Tag: Ministry of Defence

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 16 July 2024.

New Defence Secretary, John Healey, has set out Britain’s commitment to the AUKUS partnership as an important driver of jobs and growth.

• Defence Secretary and Australian Deputy Prime Minister tour UK military steel production plant.
• Site supports hundreds of local skilled jobs with bright future under AUKUS.
• Steel components from Sheffield to be used on future UK and Australian nuclear-powered submarines.

New Defence Secretary, John Healey, has set out Britain’s commitment to the AUKUS partnership as an important driver of jobs and growth in Yorkshire and across the UK.

Joined by the Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister, Richard Marles, on a tour of a key military steel supplier in Sheffield, the pair saw first-hand how the business is benefiting from AUKUS – the trilateral defence and security partnership between the UK, US and Australia.

John Healey today reaffirmed the UK’s staunch commitment to AUKUS and the jobs and growth it can deliver for Britain.

The AUKUS submarine programme will generate 7,000 additional British jobs. At its peak, there will be over 21,000 people working on the SSN-AUKUS programmes in the UK supply chain.

The visit comes after Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke to Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, with the leaders outlining their commitment to the strong AUKUS partnership.

Australia and the UK are close partners, working together on the most pressing global security issues. The two ministers also discussed UK-Australian cooperation to support Ukraine, our close coordination in the Indo-Pacific and our joint commitment to ensuring the AUKUS partnership fully delivers its potential.

Defence Secretary, John Healey said:

Working with allies and partners is fundamental to our security and so it is a pleasure to host my Australian counterpart within my first fortnight as Defence Secretary. The UK and Australia are the closest of friends and our work through AUKUS is testament to this.

Sheffield Forgemasters is a shining light of UK industry that helps boost global security and employs skilled staff from the local community. This is just one example of how our hugely important partnership with our Australian and American partners can help drive jobs and growth across Britain.

Sheffield Forgemasters manufacture specialist steel parts used in critical UK defence programmes, including highly complex, nuclear-grade steel components for nuclear-armed submarines. Their parts will also be used in future UK and Australian conventionally armed, nuclear-powered, submarines – known as SSN-AUKUS – which will be the largest, most advanced and most powerful attack submarines ever operated by the Royal Navy.

Deputy Prime Minister for Australia, Richard Marles said:

Australia and the United Kingdom’s relationship is enduring and forged in deep history.

Be it under the defence and security cooperation agreement, or the work we continue to achieve under AUKUS, we are modernising our partnership.

And importantly, we continue to work together on our support for Ukraine and to support a global rules-based order.

Opportunities through the AUKUS supply chain for British industry could be worth billions across the coming decades, supporting thousands of jobs in both countries.

Sheffield Forgemasters is fully owned by the Ministry of Defence, employing around 650 skilled workers, with more than £900 million invested to date to modernise and expand the business. Both the UK and Australian governments have made hundreds of millions of pounds of joint investment into the infrastructure and capability of the business. This investment shows the commitment both governments are making in the region and to the wider UK supply chain supporting the AUKUS endeavour. Latest statistics show £330 million is spent annually with the defence industry in Yorkshire & The Humber, with more than 2,500 jobs supported.

The tour at Sheffield Forgemasters followed Richard Marles visiting HMNB Clyde in Scotland to see first-hand how the UK operates its nuclear submarine base, including exposure to an Astute Class submarine and the UK approach to the operation, maintenance and regulation of these attack vessels.

Just last week the first three Royal Australian Navy officers graduated from the Royal Navy’s Nuclear Reactor Course at HMS Sultan in Gosport. The graduates will now go on to serve in Astute-class submarines side-by-side with the Royal Navy to gain first-hand at-sea experience with naval nuclear propulsion technology.

Their success marks a significant milestone in developing the skilled workforce needed to operate Australia’s future conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarine capability being developed under the AUKUS partnership.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 6 July 2024.

The Prime Minister spoke to the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, this morning.

The leaders exchanged congratulations on their respective election wins, and reflected on the strength of the relationship between the UK and India.

