Tag: Ministry of Defence

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 19 December 2023.

Royal Navy Destroyer HMS Diamond joins Operation Prosperity Guardian, a new international task force to protect merchant shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

As Houthi attacks against commercial vessels continue, Royal Navy Destroyer HMS Diamond has joined Operation Prosperity Guardian, a new international task force to ensure freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

Alongside HMS Diamond, the task force currently includes three US destroyers, and a French warship is also in the region. All are currently operating in the Southern Red Sea with the multinational partnership focusing on protecting freedom of navigation, international trade and human life by countering illicit non-state actors in international waters. Countries including Bahrain, Norway and the Seychelles are also supporting the Operation.

The security situation in the Red Sea is deteriorating, with the Houthi attacks – including use of ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial systems against global shipping – representing an increased threat. Over the last few days, the impact on global trade has become more acute, with major operators including Maersk and BP pausing sailing through the region due to the security risk, increasing costs and adding time to journeys.

The Defence Secretary joined a virtual call this morning with his US counterpart and around 20 other Defence Ministers from across the globe to discuss the launch of Operation Prosperity Guardian. During the meeting, Ministers agreed that this was an international problem that affects all of global trade and risked severe economic consequences, and agreed to work together on an international solution.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said:

These illegal attacks are an unacceptable threat to the global economy, undermining regional security and are threatening to drive up fuel prices.

This is an international problem that requires an international solution. That is why HMS Diamond has joined Operation Prosperity Guardian. This new task force will protect shipping and vital trade routes in the Red Sea, where large amounts of goods and oil transit through to Europe and on to the UK.

Our Royal Navy personnel are protecting British interests in an increasingly contested part of the world. Their valuable contribution to upholding peace and security should not be underestimated and we thank them for their service, especially during this festive period.

HMS Diamond arrived in the Red Sea at the weekend after the Defence Secretary authorised her deployment on 30th November to protect and support key shipping lanes in the Red Sea and Gulf. The warship, one of the Royal Navy’s most advanced, shot down a suspected attack drone on Saturday morning which was targeting merchant shipping in the Red Sea.

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.

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.

This international coalition will operate as part of the existing construct in the Gulf: the Coalition Maritime Force (CMF). The UK contribution to that is known as Operation Kipion, which is the UK’s long-standing maritime presence in the Gulf and the Indian Ocean. In addition to HMS Diamond, 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.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 14 December 2023.

Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin gave his annual RUSI Lecture on 13 December 2023.

Last year I spoke of an extraordinarily dangerous moment, with the return of war in Europe alongside unfolding great power competition in the Indo-Pacific.

And here we are again: at the end of another year and another set of equally profound developments.  Some are startling and horrific, like the barbaric attacks in Israel; others so frustratingly familiar that the world barely stops to notice.  This summer’s coup in Niger – the ninth in Africa since the turn of the decade – is an obvious case in point.

As the year draws to a close, the security outlook feels even more dangerous than was the case 12 months ago. And that’s coming from me – someone known for their optimism…

People often ask me what keeps me awake at night.  The honest answer is that I sleep well.  Mostly because I am tired.  And because I’m blessed with a supportive family.  And I also sleep well because of the Armed Forces, the Civil Service and our Intelligence Agencies who always seem to pull out the stops when required.  Our evacuation from Sudan in the spring – the largest of any Western nation – reminds us of what we can achieve at scale, at reach, and at speed.

But how well I sleep might not be an accurate barometer to assess the defence and security of the nation…

I think most people now recognise that we’ve entered an era of renewed great power and state on state competition, and that was the theme of my first lecture to RUSI two years ago.

But I’m less sure we’ve really assimilated the scale or the volatility or the pace of the security challenges we’ve seen over the past couple of years and what this means for the future.

So tonight, I’d like to set the scene by offering three perspectives.

First, continued recognition of this turning point in global security, in which the war in Ukraine and the conflict in Gaza both have the potential to further destabilise an already febrile and agitated world, but are part of a broader backdrop.

Second is to say that we are responding.  We are witnessing the return of statecraft and the staples of alliances, technology and investment to manage these dangers.  The increasing trajectory of defence spending in this country, the collective strength of NATO, our network of international partners, and the technological transformation of the Armed Forces, all offer much to reassure.

But is it enough?  For the final part of my speech, I want to consider how we calibrate ourselves to meet the demands of an openly contested and volatile world; not just for the next 5 years but over the next one or two decades.

Let me start with a few words about October’s cruel attacks by Hamas and after visiting Israel last week with the Defence Secretary.

Those of us watching on in horror cannot underestimate the sense within Israel that this is an existential threat.  Or the vulnerability felt by Jewish people worldwide, including here in the United Kingdom.

The Government has been clear in its view that Israel is entitled to bring the perpetrators of such hideous acts to justice, and to defeat the threat posed by Hamas.

