5.9 billion in rent payments and capital charges, as well as additional properties currently valued at around £1.3 billion being handed back to Annington.

Taxpayers being £8 billion worse off as a result of the deal:

• £4.3 billion spent in rent.
• 18,000 properties handed back to Annington – with an estimated current market value of £5.2 billion.
• £1.7 billion income generated in 1996 for the taxpayer as part of the original deal.
• Total – £7.8 billion worse off.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 12 December 2024.

The operation has concluded after more than two years of successfully protecting Polish airspace.

British personnel have been thanked for their work in supporting the defence of Poland’s airspace, as the UK’s Sky Sabre air defence deployment comes to an end.

Initially planned as a six-month deployment in 2022, the operation has been extended four times, playing an important role in boosting NATO’s eastern flank and strengthening the alliance’s security in light of Russian aggression in the region, and in close co-ordination with Polish and other allied forces.

Sky Sabre will be reconstituted in the UK, ensuring that the UK Armed Forces has flexibility on operational requirements in future, including training more personnel on the system.

UK and Polish troops marked the end of the two-year deployment of the Sky Sabre system at a ceremony in Rzeszów, Poland, last week.

The conclusion of the deployment was marked by a joint visit from Minister for the Armed Forces, Luke Pollard MP and Polish Secretary of State Paweł Zalewski. The Minister for the Armed Forces thanked British service personnel who have been deployed alongside Sky Sabre over the previous 2 years.

Minister for the Armed Forces, Luke Pollard MP said:

This operation has been a huge success. The Sky Sabre system played an important role in defending Poland’s airspace.

Our outstanding Armed Forces personnel keep us secure at home and strong abroad and I’d like to thank them for their professionalism and hard work during this extended deployment, I’d also like to welcome them home for some well-deserved rest with their loved ones over the Christmas period.

The UK remains unshakeable in its commitment to defending our NATO allies, and we will continue to work closely with our Polish Allies, including through a deployment of RAF Typhoons next year. We continue to work with our Polish friends to deliver the NAREW programme.

The NAREW programme is a collaboration between UK firm MBDA and Polish defence company PGZ, which will see Poland receive more than 1,000 Common Anti-Air Modular Missiles – Extended Range (CAMM-ER) and over 100 iLaunchers.

These will boost Poland’s ability to defend itself against modern threats, including cruise missiles and fighter jets, at ranges of more than 40 kilometres.

The programme is also a boost to the UK’s defence industry, creating growth and opportunities back home and reaffirming our commitment to defending Poland and NATO’s eastern flank.

Since Sky Sabre’s initial deployment in 2022, Poland have continued to develop their long-term defence projects alongside the UK and our allies, which includes a new £4bn defence agreement with the UK defence industry, that will protect their airspace and NATO’s eastern flank for years to come.

The UK will continue to play an active role in defending Poland’s air space. Next year, the Royal Air Force will take part in a NATO Air Policing mission in Poland, deterring our adversaries above NATO’s eastern flank.

The UK-led DIAMOND initiative, which Poland is part of, will improve NATO’s integrated air and missile defence by ensuring that the different air defence systems across the Alliance operate better and more jointly across Europe. The UK launched this initiative at the October meeting of NATO Defence Ministers this year.

In October, the Army deployed specialist engineers to support the Polish authorities deal with devastating floods that hit the country. The British Army also has more than 100 permanently deployed troops in country, as part of the UK’s enhance forward presence.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 12 December 2024.

Government has launched £75 million LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme after discussions with veterans.

LGBT veterans will receive up to £70,000 each to acknowledge the historic wrongs they experienced in the Armed Forces – with the Government increasing the total amount available for payments up to £75 million, significantly above the level recommended in the Etherton Review into the treatment of LGBT veterans.

The increase follows extensive engagement with LGBT veterans and demonstrates the Government’s commitment to supporting veterans alongside recognising the historic hurt caused.

LGBT veterans who were dismissed or discharged because of their sexual orientation or gender identify will receive £50,000. As a result of the increased funding, additional payments of up to £20,000 will be available for veterans and Service Personnel who were negatively affected by the ban on LGBT personnel from 1967 to 2000 during their time in Service – this is an increase of 50% to the Financial Recognition Scheme.

Ministers have also announced today (Thursday 12 December) that LGBT veterans, dismissed or discharged due to their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity, can apply to have their rank restored and discharge reason amended.

Defence Secretary John Healey said:

The historic treatment of LGBT veterans was a moral stain on our nation.  Our Government is determined to right the wrongs of the past and recognise the hurt that too many endured.

We have listened to veterans and will continue to deliver against the recommendations set out in the Etherton review. We will continue to support our veterans as we work to renew the nation’s contract with those who serve, and have served.