The Prime Minister said he looked forward to further deepening the strong and respectful relationship between both countries, and welcomed Prime Minister Modi’s leadership on key global challenges, such as climate change and economic growth.

Discussing the importance of the living bridge between the UK and India, and the 2030 roadmap, the leaders agreed there was a wide range of areas across defence and security, critical and emerging technology, and climate change, for the two countries to deepen cooperation on.

Discussing the Free Trade Agreement, the Prime Minister said he stood ready to conclude a deal that worked for both sides.

The leaders hoped to meet at the earliest opportunity.

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

Royal Navy warship HMS Trent will deploy to the Cayman Islands to offer UK support following the devastation brought this week by Hurricane Beryl.

HMS Trent, an Offshore Patrol Vessel, is scheduled to arrive in the Cayman Islands this weekend, where her crew will be ready to offer assistance with equipment and support to help communities affected by flooding and storm damage.

The hurricane, which has previously been rated Category 5, could bring winds of more than 155mph and has already caused a large amount of destruction in the region this week.

HMS Trent is crewed by more than 50 sailors and departed from Puerto Rico yesterday, carrying bottled water, basic emergency supplies, and equipment.

The ship has a Crisis Response Troop embarked, comprising members of 24 Commando Royal Engineers and their equipment, and further augmented with personnel to support planning, information operations, meteorological forecasting, and image capture.

Additional personnel include a team from 700X Naval Air Squadron who provide HMS Trent’s embarked PUMA Flight (Remote Piloted Air System), allowing them to conduct airborne reconnaissance and damage assessment in direct support of 24 Commando activity.

A specialist Rapid Deployment Team has already travelled to the Eastern Caribbean to provide consular assistance to any affected British Nationals. The UK continues to work with the Caribbean’s crisis response organisation, CDEMA, to provide assistance for the worst affected islands, including St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Grenada.

In previous years, members of the Armed Forces have deployed to the Caribbean under Operation Ventus to provide humanitarian assistance in the form of food and basic medical relief, as well as engineering to repair damaged homes and infrastructure, and creating flood and hurricane defences.

Hurricane Beryl has been described as the earliest ever Category 5 storm to form in the Atlantic, with storms of this scale usually recorded later in the summer.

HMS Trent has been deployed to the Caribbean since the end of 2023, where she has been disrupting drug networks across the world following a series of drugs seizures at sea.

In May, it was confirmed HMS Trent’s crew had seized more than £204 million worth of cocaine following an intercept in the Caribbean Sea – which followed a double-bust earlier in the year where nearly £300 million was seized.

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

The graves of six soldiers from Welsh regiments, who went missing in France and Belgium during World War One, have now been marked more than a century after their deaths.

Though all six soldiers had been buried at the times of their deaths, their names had been lost. Their graves were only identified recently after researchers submitted cases to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s (CWGC).

Further research by the MOD’s Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC), also known as the ‘MOD War Detectives’, the CWGC, and the National Army Museum, used sources such as war diaries, service records, grave registration reports and other documents. Following this, the original findings were confirmed allowing each soldier to be commemorated by name.

The grave rededication services were organised by JCCC, and saw named headstones provided for Second Lieutenant (2/Lt) Noel Osbourne Jones; 2/Lt Herbert Taggart; Private (Pte) Lionel Grove and Captain (Capt) Clifford Nichols, all of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, as well as Lance Corporal (L/Cpl) Arthur Dowding of the Monmouthshire Regiment and Pte George Price of the South Wales Borderers. The services were attended by serving soldiers and representatives of The Royal Welsh.

The services were held in France on 2 July at CWGC’s Bellicourt British Cemetery and Cabaret Rouge British Cemetery, as well as in Belgium, on 3 July, at Bedford House Cemetery and Chester Farm Cemetery. The family of Captain Nichols attended.

JCCC Caseworker, Alexia Clark, said:

Researching these six men and getting to know their individual war stories has been a fascinating journey. It has been a privilege to have played a part in the conclusion of those stories and to know that their families finally have answers to what happened to them.

