Tag: Ministry of Defence

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 5 December 2023.

A new landmark radar initiative will increase UK security by being able to better detect, track and identify objects in deep space.

• New space capability programme to improve global security.
• Cawdor Barracks in Wales identified as preferred UK site, conditional on Environmental Impact Assessment and Town planning approval.
• All three global radar sites to be operational by the end of the decade.

A new landmark radar initiative with the UK’s closest partners will increase UK security by being able to better detect, track and identify objects in deep space.

The Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability (DARC) programme – unveiled by the respective Defence Secretaries of Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States – will provide 24/7, all-weather capabilities that will increase AUKUS nations’ ability to characterise objects deep in space up to 22,000 miles (36,000 kilometres) away from earth.

DARC will see a global network of three ground-based radars to be jointly operated that will assist in critical space-traffic management and contribute to the global surveillance of satellites in deep space. The unique geographic positioning of the three nations means that DARC can provide global coverage, including detecting potential threats to defence or civilian space systems.

As the danger of space warfare increases, this landmark capability will benefit all three nations’ land, air, and maritime forces, as well as protecting critical infrastructure and benefitting our domestic construction and space industries.

UK Defence Secretary, Grant Shapps said:

As the world becomes more contested and the danger of space warfare increases, the UK and our allies must ensure we have the advanced capabilities we need to keep our nations’ safe.

Today’s announcement of a global radar network (DARC), based across the UK, US and Australia will do just that. Empowering the UK to detect, track and identify objects in deep space.

Cawdor Barracks in Pembrokeshire Wales has been identified as the UK’s preferred site for DARC. The final siting decision is conditional on the results of the ongoing comprehensive MOD-funded Environmental Impact Assessment and subsequent Town Planning application.

Cawdor Barracks is currently the home to a British Army Signals Regiment which is due to relocate from 2028. Retention of the Base by the MOD for DARC is likely to boost the local Pembrokeshire economy, creating employment during the construction phase and providing up to 100 longer-term jobs.

Alongside DARC’s defence benefits, it also has the capability to monitor and protect the essential services that rely on satellites in space, including everyday aspects of life such as communications and navigation.

This will play a crucial role in AUKUS’ ability to preserve peace and deter conflict in the Indo-Pacific and the rest of the world.

These new radar systems have higher sensitivity, better accuracy, increased capacity, and more agile tracking than current radars and optical systems tracking objects in deep space orbit. This will see greater global monitoring provided to inform UK defence operations, bypassing the current inclement weather and daylight limitations of some current capabilities.

The first DARC radar site, which is being constructed in Australia, is expected to be operational in 2026, with all three sites operational by the end of the decade.

The DARC programme follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in September 2023. DARC will enhance our collective space domain awareness, which is a key objective of the UK’s Defence Space Strategy, published last year.

AUKUS is a landmark security and defence partnership between Australia, the UK, and the US to support a free and open Indo-Pacific by strengthening regional global security. The development of DARC is a significant step forward for delivery of enhanced security capabilities between the partner nations.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 2 December 2023.

Statement on UK military activity in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Since the terrorist attacks against Israel of 7 October 2023, the UK government has been working with partners across the region to secure the release of hostages, including British nationals, who have been kidnapped. The safety of British nationals is our utmost priority. In support of the ongoing hostage rescue activity, the UK Ministry of Defence will conduct surveillance flights over the Eastern Mediterranean, including operating in air space over Israel and Gaza.

Surveillance aircraft will be unarmed, do not have a combat role, and will be tasked solely to locate hostages. Only information relating to hostage rescue will be passed to the relevant authorities responsible for hostage rescue.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 2 December 2023.

It is with great sadness that the Ministry of Defence must confirm the death of Major Kevin McCool who has tragically died while off-duty in Kenya on 29 November 2023.

Major Kevin McCool was born on the 16th of November 1991. He commissioned from Sandhurst on the 9th of August 2014.

Kevin thrived in the military environment. He was at his best when deployed, and at his very best when the conditions were at their very worst. He saw service in Europe, the Middle East, the Falklands and Africa. Wherever he went he left his mark.

As well as a glittering operational record, he also aced many of the military’s hardest courses. His fitness was legendary, once beating the whole Battalion on a two miler, as was his endurance.

His enthusiasm was infectious. He had a mischievous twinkle in his eye, that made him tremendous fun to be with. Yet his professionalism and sense of purpose was paramount, and clear to all those lucky enough to serve with him. Whether it was his recruits in his Catterick Platoon or those in his Rifle Company, he had their unwavering loyalty.