This work was rightly started by the previous Government, and will be taken forward and delivered by this Government.

The Financial Recognition Scheme and other restorative measures will be debated in the House of Commons today (Thursday 12 December), with a portal for applications opening tomorrow. Several veterans affected by the LGBT ban have been invited to watch the debate.

Today’s announcements mark a significant step towards implementing Lord Etherton’s review, which looked at the appalling treatment of LGBT serving personnel between 1967 and 2000. With applications opening tomorrow for the Financial Recognition Scheme, which will leave only seven recommendations outstanding, the Ministry of Defence is working closely with other Government departments and stakeholders to ensure all remaining recommendations are delivered in 2025.

The payments announced today (Thursday 12 December) will be exempt from income tax and means tested benefits, ensuring LGBT veterans benefit from the full amount available.

Minister for Veterans and People Alistair Carns said:

This response to Lord Etherton’s Review indicates the urgent action we’re taking to help redress the regrettable chapter in the history of the Armed Forces.

The treatment of LGBT people is a shameful chapter in the history of our Armed Forces and we are working hard to address the wrongs of the past.

We fully welcome our LGBT veterans back into Defence and acknowledge their vital contribution to keeping the nation safe.

To help as many eligible people to apply as possible, the Ministry of Defence has set aside a £90,000 fund for key charities to support LGBT veterans with their applications.

Four non-financial restorative measures, including the two announced today on rank restoration and the qualification of administrative discharges, will be extended to those who served before 1967. The other two are certificates of service being reissued and former Officers having their service details published in The Gazette.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 11 December 2024.

A high-energy laser weapon has been fired by the British Army from an armoured vehicle for the first time and successfully destroyed flying drones.

It works by directing an intense beam of infra-red light in the form of energy towards its target using advanced sensors and tracking systems which maintain lock-on and accuracy in real time.

Unlike conventional munitions, laser weapons are virtually limitless in terms of ammunition supply, which means they could represent a cost-effective alternative to some current in-service weapons.

The laser was integrated onto a Wolfhound – a protected troop-carrying vehicle – where soldiers from 16 Royal Artillery were able to track and down hovering targets at Radnor Range in mid-Wales.

Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry, Maria Eagle MP, said:

“This ground-breaking technology demonstrates Britain’s commitment to staying at the forefront of military innovation.

“The successful testing of this laser weapon system represents a significant step forward in our development of possible future defence capabilities and showcases British engineering excellence.”

The laser has been developed through a collaboration between the MOD’s Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) and Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) – known as Team Hersa – and an industry consortium led by Raytheon UK.

This delivers on the Government’s Plan for Change, by rapidly advancing technologies and building on the strong foundation of national security.

Warrant Officer Matthew Anderson, trials manager for the British Army’s Mounted Close Combat Trials and Development Group, said:

“Every engagement we’ve done has removed a drone from the sky. While we’ve been testing a variety of distances, speeds and altitudes, one thing has remained – how quick a drone can be taken out.

“It’s definitely a capability that could be added to the arsenal of weapons that we use on the battlefield.”

The purpose of the capability demonstrator programme is to discover and test the potential future use of directed energy weapons by the British Army.

Having already been tested by engineers from MOD and industry, the latest experimentation by the British Army should provide knowledge, information and experience to support future requirement decisions, ensuring the UK stays at the forefront of this novel and disruptive technology.

Stephen Waller, Directed Energy Weapons Team Leader for DE&S, said:

“This is still an emerging technology, but the world has changed and we are seeing more use of drones in the battlespace. This requires a more cost-effective solution to protect our troops.

“Having the capability to track and eliminate moving drones will give UK troops a better operational advantage and these successful trials have demonstrated that we are well on our way to achieving this.”

As well as Raytheon, Fraser Nash, NP Aerospace, LumOptica, Blighter Surveillance Systems and Cambridge Pixel have been involved in developing the weapon under a £16.8 million contract awarded by Team Hersa.

UK MOD will take the learnings of the project into account and assess the necessary steps to develop Laser Directed Energy Weapons for frontline use by the British Army in the future.

Matt Cork, Head of Team Hersa Dstl said:

“The successful testing of the Laser Directed Energy Weapon demonstrator is an important step towards a future capability. This technology has the potential to offer a credible and cost-effective means to defeat a range of current and future threats, which would improve the effectiveness of our armed forces”

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

The construction of HMS Sheffield, an advanced anti-submarine warfare ship for the Royal Navy, officially began today with a traditional steel-cutting ceremony in Glasgow.

Nearly 2,000 jobs and apprenticeships will be supported through the production of Type 26 frigates, providing valuable employment opportunities for skilled workers and apprentices in Scotland. Around 4,000 jobs will be supported throughout the UK supply chain, in a boost to the economy.

