Tag: Ministry of Defence

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 13 February 2026.

UK will spend over £400 million this financial year on hypersonic and long-range weapons including joint projects with France, Germany, and Italy.

The UK is scaling up cooperation with key European allies to develop new long-range precision and hypersonic weapons, with spending on projects set to exceed £400 million this financial year.

Britain is progressing the Stratus joint missile programme with France and Italy – leading the work to develop a next generation stealth replacement to the Storm Shadow missile.

Stratus, which is developing both stealth and high-speed missile variants, already sustains over 1,300 high-skilled jobs in the UK. The new missiles will be able to defeat high-value targets, destroy enemy ships, and suppress enemy air defences.

At the same time, Britian’s new long-range weapon programme with Germany is progressing rapidly with a new joint study phase about to begin, accelerating both future stealth and hypersonic weapons. This follows the landmark UK-Germany Trinity House Agreement signed within the first months of this Government in 2024.

The new system – known as Deep Precision Strike – will have a range of over 2,000 km and be among the most advanced systems ever designed by the UK, coming into service in the 2030s. Long-range weapons are crucial to protecting the UK and our allies and boosting NATO deterrence.

The government has committed to the largest sustained increase in defence spending since the end of the Cold War – hitting 2.6% of GDP from 2027 – to ensure that Britain and our allies are safe.

Defence Secretary John Healey MP said:

To meet this new era of rising threats, we need hard power, strong alliances and sure diplomacy.

We can see from the war in Ukraine the decisive impact of long-range precision weapons, so the UK is stepping up, investing more than £400 million for long-range and hypersonic weapons this year.

Alongside Germany, France and Italy, we will deliver the cutting-edge weapons that will keep the UK and NATO safe, boost deterrence, and build a new deal for European security.

Hypersonic weapons investment this year also includes funding for developing critical technologies, ground and flight testing, as well as significant funding for academic skills and training including funding post-graduate study.

The Defence Secretary is expected to discuss these projects and deepening industrial cooperation during crucial meetings with European and international allies at the Munich Security Conference.

This ramped up missile cooperation by European allies comes as Russia’s aggression in Ukraine continues. In early February, UK Defence Intelligence confirmed that Russia conducted a major multi-axis and multi-weapon strike on Ukraine, using long range bombers, hypersonic missiles, over 60 ballistic and cruise missiles, and 450 one-way attack drones.

The Defence Secretary is expected to talk to allies during a series of bilateral meetings at the Munich Security Conference about boosting support for Ukraine, defending Europe against growing Russian threats,  and enhancing industrial partnerships with key allies and partners.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 13 February 2026.

The development of the new hypersonic missiles will speed up thanks to a £12 million contract which will benefit British-based businesses.

A £12 million investment in hypersonic missiles and systems has been made with Warrington-based engineering contractor, Amentum UK.

Supported by Ebeni and Synthetik, based in Wiltshire and London respectively, they will deliver engineering expertise to develop the design for the hypersonic system, which will be demonstrated through flight testing before being adapted into prototype missiles able to operate at extreme speeds and temperatures required for hypersonic flight.

These efforts will build the UK’s sovereign hypersonic missile capability, strengthening our national security and our industrial partnership with NATO allies.

The Strategic Defence Review (SDR) highlighted the importance of hypersonic missiles to modern warfighting and the advances announced today will help deliver on the SDR conclusions. Building sovereign capability of these long-range, high-speed precision weapons will help protect the UK and our allies, and boost NATO deterrence.

The Government is delivering the largest sustained increase in defence spending since the end of the Cold War, hitting 2.6% of GDP from 2027.

Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry Luke Pollard MP said:

In this new era of threat, we need a new era for defence. This means moving quicker to develop and buy the cutting-edge technologies our Armed Forces need for modern warfighting.

We are making defence an engine for growth. This contract will accelerate the UK’s development of sovereign hypersonic missile capability, strengthen our national security and back British workers.

This award builds on significant momentum within the hypersonics programme since July 2024. 124 suppliers, of which over 50% are small and medium enterprises (SMEs), have been awarded 22 contracts across a range of different technology and capability areas to progress our hypersonics capability. The total estimated value of contracts awarded since July 2024 is £48 million, with a notable proportion of funds flowing to SMEs.  