Inevitably fighting in such densely packed urban areas risks causing immense harm to civilians, which is why we have urged restraint and we continue to work with our partners in the region to identify options to deliver aid.

The attacks of October 7 have served to heighten the simmering tensions and dire conditions in Gaza. Tensions which resonate so strongly on the Arab street and risk inflaming an arc of instability stretching from the Eastern Mediterranean to the Gulf of Oman.

That is why the UK deployed air and naval assets to the region: to be ready for contingencies, contribute to relief operations, and to safeguard wider regional stability.

The level of uncertainty and degree of potential volatility for the whole of the Middle East is worrying.  We assess Iran doesn’t want a direct war.  And the presence of two US carrier strike groups sent an unmistakable message to Tehran.  But Iran is comfortable with the way events have unfolded.  The dilemmas for Israel.  The threat posed by Lebanon’s Hezbollah and Yemen’s Houthis.  Militia groups exploiting this crisis to challenge America’s role in the region. Hence the multiple attacks on international shipping in the southern Red Sea, and over 80 attacks on US and coalition forces in Iraq and Syria.

America has shown commendable restraint.  But there are multiple scenarios in which this crisis could escalate.  Our Gulf partners are nervous.  They point to a perceived lack of engagement more generally by the West and more specifically in the two-state solution over many years.

All of this is sufficiently serious to warrant the attention of responsible nations everywhere.  But the instability that flowed from October 7 does not occur in isolation.  The backdrop includes a broader challenge to the world order.

It occurs alongside rising tension in the Western Balkans.  Increased confrontation in the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea.  Ever more bellicose rhetoric from Pyongyang.  Continued instability in Africa.  The re-emergence of long running territorial disputes, most recently between Venezuela and Guyana.

And then there is Russia’s continuing war in Ukraine.  After two years of bitter sacrifice, it should be clear to Putin that the Ukrainian people will never permit their country to return to Moscow’s orbit.

And yet President Putin pushes on regardless of the continuing cost: to international stability, to Ukraine and to his own people.

Yes, Ukraine’s counter-offensive gained less ground than was hoped.  Russian defences proved stronger than expected.  And Ukraine is fighting with a citizen Army.  Men in their 30s and 40s with families back home.  Ukraine is cautious with their lives.  We would be too.  And it speaks volumes about the contrasting approaches of Russian and Ukrainian leaders.

But territory is not the only measure of how this war progresses.  And talk of ‘stalemate’ or the advantages to Russia of settling for a long war are far too superficial.  Not enough is made of Russia’s predicament.  Not enough is made of Ukraine’s success.  And Putin is no grand master of strategy.

He sought to weaponize Russia’s energy exports.  But European countries responded by reducing their dependence.

He sought to withhold global food supplies.  But the world responded with the Black Sea Grain Initiative.

He sought to coerce the West with reckless nuclear threats.  But that elicited global condemnation, including from  China, India and Saudi Arabia.

And now he’s wanted by the International Criminal Court.  He’s suffered the shock and humiliation of an attempted coup.  Crimea is no longer safe.  The Black Sea Fleet has scattered. He has to keep 400 thousand troops in Ukraine to hold on to what he has taken.  And he cannot order a general mobilisation – at least not ahead of next year’s election – for fear of how his own people will respond.  Abroad he is a Potemkin-like figure, unable to rely on international support because Russia has few real friends in the world.

Increasingly he resembles a prisoner of his own making.  But, if his first catastrophic mistake was invading Ukraine, he is now making his second calamitous blunder – the Russian economy is being twisted even more out of shape.  Nearly 40% of all Russian public expenditure is being spent on defence.  That is more than the aggregate of health and education.  And the last time we saw these levels was at the end of the Cold War and the collapse of the Soviet Union.

This is disastrous for Russia and its people.  And it is in contrast to President Zelensky who speaks of a ‘new’ Ukraine: a country fit for its heroes.  A country on the path to NATO and EU membership.  A country that represents everything that Russia is not: confident, dynamic, democratic, innovative, and open to the world.  A country that is respected and embraced by the community of nations.  A country with a future.

This leads me to my second point: the return of statecraft, as countries shift and align in support of common interests across the world and seek to use all the instruments of power.

Witness how the United States, and others, are seeking to engage India to counterbalance China; or how President Biden hosted the leaders of Japan and South Korea at Camp David.

Or consider how European nations were willing to commit some 500 billion euros to subsidise their citizens through last winter’s energy crisis, weening themselves from Russian gas and thus denying Putin the leverage he sought.

The UK is also re-learning the art of statecraft. This includes: the Hiroshima Accord with Japan, the Downing Street Accord with South Korea, the Atlantic Declaration with the US, the extension of security guarantees to Sweden and Finland on their journey to NATO; our leadership of the Joint Expeditionary Force; and the hosting of the AI Summit at Bletchley Park.

Russia’s aggression continues to provoke an extraordinary response.