2/Lt Noel Osborne-Jones, 2/Lt Herbert Taggart, and Pte Lionel Grove were all killed on 8 May 1916 while conducting a trench raid. Their bodies were recovered by the Germans and buried by them at Fournes, before being moved to the Cabaret Rouge Cemetery after the war. Unfortunately, the Germans did not know their names, and as such they identified their bodies only by rank and regiment. Following the war, all three men were named on the Memorial to the Missing at Loos.

L/Cpl Dowding was killed in action near Ramicourt in October 1918, just weeks before the end of the war. Although he was buried at the time of his death, key information about his grave was lost in the chaos of conflict, and after the war he was named on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial.

Captain Nichols was killed during the Battle of Passchendaele on 31 July 1917. At the time of his death, he was listed as a member of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers who had been attached to 164 Machine Gun Company. His body was recovered from an unmarked field grave near Spree Farm in 1923, and his rank and regiment were identified by his buttons and badges. Unfortunately, there was nothing to indicate his name at the time, and he was buried as an unknown officer. Following the war, Capt. Nichols was commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing in Ypres.

Private Price was killed in action near Hill 60, Belgium in October 1917. He was originally buried in a field grave, but by the end of the war all recordings of his name had been lost. He was commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial to the Missing.

The services were conducted by The Reverend Richard Mutter CF, Chaplain to 1st Battalion The Royal Welsh.

The Reverend Richard Mutter CF said:

To restore the names to these young men and to honour their sacrifice here in this place is a very special thing. I am pleased to have led these services of rededication and to help close the final chapter of these men’s stories.

The headstones over the graves were replaced by CWGC. Xavier Puppinck, France Area Director at CWGC, said:

It is an honour for the CWGC to care for the graves of these six valiant soldiers of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, the Monmouthshire Regiment and the South Wales Borderers who went missing in France and Belgium during World War One. They paid the ultimate price while fighting on the Western Front, more than 100 years ago. And now, it is our privilege and duty to care for their graves in perpetuity.

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

A number of military personnel have been granted state honours in the King’s Birthday Honours list for their work in the Armed Forces.

Royal Navy Awards

Promotions in and appointments to the military division of the most honourable order of the Bath.

As Knight Commander

• Lieutenant General Charles Richard STICKLAND, CB, OBE

As Companion

• Rear Admiral Rex John COX

Promotions in and appointments to the military division of the most excellent order of the British Empire.

As Commanders

• Rear Admiral Paul BEATTIE
• Commodore David Andrew JOYCE
• Commodore David Christopher MOODY
• Major General Philip Mark TOTTEN, OBE

As Officers

• Commodore Andrew John AITKEN
• Commander Stephen BRIAN
• Lieutenant Colonel Oliver William DENNING
• Commander Iain Buchan FERGUSSON
• Commander James HOWARD
• Colonel Aran Ernest Kingston JESS
• Lieutenant Colonel (now Acting Colonel) Craig Edward RENNEY

As Members

• Major Matthew ADAMS
• Colour Sergeant David Robert BARTLETT
• Warrant Officer 2 Marcus BASSETT
• Commander Liam Bernard BYRD
• Major Mark Ashley CARROLL
• Petty Officer Engineering Technician (Communications and Information Systems Submarines) Matthew CONNICK
• Chief Petty Officer Engineering Technician (Communications and Information Systems) Adrian David GRIMES
• Commander Christopher HILL
• Lieutenant Commander (now Acting Commander) Alasdair MAGILL
• Lieutenant Commander Lyndsay Ann OLDRIDGE
• Captain Mark WILLIAMS

King’s Volunteer Reserves Medal

• Warrant Officer 1 Gary Robert DOKE, Royal Naval Reserve

Army Awards

Promotions in and appointments to the military division of the most honourable order of the Bath.