A proportion of the contract will flow directly to SME partners Ebeni and Synthetik, who have been integral to developing the solution from the outset. The partnership includes reverse mentoring arrangements which will reduce barriers to entry for smaller businesses and promote collaborative working across the supply chain. 

Awarding of the contract took only 31 days after the invitation to tender, delivering against the Government’s pledge to speed up lengthy procurement processes. The MOD’s Commercial X team is fulfilling its mission to deliver ground-breaking technology and innovation quickly, by modernising Defence’s approach to acquisition while cutting bureaucracy.

Rupert Pearce, National Armaments Director, said: 

This contract represents exactly the kind of innovative partnership approach that the Defence Industrial Strategy demands, bringing together expertise from across Defence, large companies, SMEs, and academia to deliver at pace.

This Industry Mission Partner model breaks down traditional organisational boundaries and creates the collaborative environment we need to deliver this critical sovereign capability. We are not only advancing our hypersonic ambitions but also strengthening our defence industrial base and supporting jobs across the UK.

Cdr Paul Greason, Team Hypersonics (UK) Programme Director, said:

Successfully launching the Industry Mission Partner contract is a significant achievement for Team Hypersonics (UK).  It follows extensive industry engagement across the Hypersonics Technologies & Capability Development Framework (HTCDF) suppliers to prepare for swift commercial activity to maintain challenging timelines. 

Delivering against our stated intent was as important for MOD as it is for Industry and I am grateful to my team for meeting this challenge which was fundamental to establishing a successful partnership.

Armentum and its subcontractors Ebeni Limited and Synthetik Applied Technologies UK Ltd will work as part of a fully integrated Team Hypersonics, established to deliver MOD’s ambition to field a Hypersonic Strike Capability, developing a weapons system demonstrator by the end of the decade.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 12 February 2026.

New half a billion pound package of air defence for Ukraine, including £150 million for NATO PURL, and additional 1,000 UK-manufactured missiles.

The UK has announced it will urgently provide new air defence missiles and systems worth over £500 million to protect Ukraine from Putin’s brutal attacks on energy sites and homes, as the Defence Secretary co-chairs the 33rd meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group today (12th February 2026) at the NATO headquarters in Brussels.

The Defence Secretary will confirm that the UK will for the first time provide £150 million to the NATO Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) initiative, which ensures the rapid delivery of air defence interceptors to defend Ukraine’s skies.

The PURL initiative sees NATO coordinating the purchase of world-class defence equipment from the United States for the defence of Ukraine. 

At the same time, the UK is set to deliver an additional 1,000 Lightweight Multirole Missiles (LMMs), manufactured in Belfast, that will be critical to defending Ukrainian infrastructure and cities from Russia’s escalating drone and missile attacks.

This £390 million deal builds on the deepening collaboration between UK and Ukrainian industry to transfer production and support of Rapid Ranger launchers and command and control vehicles to Ukraine. 

The coming months will also see the UK deliver an additional 1,200 air defence missiles and 200,000 rounds of artillery ammunition for Ukraine’s defenders through the Air Defence Consortium (ADC). 

Defence Secretary John Healey MP said:

As we approach the fifth year of Putin’s full scale invasion, the UK and our allies are more committed than ever to supporting Ukraine.

I’m proud of the UK’s continued leadership and pleased to confirm a new half a billion pound package of air defence, including £150 million for PURL, to help Ukrainians defend against Putin’s relentless drone and missile attacks.

The UDCG meeting of 50 nations will be co-chaired by the UK and the German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, and attended by Ukrainian Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles. 

Ukraine’s supporters will discuss the country’s key military needs for 2026, share battlefield insights, plan equipment deliveries, and identify the gaps that need to be addressed.  

The UK stepped up to co-lead the Ukraine Defence Contact Group with Germany, as well as the Coalition of the Willing with France, last year. Both the Prime Minister and Defence Secretary have been clear that the UK’s national security – the foundation of the Government’s Plan for Change – starts in Ukraine.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 8 February 2026.

British soldiers will be able to make faster, better decisions on the battlefield through thousands of new radios, headsets and tablets.