Across Europe defence spending is up.  In 2022 the figure reached nearly £280 billion, 30% higher than it was a decade ago.  Finland is up 36%, Sweden 12%, Poland 11%.

And NATO is stronger.  This year’s summit in Vilnius saw the biggest transformation of NATO’s readiness since the Cold War.  And the UK is right at the heart of this: offering 25% of NATO’s maritime forces and more than 10% of land and air.

When we stand with NATO we draw on the economic, diplomatic, demographic, as well as industrial and technological heft of 31 nations, soon to become 32.  Our combined GDP becomes 20 times greater than Russia’s.  Our regular armed forces of 140,000 becomes part of a force of 3 million men and women, and with even greater numbers in reserve. It is absurd to entertain the notion that Russia is in anyway a match for NATO. If we stick together, and stick with it, Russia will lose and Ukraine will prevail.

And if we step back, what we see in each of these examples is a community of nations that is confident using its collective strengths to buttress global security.  This is how we should respond to a more contested world.

And if we zoom in on the military instrument, we see a British Armed Forces becoming even more lethal and effective, relative to both Russia and to the wider threats we face.

A £40 billion land investment programme means we can reorientate the Army to the challenges of state-on-state competition.  With 80% of the deployable force now aligned to NATO, 16,000 troops deploying to Europe next year. Ajax and Boxer are entering service. 1300 armoured vehicles are on contract. Upgrades to Apache are underway.  The contract for the Archer medium range artillery system was signed and sealed within two months.  We have plans for substantial investment in Long Range Precision Fires, Ground Based Air Defence and Electronic Warfare.

The Royal Air Force is transforming from a fourth-generation to a fifth-generation air force; and is reaching and leading us all into space. With the arrival of A400M, it now has greater lift capacity than at any time since the Second World War; and the combination of P8 Poseidon, E7 Wedgetail and Protector offers a 30% increase in ISTAR airframes.

The Royal Navy is a carrier Navy once again, with both HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales at sea this autumn.  The Royal Marines are coming back to their Commando roots, globally deployed and ready to respond.  There are 22 ships and submarines on order or under construction; the past year saw our new Seabed Warfare Vessel enter service, alongside the first support ship for uncrewed mine hunting systems.  With more to follow.

And binding this together is Strategic Command: the custodian of the Crown Jewels of Defence: intelligence, cyber, special forces and our network of overseas experts and bases; generating the concepts and doctrines that underpin how we think and fight; and overseeing the biggest transformation of all. Moving from standalone operations to enduring campaigns.  From three domains to five.  And from forces that are merely joint to forces that are integrated.

We’re also bringing in better support for our people.  Wrap Around Childcare.  Extending Forces Help to Buy.  A better than expected pay settlement for the Armed Forces.  Zero tolerance for unacceptable behaviours.

In all these areas – people, operations, equipment – we have achieved much over the past year, and through the Defence Command Paper Refresh we have a plan to do even more over the coming years.

But this brings me to my third and final theme – is it all enough?

These are extraordinarily dangerous times. We are responding by playing our part to uphold and strengthen the global system, and by the commitment and professionalism of our people.

But it is not just the hideous violence or the competition over territory that should worry us.

It is also the backdrop of ideological struggles and creaking pains of tense democracies which are putting the international system under intense strain.

And what is particularly concerning is the slow dismantling of the security architecture that has been with us since the fall of the Berlin Wall.  It is a backdrop that my generation may have taken for granted.  But it is collapsing.

This year Russia withdrew from or suspended the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, the Conventional Armed Forces in Europe Treaty and the last remaining nuclear arms control treaty between Russia and the United States, known as New START.

And Russia’s aggression towards Ukraine has resulted in expulsion from the Council of Europe; withdrawal from the Barents Sea Council and the suspension of cooperation with the Arctic Council.

And then if we head east, the corresponding frameworks that might govern great power competition in the Indo-Pacific are absent altogether.

When you take the emerging great power competition, and the absent or decaying security architectures and add to that… the pace of technological change… the advent of AI…the impact of climate change…competition for natural resources, migration, health insecurity… as well as deep seated regional inequalities…

…This all represents a profound challenge to global stability, to our physical and economic security, and to our way of life.

It is 77 years since the American diplomat George Kennan wrote his famous Long Telegram from Moscow. He warned of the expansionist threat posed by the Soviet Union and advocated the policy of containment.  But it took years before the institutions and frameworks were in place to make that policy a success.

It feels like we’re in a similar place.  Our diagnosis – like Kennan’s – is the correct one.  The era of state-on-state competition has returned and will remain with us for decades to come.

We’re spending more on Defence.  We’re transforming the Armed Forces.  We’re becoming more integrated.  But is the machinery and thinking deep within the British state truly calibrated to the scale of what is unfolding? In short: Does it all stack up?  The resilience of our nation, and the ability to draw deep on our defence industry or our reserves?  The ability of our extraordinary intelligence agencies to encompass the vast range of new and global threats?