As Knight Commander

• Lieutenant General Ian John CAVE, CB

As Companions

• Major General John Richard COLLYER
• Major General Anna-Lee REILLY
• Lieutenant General Richard WARDLAW, OBE

Promotions in and appointments to the military division of the most excellent order of the British Empire.

As Commanders

• Brigadier Richard Charles BROWN
• Brigadier Edward John Rafe CHAMBERLAIN
• Colonel (now Acting Brigadier) Gavin Paul HATCHER, OBE
• Brigadier Justin George Edward STENHOUSE, DSO, MBE

As Officers

• Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Caradoc BLACKMORE, Intelligence Corps
• Lieutenant Colonel Simon Charles BOYLE, The Royal Welsh
• Colonel James David FORREST, Army Reserve
• Lieutenant Colonel Adrian HOLLIS, Royal Regiment of Artillery
• Lieutenant Colonel Carl Edward Robert MEYER, Royal Army Medical Corps, Army Reserve
• Lieutenant Colonel Robert Rowland PHILIPSON-STOW, The Blues and Royals (Royal Horse Guards and 1st Dragoons)
• Colonel Katherine Morag RICHARDSON
• Colonel Zarack Dilwyn Coulson SCOTT
• Colonel Sion Duncan WALKER, TD, VR, Army Reserve
• Lieutenant Colonel Adam James ZIPFELL, Army Air Corps

As Members

• Major (now Acting Lieutenant Colonel) James Edward ALLEN, Royal Regiment of Artillery
• Major Ranjankumar BADGAMI, The Royal Gurkha Rifles
• Captain William John BARRACLOUGH, Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
• Major Jenny Elizabeth CONNELL, Adjutant General’s Corps (Army Legal Services Branch)
• Major Jean-Sebastien CORMIER, Royal Regiment of Artillery
• Major Liam Terence CRANE, Royal Corps of Signals
• Major (now Acting Lieutenant Colonel) Michael Olaf Chetwynd DOBBIN, DSO, MC, Grenadier Guards
• Warrant Officer Class 2 Rupert John DOWDESWELL, Adjutant General’s Corps (Staff and Personnel Support Branch)
• Major Thomas Edward DUDLEY, The Queen’s Royal Hussars
• Captain Dannielle Jade DUNN, Corps of Royal Engineers
• Major Michael Graham ELLIOTT, The Rifles
• Major Andrew David FORD, The Royal Logistic Corps
• Sergeant Peter HARVEY-JONES, Intelligence Corps
• Major George Thomas HOLDCROFT, The Royal Logistic Corps
• Major Andrew James HORSFALL, The Royal Lancers (Queen Elizabeth’s Own)
• Captain Theodoros Roezelt JORDAAN, Adjutant General’s Corps (Educational and Training Services Branch)
• Major (now Acting Lieutenant Colonel) Jodie Anne Bowie KENNEDY-SMITH, VR, The Royal Logistic Corps, Army Reserve
• Lieutenant Colonel Simon Philip MAGGS, The Queen’s Royal Hussars
• Warrant Officer Class 2 John Stanley MAUCHLEN, The Parachute Regiment
• Captain (now Acting Major) Renata Dawn McKINNELL, Intelligence Corps, Army Reserve
• Captain Chris MUDGE, Intelligence Corps
• Warrant Officer Class 1 Marjorie Shamiso MUZAVAZI, Adjutant General’s Corps (Staff and Personnel Support Branch)
• Lieutenant Colonel Katherine Hazel PRUDHOE, Adjutant General’s Corps (Educational and Training Services Branch), Army Reserve
• Major Lucy Christina SCOTT, Royal Regiment of Artillery
• Sergeant Kelly Louise STEPHENSON, Adjutant General’s Corps (Royal Military Police)
• Major Ronald Benjamin TASKER, The Queen’s Royal Hussars
• Major Andrew John THACKWAY, The Royal Logistic Corps
• Major Timothy James Hamilton TOWLER, The Royal Regiment of Scotland
• Captain Paul David TYRER, The Mercian Regiment, Army Reserve
• Lieutenant Colonel Duncan Ruthven WILSON, The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers
• Warrant Officer Class 2 Nicholas WITHERS, The Parachute Regiment
• Lance Corporal Yan-Hap David WONG, Corps of Royal Engineers