• New communications systems will give commanders faster battlefield information and speed up decision-making.
• MOD awards contract worth up to £86 million to British-based SME for advanced tactical communication systems, such as radios and tablets. 
• Contract creates 12 UK defence industry jobs and builds on successful deployment in Estonia. 

The contract, worth up to £86 million, has been awarded to UK-based company BlackTree Technologies with the systems rapidly reducing the time it takes for soldiers to receive reconnaissance and intelligence data, boosting lethality and reducing friendly fire incidents.

Known as the Dismounted Data System (DDS), the AI capable equipment includes radios, headsets, display tablets, cables, batteries, pouches and antennas. 

They will provide precise information on surroundings and intelligence, meaning increased clarity on who are enemies and who are comrades.

With all soldiers linked to the same network through this equipment, DDS will also be tailored to different scenarios, allowing troops to receive either, or a combination of, voice or visual data, maximising effectiveness across all battlefield situations.

The new systems have already been tested by soldiers on deployment in Estonia. The testing, on NATO’s eastern flank, saw the visual information element allowing soldiers to be less distracted by loud noises on the battlefield.

This follows the government committing to the largest sustained increase in defence spending since the end of the Cold War – hitting 2.6% of GDP from 2027 – supporting good jobs and growth in every corner of the nation.

Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, Luke Pollard MP said:

The ability to receive, share and deploy accurate information is crucial to battlefield advantage, and this state-of-the-art technology will make our soldiers more integrated and more lethal. 

It will begin rolling out to the British Army this year and with the work delivered by a British-based SME, shows that our move to warfighting readiness is being seized as an opportunity to make defence an engine for growth in the UK.

One of the benefits of the new systems are that they have already been tested by soldiers on deployment in Estonia. The testing, on NATO’s eastern flank, saw the visual information element allowing soldiers to be less distracted from loud noises on the battlefield.

The contract supports this government’s commitment to spend more with UK small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), with the work creating 12 new jobs in locations in Tewkesbury, Hereford and Birmingham. 

The DDS will be delivered to the Army in multiple tranches from September, with the full roll out of equipment set to be complete in 2027. An initial £46 million contact has been made by the Army with BlackTree Technologies, with options for a further £40 million.

The contract supports the Chief of the General Staff’s ambition to double the British Army’s lethality by 2027, and it backs delivery of the Strategic Defence Review to move to warfighting readiness. 

Head of Tactical Systems, National Armaments Director Group, Brigadier Jeremy Sharpe, said: 

We are delighted to be building on the successful deployment in Estonia last year and looking forward to working with BlackTree Technologies to bring this game changing capability to more of the British Army.

BlackTree founder and Managing Director, Neil Clements-Hill said: 

BlackTree are excited to be working with the TacSys team to field this cutting-edge technology to the British Army. Waveforms ensure that the Army can operate in the most demanding environments, when nothing else works.  

From initial experimentation under the DSA programme, through the delivery of Project ASGARD in 2025, and now delivering Dismounted Data System capacity, we have been working closely with the Army for many years and are very happy to continue this close relationship and help ensure that they can achieve their vision of modernising their tactical networks.

The MOD is ramping up support for UK SMEs, with the establishment in January of the Defence Office for Small Business Growth, and the spending target of an additional £2.5 billion with UK SMEs through to May 2028, taking total annual MOD spending with SMEs to £7.5 billion. 

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 2 February 2026.

The security of key military sites will be strengthened as Defence personnel will be given stronger powers to defeat drones near bases as part of new measures being introduced in the Armed Forces Bill.

• More than 250 drone incidents near UK military sites in 2025, double the number in 2024.
• Defence personnel will be given new powers through the Armed Forces Bill to defeat drones threatening Defence sites.
• New legislation will also allow personnel to take action against land and maritime drones posing a threat.

The security of key military sites will be strengthened as Defence personnel will be given stronger powers to defeat drones near bases as part of new measures being introduced in the Armed Forces Bill.

It comes as newly confirmed figures demonstrate the growing threat rogue drones are posing to Ministry of Defence sites throughout the UK. In 2025, there were 266 reported Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle incidents near Defence sites, a rise from the 126 incidents reported in 2024.

The legislation will give authorised personnel the power to take out drones deemed to be posing a threat to any Defence site without the need for assistance from police.