Kevin was a big family man, from a big, loving family. He is survived by his mother and father, Joseph and Joan, his brothers, Fergal and Brendan, his sisters, May, Alice and Margaret.

Maj McCool’s Commanding Officer said:

Kevin McCool was living his best life, doing a job he loved, with people he loved. A man of the utmost integrity, he was fearless and oozed moral courage. I will never forget my final memory of him, which was on operations; he had just come off the ground having slept a handful of hours in as many days. We discussed the possibility of having to deploy another team into the operational furnace from which he had just come. He stopped me mid-sentence, fixed me with his piercing blue eyes, and simply said, “send me”.

A bright light has gone out amongst our ranks. He will be missed, but never forgotten.

Major McCool’s Officer Commanding said:

Kevin McCool’s eyes shone with his spirit of adventure and with his focussed, determined nature. He was a pilgrim soul in the truest sense. Intelligent, pro-active and selfless, he was at his best and at his happiest whilst serving others and whilst facing challenges “in the arena”.

As a soldier, his courage and talent were proven on operations. As a leader, he had a compelling character and easy charm that all who met him warmed to. And as a man, he had a deep humility which displayed a wisdom beyond his years. Spotting opportunities, restless to serve and to seek out challenges, pushing himself to the frontiers, helping others; that is how we will remember him. He was the best of us.

The Secretary of State for Defence, Grant Shapps, said:

It’s clear from the tributes of those who knew him that Major McCool was an exceptional person and an exceptional soldier, loved and respected in equal measure, who served his country with distinction.

My thoughts and sympathies are with his family, friends, and colleagues currently coming to terms with this most tragic loss.

 

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 2 December 2023.

A landmark security partnership entered a new phase today as the Defence Ministers of the UK, Australia and United States met in California.

• Ground-breaking defence partnership of Australia, UK and USA (AUKUS) accelerates and strengthens.
• Key next stages for military maritime programmes outlined at key Ministerial meeting at the Defense Innovation Unit Headquarters, California
• Increased training for sailors on nuclear-powered submarines.

A landmark security partnership entered a new phase today as the Defence Ministers of the UK, Australia and United States met to advance new programmes on threat detection, quantum technology and autonomous systems.

Strengthening security in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond, the Ministers revealed new combined future exercises will improve each nations’ ability to work together, enhance capability development, and test the joint operation of uncrewed platforms, radically improving a shared ability to tackle emerging threats.

Speaking at the Defense Innovation Unit Headquarters in California, UK Defence Secretary Grant Shapps, Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles and US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin emphasised the opportunity to meet global security challenges through closer relationships between our Armed Forces.

The Ministers highlighted that all three nations are progressing towards more seamless defence and industrial collaboration, better information and technology sharing, and greater resilience, helping develop joint capabilities to meet threats and deter aggression.

UK Defence Secretary, Grant Shapps said:

Today AUKUS enters a new phase. Together with our partners in the US and Australia we have strengthened our alliance to bring our Armed forces closer than ever and ensure our nations are protected from new and advanced threats.

As the world becomes more dangerous, AUKUS only becomes more important in ensuring the UK and our allies maintain a strategic advantage. That’s why we’ve today driven forward joint programmes on threat detection, quantum technology and autonomous systems.

This progress will radically improve our shared ability to tackle emerging threats and demonstrates our commitment to making our militaries more lethal, more connected and more prepared.

Beyond our collaboration on the future Class of conventionally-armed nuclear powered submarines, the second pillar of AUKUS will see unprecedented collaboration in advanced capabilities and technologies, with many key progress updates shared publicly today, including:

• Strengthening cyber capabilities across the three AUKUS partners, including protecting critical communications and operations systems.
• Improving anti-submarine warfare capabilities by being able to jointly process data from each nations’ sonobuoys – used to detect and identify objects in the water – and sharing it with multiple undersea systems and P-8A Maritime Patrol Aircraft.
• Integrating the ability to launch and recover undersea vehicles from torpedo tubes on current submarines to deliver strike, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems.
• Developing quantum technologies to support global positioning and enhance stealth in undersea capabilities, including future SSN-AUKUS submarines.

During the meeting, Ministers also highlighted the exceptional progress made on Pillar 1 of AUKUS which will result in Australia acquiring a conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarine capability, SSN-AUKUS, which will also be used by the UK. This includes increased training opportunities for Australian sailors in the UK and US, and more planned visits of US and UK nuclear-powered submarines to Australia. AUKUS partners reaffirmed their shared commitment to upholding the highest standard for nuclear non-proliferation.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 30 November 2023.