Royal Red Cross

As an Ordinary Associate of the Royal Red Cross, Second Class

• Major Robert Stuart GARBETT, VR, Queen Alexandra’s Royal Army Nursing Corps, Army Reserve

King’s Volunteer Reserves Medal

• Corporal Nicholas Anthony CRANFIELD, VR, Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, Army Reserve
• Lieutenant Colonel Charles Edward Dyer FIELD, VR, The Royal Yeomanry, Army Reserve
• Staff Sergeant Kevin William McLEAN, VR, Royal Corps of Signals, Army Reserve
• Colonel Jonathan Layton PRICHARD, Army Reserve

Royal Air Force Awards

Promotions in and appointments to the military division of the most honourable order of the Bath.

As Companion

• Air Marshal Martin Elliott SAMPSON, CBE, DSO

Promotions in and appointments to the military division of the most excellent order of the British Empire.

As Commanders

• Air Commodore Mark David LORRIMAN-HUGHES, OBE
• Air Commodore James William Stephen THOMPSON
• Group Captain Sarah VAMPLEW

As Officers

• Wing Commander Christopher David BALL
• Group Captain David COLLINS
• Wing Commander Fiona Margaret DYSON
• Wing Commander Arthur MCGUIRE
• Wing Commander Wesley PEAD
• Wing Commander James SJOBERG

As Members

• Chief Technician Stuart William BENSON
• Flight Sergeant Keith Paul BURT
• Wing Commander Andrew Jon BUTTERFIELD
• Squadron Leader Richard Martin DODD
• Squadron Leader Howard FIELDER
• Squadron Leader Christopher GORDON
• Squadron Leader Barry LAWS
• Flight Sergeant (now Acting Warrant Officer) Jonathan Nigel OWENS
• Warrant Officer Michelle REES-MARTIN
• Warrant Officer Christopher David TAYLOR
• Flight Sergeant Christopher WORKMAN

Royal Red Cross

As an Ordinary Associate of the Royal Red Cross, Second Class

• Squadron Leader Harmony Avril SLADE

King’s Volunteer Reserves Medal

• Wing Commander Stephen Michael FRY, DL
• Squadron Leader Simon James KIRKBRIDE
• Master Aircrew Dean William Edward PENLINGTON, MBE

Operational Awards

Royal Navy

Promotions in and appointments to the military division of the most excellent order of the British Empire.

As Officer

• Commander George Houston STORTON

As Member

• Lieutenant Commander David Wayne DONBAVAND

Army

Promotions in and appointments to the military division of the most excellent order of the British Empire.

As Officer

Lieutenant Colonel Haydn James GAUKROGER, The Parachute Regiment

As Members

• Warrant Officer Class 2 Osamah Omar AL-KHALDI, Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
• Major Yugal ANGBO, Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
• Lance Corporal Charlotte Sophie PARRY, Intelligence Corps

King’s Commendation for Bravery

• Trooper Lorcan Ignatius Valentine Noel GRAYDON, The Blues and Royals (Royal Horse Guards and 1st Dragoons)

King’s Commendation for Valuable Service

• Acting Brigadier Matthew Richard BAKER, OBE
• Lieutenant Colonel Shane Stephen BURTON, The Royal Gurkha Rifles
• Major David Alexander EDMONDSON, Army Air Corps
• Captain Barry Kieron GREEN, Royal Regiment of Artillery
• Major Ashley Michael NEVE, The Parachute Regiment
• Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Anderson FORREST, The Royal Irish Regiment

Non-Operational Gallantry

King’s Commendation for Bravery

• Acting Corporal Richard David HAYES, The Parachute Regiment
• Major Harry Alexander Robarts WALLACE, Royal Regiment of Artillery

Royal Air Force

Promotions in and appointments to the military division of the most excellent order of the British Empire.

