Tag: Ministry of Defence

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.

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.