HMS Sheffield is the fifth of eight Type 26 frigates being built in Scotland, marking another significant step forward in the City Class frigate programme, designed for a service life of at least 25 years, serving into the 2060s.

Representatives from BAE Systems, Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), the Royal Navy, and government joined employees for the event, as an apprentice official cut steel on HMS Sheffield.

Attending the ceremony, Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry, Maria Eagle MP, said:

This steel cutting ceremony marks another key moment for both our Royal Navy and British shipbuilding.

HMS Sheffield represents not just a cutting-edge addition to our fleet, but also demonstrates our commitment to supporting thousands of skilled jobs and economic growth across Scotland and the wider UK.

This investment in our naval capability ensures we can continue to protect our nation’s interests while supporting British industry.

The Type 26 frigates will replace the current Type 23 fleet and will be among the world’s most advanced warships, supporting our national security. Their primary role will be to protect the Royal Navy’s Continuous At Sea Deterrent and Carrier Strike Group.

These versatile ships will also support international operations, including counter-piracy missions and humanitarian relief work. This will support the UK in creating a stronger defence and ensuring our Armed Forces are better equipped to tackle the threats of the future.

Sir Simon Lister, Managing Director, BAE Systems, Naval Ships said:

This is a proud moment for our talented teams across the UK who play their part in the design and construction of these important vessels.

HMS Sheffield’s construction will benefit from a range of investments, which are transforming our digital and physical infrastructure and will consolidate a centre of excellence for UK shipbuilding in Glasgow.

I’d like to thank our customers and suppliers for their support and commitment as we take this programme forward together and deliver the next generation frigates for the Royal Navy.

HMS Sheffield is a name steeped in Royal Navy history, with the name previously on several ships, including on a Town class cruiser which saw extensive action during the Second World War, and a Type 42 destroyer which was deployed during the Falklands War.

Construction of all of the City Class Type 26 frigates is expected to be completed by the mid-2030s, with HMS Glasgow, the first in class, entering service by the end of 2028.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 18 November 2024.

British soldiers are to receive high-tech rifle sights, helping them to better track and shoot the enemy in dark conditions.

• Rifle sight systems for British soldiers will upgrade night fighting capabilities.
• High-tech kit improves rifle accuracy in the dark.
• Jobs boost as contract will sustain 650 skilled jobs in North Wales.

British soldiers are to receive high-tech rifle sights, helping them to better track and shoot the enemy in dark conditions, under a new contract announced by the MOD today.

The new contract will supply up to 10,000 high performance rifle sights and is a jobs boost for North Wales, sustaining 650 jobs in St Asaph, Denbighshire.

This supports the Government’s economic growth mission and underlines defence’s contribution to growth across the UK.

The TALON Fused Weapon Sight is manufactured by defence company Qioptiq and is the most advanced sight the British Army will have used.

The sight helps with war fighting at night, as it uses the latest optical technology to detect enemy soldiers better in low light. The sight also has an advanced ability to recognise adversaries through body heat, known as thermal recognition.

The TALON sight will also provide soldiers with the ability to more accurately detect enemy targets from an increased distance up to 1 kilometre, including in the dark. They will fit seamlessly onto the Army’s SA80 A3 and HUNTER rifles.

Minister for the Armed Forces, Luke Pollard said:

Rolling out this high-tech rifle sight shows how we’re investing in new tech for our soldiers to take the fight to our adversaries.

The rifle night sights are tried and tested, proving highly effective to keep British soldiers protected in difficult environments.

The deal is also a great jobs boost for Wales, with £120 million invested and 650 jobs sustained in the local area.

The £120 million contract continues procurement of the TALON sight, under a seven-year Framework Agreement with Qioptiq.

While some soldiers are already using the sight in tests, the first of the new sights is expected to be in use more widely across the Army next year (2025).

The Enhanced Light Force Battalion, 2 Royal YORKS based in Chester, have been tasked since 2021 with trialling the development of the cutting-edge rifle night sight systems. British soldiers got firsthand experience with the advanced rifle capability and provided glowing feedback.

Brigadier Nick Serle, Head Military Capability Delivery (MCD) in the British Army Headquarters Programmes Directorate said:

This contract results from true collaboration between the user community, our trials and development teams, Dstl, DE&S and Qioptiq. We expect the sight to continue to develop and remain truly world-leading. It is testament to the power of collaboration.

Critical in-service support for the sights will be managed through the Surveillance and Target Acquisition support contract delivered by Excelitas, which owns Qioptiq.

Peter White, Managing Director of Excelitas, said:

We’re delighted that the British Army and DE&S continue to recognise the enhanced fighting capabilities of our TALON fused weapon sight delivers.

We look forward to delivering this world-leading system for the end users for many years to come, supported by our 650 skilled employees at our facility in North Wales.

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.