As Member

• Squadron Leader Graham James ORME

King’s Commendation for Valuable Service

• Squadron Leader Daniel BLENKINSOP
• Sergeant James CASEY

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 3 June 2024.

It is with great sadness that the Ministry of Defence must confirm the death of Squadron Leader Mark Long.

Born in Bury St Edmunds, Mark was 43 years old.

While studying Economics at the University of Warwick, Mark learnt to fly on the University of Birmingham Air Squadron. He graduated from Initial Officer Training in 2003 and was subsequently sent to RAF Linton on Ouse to fly the Tucano, gaining his ‘wings’ in 2004. His Advanced Flying Training was on the Hawk and he was selected to remain on 208(R) Squadron to take on the role of an Instructor.

On completion of his instructional tour, Mark converted to the Harrier GR7/9 and was posted to 1(F) Squadron, RAF Cottesmore. He was the last RAF Harrier pilot qualified to conduct operations off an aircraft carrier.

In 2012 Mark joined the Typhoon Force, and was assigned to XI Squadron at RAF Coningsby, before an assignment to 29 Squadron in 2014 on instructional duties. In 2016 he was the Typhoon Display Pilot. His primary role was to teach the student pilots how to operate the Typhoon.

In addition to his instructional duties, Mark contributed to RAF Coningsby’s primary task of defending UK sovereign airspace by undertaking Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) duties, both in the UK and in the British Forces South Atlantic Islands (Falklands Islands), and additionally conducting QRA duties whilst on Baltic Air Policing Operations in Lithuania.

Mark lived in Lincolnshire with his wife, two daughters and dog. 2024 was his fourth season with the BBMF.

Mark’s family said:

Mark lived his life with an unwavering passion with laughter, love, and dedication to his family. His talent for flying was there for all to see, and his ability to connect to everyone he met was infectious.  Mark will be cherished and deeply missed by us all.

Squadron Leader Mark Sugden, Officer Commanding Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, said:

In life, we are occasionally privileged to meet incredible people like Mark. Mark touched the hearts of everyone that he met, always prioritising the needs of others before himself. The epitome of a military fighter pilot, he personified the very best of the Royal Air Force and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. We were lucky to have him as part of the team and part of our BBMF family. Always a vision of calm, Mark faced life’s obstacles with a wry smile, a knowing nod and a pint of tea. Above all, he was a devoted husband and a proud father. Whilst words alone cannot adequately convey our loss, he will remain forever “the best boss that BBMF never had.

Wing Commander Andy Shaw, Officer Commanding 29 Squadron, said:

Mark was a humble, kind, generous family man as well as an outstanding fighter pilot, instructor, and Display Pilot. He inspired every single Typhoon pilot in the RAF, and taught many of them, bringing an infectious enthusiasm to every task. His loss will be keenly felt both throughout the Typhoon Force and by those who knew him in his Display and BBMF roles.

Throughout, he mentored and cared for all those around him. Personally, he was a great support and friend to me as squadron commander but, more tellingly, he mentored many of our more junior members, some of whom have been selected to be trained as pilots themselves. As a member of 29 Squadron for the last decade, Squadron Leader Mark Long will be deeply missed, and our thoughts are with his family and those who loved him at this time.

Group Captain Billy Cooper, Commander Air Wing, said:

My deepest condolences go out to Mark’s family and friends at this incredibly tragic and difficult time. Mark was a hugely respected fighter pilot, instructor, and friend, and one of the most talented aviators I have flown with. His service over many years has contributed such a huge amount to not only the operational effectiveness of the Typhoon Air Wing, but also had such a positive impact on the lives of so many. He was selected to be the Typhoon Display Pilot for the 2016 season, followed by his time with BBMF.

Nothing better demonstrates his outstanding skill as a pilot, his exemplary leadership, and his engaging and infectious personality than this unique achievement. Mark was the quintessential RAF Officer; respectful, humble, upbeat, and driven by an innate sense of service and professionalism and doing the right thing by others. His time as an instructor and leader has touched everybody on the Typhoon Air Wing and people’s lives are better because of him.