These are big questions.  And to be clear this is not a discussion about the next spending review.

All the Chiefs are conscious that we are the custodians of huge sums of public money.  And in the here-and-now, our task is to offer maximum return on the investment we currently receive; indeed – ministers and politicians rightly demand more from us.

And we should recognise the enormity already of the Government’s defence investment programme and its ambition for the next decade.

A decade which will see us recapitalise the Army. Put right infrastructure that has been neglected and better support our people.

A decade in which we will respond to the lessons from Ukraine and consider whether we need Integrated Air and Missile Defence for the UK.

A decade which will see us develop a 6th generation fighter as part of an alliance which spans Europe and Asia. Developing a new nuclear submarine with Australia and America; and follow on AUKUS projects spanning cyber, artificial intelligence, electronic warfare, quantum technology and hypersonics.

And then there is the biggest undertaking of all – the renewal of our nuclear deterrent, which includes a new warhead and a new generation of ballistic missile submarines.

It represents the next chapter in Britain’s nuclear story – a story that began with Clement Attlee and the transformative post war years; that found expression in the Cold War partnerships of Reagan and Thatcher, and in the concept of peace through strength that was so fundamental to the triumph of democratic freedoms and the fall of communism.

We should be proud to be a responsible nuclear power. And I want to publicly recognise the commitment of those who are ready to spend months at a stretch in a steel tube somewhere in the Atlantic, with no means to communicate with their loved ones back home.

That is a very human example of what it means to provide the Prime Minister and the Nation with the assurance that we have the ability to respond to the most existential of threats.

But binding all of these commitments and programmes together is even more than people or money.

It’s about strategic literacy. It’s about sharper statecraft. It’s about trade and technology. It’s about the strength and resilience of our industrial base and winning the war for talent. It’s about the re-imagining of alliances, the need for new security architectures, and for modern institutions that are configured for the challenges of our time.

Our Integrated Review and Defence Command Paper in 2021 was a first step. This year’s refreshed versions matured our thinking. But these documents are not an end in themselves. We must evolve, adapt and accelerate to match the challenges and opportunities as they emerge.

In sum: A host of long simmering conflicts are coming to the boil. The world is responding.  We are on the right path. But when we think a little further ahead we need to check whether our collective response matches the urgency and gravity of the threats.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 14 December 2023.

UK signs international Treaty with Japan and Italy for a future combat air programme that aims to develop an innovative stealth fighter with supersonic capability and equipped with cutting-edge technology.

• World-leading stealth future fighter aims to improve military capability, prosperity and strategic benefits for all three countries.
• UK-based headquarters will support hundreds of jobs, with initial leadership positions
  for Japan and Italy.
• Project will support future Indo-Pacific stability and wider global security.

The UK has signed an international Treaty with Japan and Italy for a future combat air programme that aims to develop an innovative stealth fighter with supersonic capability and equipped with cutting-edge technology.

The treaty marks a key stage of the landmark Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) and the headquarters of the programme will be based in Britain.

This combat air aircraft, due to take to the skies by 2035, aims to harness next-generation technologies and become one of the world’s most advanced, interoperable, adaptable and connected fighter jets in service globally. The programme is expected to create highly-skilled jobs in the UK and in partner countries over the next decade and beyond.

The supersonic stealth jet will boast a powerful radar that can provide 10,000 times more data than current systems, giving a battle-winning advantage.

Within the UK, the effort is being led by BAE Systems, in close partnership with Rolls-Royce, Leonardo UK and MBDA UK – as well as hundreds of companies in the supply chain from across the country. Together, they are working closely with lead companies from Japan and Italy to progress the design and development of this aircraft.

Defence Secretary, Grant Shapps said:

Our world-leading combat aircraft programme aims to be crucial to global security and we continue to make hugely positive progress toward delivery of the new jets to our respective air forces in 2035.

The UK-based headquarters will also see us make important decisions collaboratively and at pace, working with our close partners Italy and Japan, and our impressive defence industries, to deliver an outstanding aircraft.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps met with his Japanese and Italian counterparts, Minister Minoru Kihara and Minister Guido Crosetto, in Tokyo. The signing of the Treaty comes a year after the formal launch of GCAP and highlights the positive progress in the development of this next-generation fighter jet. The joint development phase of the programme is due to launch in 2025.

The treaty confirmed the UK will host the joint GCAP government headquarters, supporting hundreds of UK jobs and working with Japanese and Italian colleagues. The first CEO will come from Japan. The HQ will be responsible for delivering vital military capability, strengthening each country’s combat air industrial capability, and achieving value for money.

Supporting the Prime Minister’s priority to grow the economy, there are already around 3,000 people in major combat air hubs across the UK, including the south-west and north-west of England and Edinburgh, with almost 600 organisations on contract across the country, including SMEs and academic institutions.