Minister for Armed Forces attends OSCE Ministerial Council in North Macedonia to call out Russian aggression across Europe.

• Minister for Armed Forces attends OSCE Ministerial Council in North Macedonia to call out Russian aggression across Europe.
• During the meeting, James Heappey addressed the Council to highlight the UK’s resolute support for Ukraine – urging a united approach.
• He reaffirmed the UK’s strong support for the OSCE and its leadership – highlighting Russia’s responsibility for undermining the institution.
• In a meeting with the Minister of Defence of North Macedonia, he reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to our bilateral defence relationship.

Minister for Armed Forces James Heappey travelled to Skopje, North Macedonia this week for the opening of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Ministerial Council.

Addressing OSCE participating states, the Minister underlined the value of the OSCE as a key pillar of Euro-Atlantic security, covering all aspects of security – from border security to election observation and minority rights.

Minister for the Armed Forces James Heappey said:

The OSCE holds a vital role as a mechanism through which participant nations can hold Russia to account.

During the meeting of the Ministerial Council, I made clear the UK’s support for Ukraine is resolute, and we continue to encourage our partners and allies to continue their support for Ukraine and condemnation of Putin’s barbaric actions.

During his visit to Skopje, the Minister also met with the Minister of Defence of North Macedonia, Slavjanka Petrovska. They discussed the UK’s long-standing support for the Armed Forces of North Macedonia, the security situation in the Western Balkans and the ongoing war in Ukraine.

The Minister stressed that the UK remains committed to supporting North Macedonia with its NATO integration and thanked North Macedonia for its strong support for Ukraine, both in equipment and training of Ukrainian recruits.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 30 November 2023.

HMS Diamond has set sail to bolster UK naval forces across the Middle East.

HMS Diamond is en route to join Operation Kipion, the UK’s maritime presence in the Gulf and the Indian Ocean, the Defence Secretary has announced.

As a powerful demonstration of the UK’s commitment to regional security, the Type 45 Destroyer will bolster the UK’s naval presence in the Gulf and work to deter escalations from malign and hostile actors who seek to disrupt maritime security.

The Type 45 destroyer will conduct operations to ensure freedom of navigation in the region, reassure merchant vessels and ensure the safe flow of trade. She will join HMS Lancaster, which deployed to the region last year, as well as three mine hunters and a Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) support ship.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said:

Recent events have proven how critical the Middle East remains to global security and stability.

From joint efforts to deter escalation, following the onset of the renewed conflict in Israel and Gaza, to now the unlawful and brazen seizure of MV Galaxy Leader by the Houthis in the Red Sea – it is critical that the UK bolsters our presence in the region, to keep Britain and our interests safe from a more volatile and contested world.

Today’s deployment will strengthen the Royal Navy’s patrols, help to keep critical trade routes open and prove that our commitment to regional security not only endures but enhances.

Her deployment follows increasing concerns over maritime security at narrow sea trade routes worldwide, known as chokepoints. The ship is part of the UK’s commitment to supporting security in the region and the global maritime commons.

Operation Kipion is the UK’s long-standing maritime presence in the Gulf and the Indian Ocean. In addition to HMS Lancaster, a squadron of three mine hunting vessels (HMS Bangor, HMS Chiddingfold, and HMS Middleton) and a Royal Fleet Auxiliary support ship (RFA Cardigan Bay) are also deployed as part of the operation, helping to keep the vital trade routes of the Middle East open for business.

Royal Navy vessels have been permanently deployed to the region since 1980 and have fallen under Operation Kipion since 2011. Under the command of the UK Maritime Component Command (UKMCC) in Bahrain, they work with allies and partners across the region, including under the Combined Maritime Forces partnership.

HMS Diamond is deploying with a Wildcat helicopter onboard, a highly capable aircraft which has been central to HMS Lancaster’s activities since its deployment in 2022, including when it seized substantial quantities of illegal drugs and intercepted weapons being smuggled in international waters.

The additional deployment of HMS Diamond, one of the Royal Navy’s most advanced vessels, will significantly bolster international efforts to protect maritime security in the region.

The waters of the Gulf are vital routes for merchant shipping, including for tankers carrying much of the UK’s supply of liquefied natural gas. Around 50 large merchant ships each day pass through the Bab-el-Mandeb, connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, while around 115 major merchant ships pass through the Strait of Hormuz.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 30 November 2023.

Six Royal Navy warships, a Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship, and a Royal Air Force maritime patrol aircraft will form the UK’s contribution to the JEF deployment.