Air Vice-Marshal Mark Flewin, Air Officer Commanding Number 1 Group, said:

I was deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic incident over the weekend and wish to extend my heartfelt condolences to Mark’s family and his loved ones.

A superbly talented Combat Air and Display Pilot, Mark inspired all those he met with his truly infectious energy, across both the Combat Air Force and all those serving at Royal Air Force Coningsby.

Having seen first-hand the difference Mark made within the Typhoon Force, the Display Wing, and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, I know his talent and energy will leave a lasting legacy, which will continue to be a source of inspiration for us all.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 3 June 2024.

The drones will be procured as part of the Drone Capability Coalition for Ukraine, co-led by the UK and Latvia.

In February, the UK and Latvia announced that they would lead the new Drone Capability Coalition, designed to rapidly supply Ukraine with tens of thousands of first person view drones.

Today, the UK and Latvia have opened the bidding for companies to supply FPV drones to Ukraine, on behalf of the Drone Capability Coalition. This competition aims to produce these drones at scale and at an affordable price point, leveraging the strength of Western industry.

Industry can find the details of how to apply via the Defence Sourcing Portal. This competition is open to industry from any nation in the Ukraine Defence Contact Group.

Companies have until 28 June 2024 to submit their proposals, which will then be considered by the Drone Capability Coalition members and evaluated. Successful companies will receive orders to supply drones to Ukraine and, upon receipt of positive operational feedback, the intent is to place larger, follow up orders for FPV drones. Additional FPV competitions are expected to take place through 2024, building on the lessons learned from this first competition.

First person view drones have proven highly effective on the battlefield since Russia’s full-scale invasion, providing Ukrainian operators with situational awareness to target enemy positions, armoured vehicles, and ships with explosive ordnance.

Members of the coalition include: UK, Latvia, Australia, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Lithuania, Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, and Ukraine. Further countries are considering joining the coalition.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 30 May 2024.

Royal Air Force participates in operation targeting Houthi military facilities in Yemen.

On Thursday 30 May, UK forces participated in a joint operation with US forces against Houthi military facilities to degrade their ability to persist with their attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, which have thus far killed innocent merchant mariners from Vietnam and the Philippines, damaged several merchant ships, and sunk the bulk carrier Rubymar.

Intelligence had confirmed two locations near Hudaydah as being involved with the Houthi anti-shipping attacks, with a number of buildings identified as housing drone ground control facilities and providing storage for very long range drones, as well as surface to air weapons used to impede coalition operations to safeguard shipping in the region. Furthermore, a set of Houthi facilities at Ghulayfiqah, further south on the Yemeni coast, had also been identified as being involved in the command and control of their anti-shipping campaign.

Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s therefore conducted strikes on the target buildings at these three locations, using Paveway IV guided bombs. As ever, the utmost care was taken in planning the strikes to minimise any risk to civilians or non-military infrastructure. Conducting the strikes in the hours of darkness should also have mitigated yet further any such risks. As ever with such missions, RAF Voyager tankers provided essential air refuelling support to the Typhoons.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 27 May 2024.

The Type 45 destroyed sailed from Portsmouth today to relieve her sister ship, HMS Diamond.

Royal Navy warship HMS Duncan has deployed from Portsmouth today to the Red Sea.

The Type 45 destroyer will relieve its sister ship HMS Diamond, which has been protecting shipping lanes in the Red Sea from Houthi attacks since before Christmas.

HMS Duncan is a like-for-like replacement for Diamond – armed with the same Sea Viper missile system and equipped with the same radar systems, which are able to accurately detect faraway threats.

During her deployment, HMS Diamond has shot down nine drones and one missile, launched by Houthis from the coast of Yemen at cargo ships.

The 200 men and women of HMS Duncan have worked to ensure that their ship is ready to deploy, successfully completing trials and training last week in preparation for the deployment, which will see the ship work to ensure freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for merchant vessels.