In combat air, the MOD has spent £2 billion in the UK over the last 5 years on technology, creating skills and capabilities – with a further £600 million from industry – to ensure the UK is ready to drive this programme forward.

A crucial programme for the future of stability in the Euro Atlantic, Indo-Pacific and wider global security, GCAP is a strong example of the UK’s global leadership in developing next generation military capability to deter and defeat threats to the UK and our allies.

It is another demonstration of our commitment to Indo-Pacific security, following the deployment of the Royal Navy’s Carrier Strike Group in 2021, with a further deployment coming in 2025, as well as the Navy maintaining a persistent presence in the region through HMS Spey and HMS Tamar.

Separately, a new joint business construct will be headquartered in the UK, with significant global presence. This industry counterpart of the Government organisation will oversee support and timely delivery of the programme, including the 2035 in-service date of the combat aircraft – known as Tempest in the UK. The first leader of the joint business construct will be from Italy.

This collaborative approach is indicative of the ground-breaking international programme.

GCAP will attract investment in research and development into digital design and advanced manufacture processes, providing opportunities for our next generation of highly skilled engineers and technicians.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 12 December 2023.

Support for UN peacekeeping efforts pledged by Minister for the Armed Forces at United Nations Peacekeeping Ministerial in Ghana.

• Support for UN peacekeeping efforts pledged by Minister for the Armed Forces at United Nations Peacekeeping Ministerial in Ghana.
• Also holds bilateral security talks with government of Ghana.
• Signs Defence Cooperation Treaty with Senegal.

The UK will commit to an enhanced training offer for UN peacekeepers, the Minister for the Armed Forces announced last week at the 2023 United Nations Peacekeeping Ministerial in Accra, Ghana.

Minister for the Armed Forces, Rt Hon James Heappey MP, said:

From violent extremism in the Sahel, to political instability in a number of African states, the importance of working with our regional partners and the UN has rarely been clearer.

It’s not enough for us to train peacekeepers and then let them put themselves in harm’s way with no support. Our new Enhanced Training Model will see our personnel accompany the UN’s peacekeepers on their missions, standing shoulder to shoulder with them on the ground as they work tirelessly to prevent conflict.

Representing the UK at the conference, the minister outlined the UK’s new and continuing commitments to UN peacekeeping missions, including:

• A new Enhanced Training Model (ETM) for UN peacekeepers, which will see UK personnel assisting UN peacekeeping troops before and during missions, based on their requirements.
• Building on the £1m of funding announced earlier this year, a continued commitment for the Elsie Initiative Fund for Uniformed Women in Peace Operations, which supports the participation of women in United Nations peace operations.
• Support for the UN’s counter misinformation and disinformation training efforts.
• A commitment to new training initiatives to build the counter-IED capability of others.

During his visit to Ghana, the minister also held a bilateral security dialogue with the Minister for National Security Albert Kan-Dapaah, Minister of Defence Dominic Nitiwul and Minister for Interior Ambrose Dery. They discussed how to deepen our bilateral defence relationship, building on the deployment of HMS Trent to the Gulf of Guinea and work to counter the threat of violent extremist activity emanating from the Sahel.

He also met the Vice President, Mahamudu Bawumi and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Shirley Botchwey.

Visiting Burma Camp, the headquarters of the Ghana Armed Forces, the minister also oversaw the delivery of eight ambulances to Ghana. These ambulances, gifted by the UK, will allow Ghana to improve its medical outreach in the northern border regions.

Earlier in the week, he visited Senegal for bilateral talks with the Minister for Armed Forces Oumar Youm and President Macky Sall, where he signed a new Defence Cooperation Treaty.  The agreement is the first between the UK and Senegal and marks a significant step forward in our defence and security partnership. The UK and Senegal will work together to deepen our relationship, to tackle organised crime and drugs trafficking in the Gulf of Guinea, and to counter regional instability and terrorism in the Sahel.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 12 December 2023.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps confirming the transfer of two Royal Navy minehunter ships to the Ukrainian Navy.

What’s in a name?

It’s a real pleasure to welcome here my colleague Minister Gram to Admiralty House and also our Ukrainian friend Admiral Neizhpapa along with his translator, to one of our nation’s truly historic buildings.

It’s actually 60 years since this building was the official residence of the First Lord of the Admiralty, and it’s a real reminder that in the Royal Navy, names really have power behind them.

Built in the 1700s, in the following century this was the actual location for the body of Admiral Horatio Nelson who himself lay in state here.

And in the 20th century again, right here the First Lord of the Admiralty during two World Wars was one Winston Churchill.

So, when we think about Admiralty House, we don’t just think about another anonymous monolith on Whitehall.

We think of the living embodiment of some three centuries worth of British naval history.

Ukraine: The story of the Cherkassy

The resonance of a name is not confined to the Royal Navy.

If you consider Ukraine, for example, next year marks 10 years since Russia invaded Crimea.