A Royal Navy task force of seven ships will deploy with allies early next month to jointly patrol areas with vulnerable undersea critical infrastructure, following an unprecedented agreement by ministers of the ten JEF nations.

The UK contribution to the deployment will include two Royal Navy frigates, two offshore patrol vessels and mine countermeasures vessels, as well as a Royal Fleet Auxiliary landing ship – supported by a Royal Air Force P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft.

The contingent will depart in early December to join other ships and aircraft from JEF participant nations to launch joint patrols, with vessels spaced to cover a wide area from the English Channel to the Baltic Sea – demonstrating the interoperability between JEF nations in the maritime and air domains.

It comes after defence ministers from all ten JEF nations met on Tuesday and unanimously agreed to activate a protocol mobilising military assets from across participant nations – known as a JEF Response Option (JRO) – for the first time in JEF’s history.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said:

This historic and unprecedented agreement will see a Royal Navy task force of seven ships, supported by the RAF, join allies from across northern Europe as part of a joint operation to defend our shared critical infrastructure against potential threats.

The UK and our JEF partners will do whatever it takes to defend our mutual areas of interest, and today’s display of unshakeable unity sends a powerful message of deterrence that we stand ready to meet any potential threat with force.

Together, we stand firmly in support of peace, security, and a steadfast resolve to uphold the rules-based international order.

During the deployment, ships and aircraft from JEF nations will work together to carry out deterrent patrol in areas of key interest, as well as to deepen surveillance around offshore assets and share intelligence.

The patrols will ensure an extended security presence, picking up from NATO’s enhanced Vigilance Activity which took place in the Baltic Sea region throughout November.

The agreement comes following an extraordinary meeting of JEF defence ministers to discuss options for joint activity to defend offshore critical infrastructure, after an increase in attacks and threats.

Ministers from the ten JEF nations issued a joint statement following Tuesday’s virtual meeting, highlighting the significance of the first activation of a bespoke JRO – providing a tangible demonstration of the JEF as a credible contributor to Northern European security.

The JEF is a group of like-minded nations – Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. The nations share the same purpose, values and a common focus on security and stability in the JEF core regions of the High North, North Atlantic and Baltic Sea region.

At a meeting of leaders from the JEF nations last month, the Prime Minister vowed to step up the UK’s military presence in northern Europe – deploying more than 20,000 troops to the region next year, with the intent to combat emerging hybrid threats and to defend critical national infrastructure.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 30 November 2023.

Seven UK companies have been selected to take part in NATO’s pilot challenges providing the opportunity to refine their products and keep NATO populations safe.

The Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) works with leading researchers and entrepreneurs across the Alliance, helping them develop technologies to keep NATO populations safe and secure.

DIANA is celebrating a key milestone by selecting 44 of the most promising applicants from across the Alliance to join its pilot challenge cohorts. The cohorts will embark upon a six-month intensive programme to develop their business into promising ventures. DIANA brings together universities, industry and governments to work with start-ups and other innovators to solve strategic dual-use security and defence challenges, growing a new generation of NATO innovators.

The 44 successful companies from across the Alliance have been assigned to one of the five accelerator sites chosen for the pilot programme: Tallinn, Estonia; Turin, Italy; Copenhagen, Denmark; and Boston and Seattle in the United States. Starting in January 2024, the companies will embark upon the programme which has been custom-designed for early-stage dual-use start-ups.

For the 2023 pilot challenge call, DIANA focused on three areas:

• Energy resilience – providing resilient power in disaster or conflict
• Sensing and surveillance – gathering information from underwater
• Secure information sharing – providing trusted data anywhere

Through a combination of seminars, workshops, and mentorship, the companies will gain a comprehensive understanding of the dual-use landscape and learn how to successfully navigate both commercial and defence markets. Simultaneously, they will have the opportunity to refine their technologies and products through access to DIANA’s network of Test Centres, comprising over 200 world-leading technical testing facilities.

The most promising companies will then graduate to an additional six-month scaling programme of tailored support and additional grant funding. All of the innovators selected for the DIANA programme will help to maintain NATO’s technological edge by enhancing the Allied innovation ecosystem.

Minister for Defence Procurement, James Cartlidge, said:

The DIANA programme encapsulates the collaborative spirit of the NATO alliance, with creative minds joining forces to develop cutting edge technologies to bolster our defence and security capabilities.

Through supporting these pioneering ideas, we strengthen our alliance, ensuring that we remain at the forefront of innovation in safeguarding the collective peace and security of our member nations.