HMS Duncan spent five months leading NATO’s premier task group in the Mediterranean Sea last year, until handing over flagship duties to the Italian Navy in December.

The ship is now ready for more operations, with over 60 new members joining the ship’s company.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 21 May 2024.

30 children visited 10 Downing Street and HMS Belfast for the ultimate D-Day history lesson, transported on a Second World War-era red London bus.

Schoolchildren were given the ultimate history lesson for the 80th anniversary of D-Day, with a behind-the-scenes tour of 10 Downing Street and Second World War Royal Navy ship HMS Belfast.

Akshata Murty welcomed 30 schoolchildren to Number 10 as the Ministry of Defence announced a range of initiatives to inspire a new generation with the story and legacy of D-Day.

The children from Hayfield Cross School near Kettering met two D-Day veterans – George Chandler and Bernard Morgan – during the visit to 10 Downing Street, where they received a tour and a lesson on the role of Prime Minister Winston Churchill in planning the Normandy Landings.

Following the visit, Akshata Murty said:

It was a privilege to welcome George and Bernard to Downing Street today. They along with all our brave veterans are truly inspirational. It was wonderful that the pupils from Hayfield Cross Primary School were given the unique opportunity to hear their incredible stories first-hand.

The team from the Imperial War Museum also provided the kids with a powerful lesson in the Cabinet Room that helped to highlight the unparalleled sacrifice that so many made 80 years ago.

They then boarded a Second World War-era red double-decker bus adorned with the D-Day 80 logo and travelled to HMS Belfast – the only British ship remaining from the bombardment fleet of D-Day.

Onboard, they met Defence Secretary Grant Shapps and Education Secretary Gillian Keegan, learned more about HMS Belfast’s role in D-Day, participated in a hands-on Morse code lesson and had the special privilege of asking the two D-Day veterans questions about their experiences 80 years ago.

As part of a range of new education initiatives, the Ministry of Defence and its partners are working to ensure the inspiring message of D-Day is passed down to a new generation.

On 3 June, D-Day veterans will gather in Portsmouth to meet local schoolchildren and modern-day Royal Marines personnel to pass on their wisdom to a new generation.

At the national commemorative event in Portsmouth on 5 June, a total of 900 schoolchildren and cadets will hear directly from the veterans of D-Day. They will hear powerful testimonies from D-Day veterans and military personnel, as well as musical performances by a military orchestra.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps highlighted the importance of the commemorations:

Remembering D-Day is a crucial step to ensuring we appreciate the hard-earned peace and freedom we enjoy today.

It was an honour to speak with George and Bernard, and to meet the inquisitive class from Hayfield Cross School.

I hope the ultimate history lesson has worked to highlight the significance of D-Day and to help keep the memory of those that fought alive.

The Normandy Memorial Trust has published a D-Day 80 Teacher Resource Pack which was compiled in collaboration with the British Council and GCHQ.

The printed pack will be handed to schoolchildren taking part in D-Day 80 activities in Portsmouth on 3 June, ahead of the veterans’ departure to Normandy. Packs will also be available at The D-Day Story Museum in Portsmouth, thanks to generous funding from The Spirit of Normandy Trust.

The Normandy Memorial Trust’s ambition to share the lessons of the past with generations of the future will be fulfilled by The Winston Churchill Centre for Education and Learning, thanks to funding from principal sponsor BAE Systems, the Ministry of Defence and others.

The new facility, at the British Normandy Memorial in Ver-sur-Mer, France, will officially open on the 80th anniversary of D-Day.

As part of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission ‘Lighting Their Legacy’ programme of events, a torch of commemoration is being passed from veterans to young people to represent the passing on of the legacy of D-Day to a new generation.

Three Canadian mechanical engineering students at McMaster University in Ontario designed the torches as part of a degree project allowing them to reflect on why the commemoration is important, and why the Second World War continues to be relevant for future generations.

The torch will now travel to the capital cities of the Home Nations and cities up and down the country including Manchester and Plymouth, before joining veterans on a ferry to Normandy for the 80th anniversary.