And back then all that remained between the invader and conquest was 60 crew members of a mine warfare vessel.

That lone ship sailing strong against the might of the Russian navy.

It took a remarkable three weeks before the Ukrainian ensign was finally taken down and the proud crew members were removed from that ship.

By then, the name of that little ship, The Cherkasy, had become a legend. And that legend endures to this day.

Ukraine Navy more than just a name

Eight years after the Cherkasy gave the proverbial finger to the Russians the brave forces on Snake Island, threatened once more by the Moskva, memorably told the Russians where to go in unforgettable words that I won’t repeat this morning.

That is really no surprise because it turned out the soldier who uttered those words also happened to come from the Cherkasy region.

And, as Ukraine marked its Armed Forces Day last week, its navy could reflect on defiance of Cherkasy-like proportions.

If you consider, despite having lost about two-thirds of its fleet after Crimea they have managed to strike the Kremlin’s Naval headquarters at Sevastopol.

They smashed Russian naval vessels through pioneering work of sea drones. They’ve wrestled control over the western Black Sea and sinking one of Russia’s biggest names, the Moskva itself.

Helping Ukraine seize the advantage

Ukrainians have proven more than once that their Navy, is more than just a navy in name only.

And we must help them do even more.

Ukraine must triumph on the water as well as the battlefield itself.

And that’s the only way to ensure freedom of navigation in the Black Sea.

The only way to ensure Ukrainian vessels operate free from Russian bullying, to allow the unimpeded transport of their vital grain and steel to the four corners of the world.

Which is why we’re doing three things to restore the great name of the Ukrainian navy.

First, we’re training Ukrainian sailors.

In the remote waters of Scotland, the Navy have been passing on their knowledge and skills.

But it’s not enough to have the sailors. Ukraine must have the ships.
So, second – we’re taking on the leadership mantle of the Maritime Capability Coalition with our Norwegian friends.

My friend Bjorn and I have been working to understand the Ukrainian requirements.

And now before us is a clear roadmaps, or perhaps more appropriately a sea chart.

To make sure we succeed, we want partners and we’ve reached out to those already involved in supporting Ukraine’s Navy to become framework nations for this coalition. We’ll be able to say more about that by this evening.

And third, we’re helping them to rebuild their capability.

Today, I can announce the UK is gifting 23 on and offshore raiding craft and 20 rapidly deployable Viking amphibious vehicles.

I can also announce we’re supporting Ukraine to procure two mine counter vessels from the UK.

In fact, back in the summer, a flag raising ceremony was held to commission the vessels into service.

This is something that was planned before Ukraine was attacked. And the ships formerly known as HMS Grimsby and HMS Shoreham were renamed Chernihiv M310 and Cherkasy M311.

Yes, the Cherkasy name has been resurrected once again.

And it sends a critical message to President Putin.

If the Kremlin despot believes we are distracted by events in the Middle East he is mistaken. This moment is a wake-up call to the West. A moment once more to renew our complete and utter resolve and prove Putin wrong.

Because rewarding illegality with victory would send a terrible signal.

Not just to our allies in the East but also to the likes of China and Iran.

Suggesting we’re not willing to stand up for international rules.

Suggesting weakness, suggesting vulnerability.

So, securing the seas is the only way to defeat a tyrant like Putin and guarantee long term independence and prosperity for Ukraine and for the whole of Europe.

Back in 1939, when Winston Churchill returned to Admiralty House a signal was sent out to our fleet saying simply: “Winston is back”.

Today the Cherkasy is back, which a decade ago stood defiant, and it’s returned too.

It no longer stands alone.

And it is sending a message of its own to aggressors.

Ukraine will rule the waves.

Ukraine is back.

Slava Ukraini.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 12 December 2023.

General Sir Roly Walker KCB DSO is to be appointed as Chief of the General Staff and Aide-de-Camp to His Majesty in the rank of General.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps has confirmed that His Majesty The King has approved the new appointment of the Chief of the General Staff.

General Sir Roly Walker KCB DSO is to be appointed as Chief of the General Staff and Aide-de-Camp to His Majesty in the rank of General in succession to General Sir Patrick Sanders KBE CBE DSO in June 2024.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said:

I am delighted to congratulate General Sir Roly Walker on his deserved promotion and appointment in June as Chief of the General Staff, the future of the British Army is in excellent hands.

Roly’s wealth of operational experience and previous appointments make him very well suited to lead the British Army as we continue to modernise our Armed Forces to meet the threats and challenges in a more contested and dangerous world. I take this opportunity to recognise General Sir Patrick Sanders’ service to the nation during his distinguished career. Patrick has been integral to driving Defence’s modernisation agenda and I wish him all the best in the future.

Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin said:

“I congratulate Lieutenant General Roly Walker on his appointment as Chief of the General Staff, and I congratulate General Sanders for all he has achieved in his five years at the top of Defence.