The seven British companies chosen for the DIANA programme are:

Anzen Technology Systems

Based in London, Anzen Technology Systems is an SME that develops privacy technology that anonymizes information and splits it into discrete datasets (data shards), which then are distributed and stored in different locations.

Aquark Technologies

Aquark Technologies, located in Hampshire, is a spin-out of the University of Southampton that provides portability and miniaturisation solutions for quantum technology applications.

AVoptics

AVoptics is an SME based in Yeovil, which specialises in providing engineered photonic solutions for use in harsh environments.

Goldilock Secure

Located in Wolverhampton, Goldilock Secure is developing solutions that allow for the physical segmentation of digital assets and networks remotely, without internet dependence.

Grayscale AI

An SME based in London, Grayscale AI produces optimisation-driven AI, meant to mimic a human’s neural network.

IONATE

Based in London, IONATE is a technology company developing next generation hybrid intelligent transformers that target flexibility and resilience at strategic points of the electricity system.

SECQAI

SECQAI is an SME based in London, which focuses on next generation cryptography through quantum random number generation.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 29 November 2023.

Nuclear test veterans who made a unique contribution to the UK’s security and have received medals for their service have been praised at a dedicated reception.

• Veterans thanked for unique contribution at dedicated event hosted by the Ministry of Defence and Office of Veterans’ Affairs.
• Reception follows Prime Minister recognising service of last year as he announced the award of a special new medal.

Nuclear test veterans who made a unique contribution to the UK’s security and have received medals for their service have been praised at a dedicated reception.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps MP, and Veterans’ Minister Johnny Mercer MP, met around fifty veterans at Admiralty House in London. Amongst attendees were veterans who marched past the Cenotaph with their Nuclear Test Medal for the first time this year.

The medal was announced by the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in November 2022, 70 years after the first British test of a nuclear weapon. It recognises military, civilian and overseas staff and personnel who participated in Britain’s nuclear testing programme during the 1950s and 1960s.

Many veterans of Britain’s nuclear tests will receive the new medal which will also recognise the contribution made by veterans and civilian staff from other nations and across the Commonwealth including Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Kiribati.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said:

I am incredibly proud to have met veterans and heard their incredible stories, following on from the Government’s fulfilled commitment to award the Nuclear Test Medal. The service and dedication of our nuclear test veterans is vitally important to the continued safety and security of our nation.

It is only right that we recognise and value their service through this medal, an enduring symbol of the Nation’s gratitude.

Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Johnny Mercer said:

Today’s event has been a fantastic opportunity to mark the contributions of the veterans who worked on Britain’s nuclear programme over seventy years ago.

The medal is a fitting tribute to those who worked to preserve our national security, and I am pleased that so many of our veterans now have their medal.

This government is committed to commemorating the contribution of nuclear test veterans and has committed funding to ensure their stories are passed on for generations to come.

As part of the government’s efforts to champion nuclear test veterans’ contributions, the Office for Veterans’ Affairs is also funding a £250,000 oral history project. Work by the University of South Wales and University of Liverpool is currently underway to identify and record the life stories of 40 nuclear veterans.

Education organisation Big Ideas, also a recipient of the OVA’s £200,000 Nuclear Test Community Fund, worked with four secondary schools in the Autumn term across the four nations. The students met with veterans from across the UK and Fiji to hear their stories and experiences.

Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Johnny Mercer, recently met with nuclear test veterans in Fiji and joined Fijian nationals in celebrating their national day.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 28 November 2023.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps met virtually with ministers from Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) and agreed to activate a JEF Response option..

Today, the Defence Ministers of the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) agreed to activate a JEF Response Option. This includes Maritime and Air capabilities which will deploy across the JEF’s core region as a military contribution to the protection of critical undersea infrastructure.  The activity will take place in early December and will ensure a security presence, strengthening our common efforts with NATO in the Baltic Sea region. The JEF is determined to enhance its preparedness in supporting the JEF Nations to protect their Critical National Infrastructure.

Throughout 2023, the JEF has developed a series of JEF Response Options, designed to deter, and defend our region from threats and establish how we can quickly respond to crises. This marks the first time a JEF Response Option has been activated. It provides a tangible demonstration of the JEF as a credible contributor to security in Northern Europe and a powerful message of our ability and commitment to bolstering the security of our critical undersea infrastructure and deterrence of hybrid threats. By co-operating through the JEF we are able to find collaborative solutions to common regional security challenges, in line with the JEF Vision published at the JEF Leaders’ Summit in Sweden on 13 October.