“As the beneficiary of a £40 billion equipment recapitalisation programme, the 2020s are full of opportunity for the British Army. A proven operational commander and a forward-thinking Whitehall leader, General Roly is just the man to seize the moment. I look forward to working with him in the years ahead.”

General Sir Roly Walker said:

I am absolutely thrilled to be appointed as the next Chief of the General Staff. It has always been a tremendous honour to lead our nation’s soldiers, so the chance to serve them once again, and in this role, is the highest of privileges. It also carries great responsibility, which I promise to discharge to the best of my abilities. Our soldiers, and those who support them, deserve nothing less.

My task will be to build on the successes of my predecessor and friend, Patrick, and lead the British Army forward on an ambitious modernisation journey that means we are fitter, faster for the challenges of the future. There is plenty to be excited about. The Defence Command Paper has set the priorities for the Army and backed them with investment. We have brilliant people at every rank who will turn this into real and potent fighting power. And we have many strong and reliable allies around the world with whom we can work for the common good.

The scene is set. We know our part in Defence’s plan. I’m looking forward to starting.

A biography of General Sir Roly Walker can be found on gov.uk

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 11 December 2023.

The UK is to lead a new Maritime Capability Coalition alongside Norway, with Defence Secretary Grant Shapps confirming the transfer of two Royal Navy minehunter ships to the Ukrainian Navy.

• The UK will lead a new Maritime Capability Coalition alongside Norway, delivering ships and vehicles to strengthen Ukraine’s ability to operate at sea.
• Defence Secretary Grant Shapps will today confirm Ukraine’s procurement of two Royal Navy minehunter ships for the Ukrainian Navy.
• New coalition will deliver long-term support to Ukraine, including training, equipment, and infrastructure to bolster security in the Black Sea.

Two Royal Navy minehunter ships are being transferred from the Royal Navy to the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) in a move to strengthen Ukraine’s ability to operate at sea.

As the UK and Norway launch a new Maritime Capability Coalition, Defence Secretary Grant Shapps will announce the procurement of two Sandown Class mine countermeasures vessels (MCMVs) by Ukraine through UK Export Finance today in London.

He will be joined by his Norwegian counterpart to jointly launch the Maritime Capability Coalition. Alongside this new initiative, the Defence Secretary will confirm further details of UK military support to Ukraine.

Ukraine’s economy continues to be impacted by Putin’s blockade in the Black Sea, which has significantly reduced the country’s ability to move vital exports by sea. Strengthening the AFU’s maritime capabilities, in particular countering the threat from Russian sea mines, will help restore Ukraine’s maritime exports.

This builds on the UK Foreign Secretary’s visit to Ukraine last month where he welcomed the launch of the new ‘Unity Facility’ between UK company Marsh McLennan and the Ukrainian Government, which will provide affordable shipping insurance for grain and other critical food supplies globally from Ukraine’s Black Sea ports, actively support international efforts to alleviate the global food crisis.

The new Maritime Capability Coalition will build the support that the UK, Norway, and others are providing to Ukraine. This will be long term to help Ukraine transform its navy, making it more compatible with western allies, more interoperable with NATO, and bolstering security in the Black Sea.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said: 

“These minehunters will deliver vital capability to Ukraine which will help save lives at sea and open up vital export routes, which have been severely limited since Putin launched his illegal full-scale invasion.

“This capability boost marks the beginning of a new dedicated effort by the UK, Norway and our allies to strengthen Ukraine’s maritime capabilities over the long term, enhancing their ability to operate in defending their sovereign waters and bolstering security in the Black Sea.

“As an island nation with a proud maritime history, the UK and Royal Navy are particularly well-placed to support this endeavour, which will form part of a series of new coalitions formed between allies to ensure an enduring military commitment in support of Ukraine.”

Norwegian Defence Minister Bjørn Arild Gram said: 

“The defence of Ukraine is important for Euro-Atlantic security. Now The United Kingdom, Norway and other countries will support Ukraine in developing their navy.

“Our goal is to contribute to building a lasting Ukrainian naval capability. In the further work, I hope Norway, as a sea-faring nation, can contribute with maritime expertise, new technological solutions and innovative thinking.”

The new maritime coalition will work closely with the Ukrainian Navy and Ministry of Defence to develop a number of capabilities, including the rapid development of a maritime force in the Black Sea, continuing to develop a Ukrainian Marine Corps, and river patrol craft to defend coastal and inland waterways.

Agreed during recent meetings of the 50-nation strong Ukraine Defence Contact Group, it forms part of a series of Capability Coalitions to strengthen Ukraine’s operations in other domains including on land and in the air.

The UK and Norway, together with other international partners, have already helped train hundreds of Ukrainian marines and aim to build on this work.

The Prime Minister and Defence Secretary have emphasised the UK’s unwavering support for Ukraine, with £4.6bn in military support allocated since Putin launched his full-scale invasion, and more than 52,000 Ukrainian troops trained since Russia first invaded Crimea in 2014.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 8 December 2023.

Minister for Defence People and Families, Rt Hon Dr Andrew Murrison MP visited troops at Tapa Camp to thank them for their part in protecting NATO’s borders.

Minister for Defence People and Families, Rt Hon Dr Andrew Murrison MP, has met UK Armed Forces during a visit to Estonia to personally thank soldiers for their work in upholding European security.

The Minister also met Estonia’s Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur to discuss the UK’s commitment to protecting European security through our joint work to support the NATO alliance.

Troops based at Tapa Camp consist of the 1st Battalion Royal Regiment of Fusiliers alongside other units from the Royal Artillery and the Royal Engineers. This is further bolstered by personnel located in the Estonian Defence Forces HQ in Talinn. The UK has been the Framework Nation for NATO’s enhanced Forward Presence mission in Estonia since 2017.

As part of our commitment to enhance the experience of our Armed Forces, the Minister reviewed improvements to camp facilities including the introduction of a NAAFI Welfare facility, improved catering options, entertainment, and an expanded training offer.

Minister for Defence People and Families, Rt Hon Dr Andrew Murrison MP said:

I want to thank our Armed Forces, stationed in Estonia, who are on the frontline in reinforcing the NATO alliance. Their hard work and commitment is critical to protecting peace and reinforcing our commitment to Estonia.

Our service personnel, and their families, make huge sacrifices especially when stationed away from home to defend our nation. I am committed to continue driving forward improvements to the support we provide them, ensuring they have the best possible experience.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 7 December 2023.

The MOD have signed contracts to provide new and refurbished infrastructure for the Red Arrows at their new home of RAF Waddington.

These contracts, signed with construction company Galliford Try, also include work to build or refurbish facilities at three other RAF stations. The Royal Air Force Aerobatics Team (RAFAT), better known as the Red Arrows, moved to RAF Waddington in October last year. New facilities are now required for the team and their distinctive red Hawk fast jets.

The project is part of the MOD’s wider Defence Estate Optimisation (DEO) Portfolio, which is investing £5.1bn in the infrastructure needed by our service people through construction activity, unit and personnel moves, and the release of sites that are no longer suited to the needs of our modern military.

Air Officer Airbases, Air Commodore Portlock welcomed senior leaders from DEO, Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) and representatives from Galliford Try to RAF Waddington. They signed four contracts to deliver a project which spans RAF Leeming, RAF Saxton Wold, both RAF Boulmer sites and RAF Waddington.

Speaking at the signing, Air Commodore Portlock said:

This significant milestone marks an exciting transition into the much-awaited design and build phase of the project. Providing this essential infrastructure will enable the RAF to make best use of its estate, whilst also delivering our capabilities which are critical to defence.

Earlier this year, multiple contractors from the construction industry were awarded packages of work across the DEO Portfolio in a landmark move to speed up project delivery. The move will also provide a more collaborative way of working, and a consistent approach to sustainable building practices.

Director of Major Projects and Programmes for DIO, Charles Hoskins said:

Our first DEO project for Air Command under the new contracting mechanism is embarking on a journey to turn vision into reality. Today we sign the design and build contracts and look forward to collaborating with Galiford Try to deliver all capabilities within this project.

These contracts, which have enabled the disposal of RAF Scampton, will now see Galliford Try design and deliver the required infrastructure for Battlespace Management (BM) Force’s Deployable Air Surveillance and Control System (DASCAS), the Mobile Meteorological Unit (MMU) and the Red Arrows.

Jon Marston, Managing Director of Galliford Try Building East Midlands, said:

We are delighted to be signing these contracts and look forward to continuing our strong partnership with the MOD to successfully deliver these projects for the RAF and defence.

The project team are set to deliver a combination of refurbishments, new build facilities and single living accommodation across the sites.

DEO Air Programme Manager, Frank Green said:

Today’s signing ceremony is the result of an exhaustive process that required hard work and a collaborative attitude from all. Moving forward, I am excited to be part of a truly collegiate venture, bringing key improvements to the supported RAF units.

RAFAT will benefit from refurbishment and the modernisation of existing infrastructure, including space for aircraft parking and runway access, as well as maintenance capabilities, a refurbished aircraft hangar and office space.

Plans also include new, modern Single Living Accommodation (SLA) to replace the existing life-expired accommodation as part of a wider scheme to replace SLA. The increase in facilities will see about 150 additional personnel operating from the site once complete.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 7 December 2023.

The King was pleased to approve the following government appointments.

• Michael Tomlinson KC MP to be a Minister of State (Minister for Illegal Migration) in the Home Office;
• Tom Pursglove MP to be a Minister of State (Minister for Legal Migration and Delivery) in the Home Office;
• Robert Courts MP to be Solicitor General.

Michael Tomlinson will attend Cabinet.