The Armed Forces Bill will also allow personnel to destroy land drones or those that can be operated on or under water, in addition to aerial drones.

Current legislation that enables interference with drones for the purpose of preventing crime can only be used by the police and certain other agencies. The new measures allow defence personnel to protect their own sites and operations.

Defence Secretary John Healey MP said:

The doubling of rogue drones near military sites in the UK in the last year underlines the increasing and changing nature of the threats we face.

Through the Armed Forces Bill, we’re giving our military greater powers to take out and shoot down threatening drones near bases. And stepping up investment in counter-drone technology to keep Britain secure at home and strong abroad.

The new powers will add to the significant measures introduced by this government to increase the security of military sites, reversing years of under-investment and ensuring bases meet the highest security standards. 

The Government has quadrupled its spending on Counter Uncrewed Aerial Systems since taking office, allocating over £200 million this year alone, reflecting the priority of autonomy and counter-drone technology as a key deliverable throughout the Strategic Defence Review.

Recent months have seen the introduction of restricted airspace at 40 defence sites, the deployment of new drones to guard military bases, investment in advanced CCTV and integrated threat monitoring systems to strengthen base security, and £20 million in digital transformation to modernise security systems.

Advanced technology like automated track-and-detect systems are now operational at multiple key sites, delivering 24/7 surveillance and enabling rapid response to threats.

The Armed Forces Bill was introduced in the House of Commons on 15 January 2026 and had its second reading on 26 January.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 26 January 2026.

Lucy Bogue, Director SJC GUARDIAN, has announced the appointment of Kier Pritchard as Ministry of Defence Police (MDP) Chief Constable following an open selection process.

Kier joined the MDP in September 2023 as Deputy Chief Constable, following an exemplary career with Wiltshire Police, and in September 2025 he stepped into the role of Interim Chief Constable. He has already made a significant impact, emphasising the critical importance of the MDP amid an increasingly unpredictable global landscape and is committed to ensuring the force is recognised as the vital national asset it truly is.

With the force continuing its programme of modernisation and improvement, it is vital to maintain continuity of force command and leadership and therefore several temporary promotions have been granted, until substantive selection processes are finalised: Assistant Chief Constable Simon Dobinson has stepped up to Interim Deputy Chief Constable, and Chief Superintendent Sarah Johnson has stepped up to Interim Assistant Chief Constable.  They will continue to support CC Pritchard and the MDP in the collective mission to protect the nation’s defences and national infrastructure. 

Commenting on the appointments, Lucy Bogue, Director SJC GUARDIAN, said:

I am delighted that Kier has been appointed to the position of Chief Constable. Kier is well placed to lead the Force, who provide unique specialist policing, and support Defence to mitigate the complex and evolving threats that we, and the UK face. I look forward to working with him as Chief Constable.

Kier Pritchard said: 

I am incredibly honoured to step into the role of Chief Constable. We are operating at a time of heightened global tension, from hostile acts and insider threats to protestor incursions and community unrest. The spotlight is on us. I have every confidence that MDP will continue to rise to these challenges with professionalism, courage, and unity. I look forward to working with, and leading, our dedicated officers and civilian colleagues through this vital next chapter, where together we will further modernise our force to protect Defence.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 13 January 2026.

The UK and Poland’s ability to shoot down air and missile threats will be strengthened by deepened cooperation between the two countries.

• UK and Poland to enhance joint training to improve both countries’ ability to shoot down air and missile threats.
• Polish helicopter pilots and instructors to begin training in the UK this summer as part of deepening cooperation.
• Agreement comes as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer welcomes Polish President Karol Nawrocki to Downing Street.

The UK and Poland’s ability to shoot down air and missile threats will be strengthened by deepened cooperation between the two countries.

The allies have agreed to explore the development and procurement of new capabilities to counter a range of air threats, as well as how to encourage the establishment of new manufacturing capacity in Europe.

Under the agreement, the British and Polish militaries will train together in virtual environments to improve air defence coordination without the cost and danger of live exercises.

The enhanced training will boost Euro-Atlantic security and will be delivered as part of the UK-led NATO initiative known as Delivering Integrated Air and Missile Operational Networked Defences (DIAMOND).

The UK and Poland also agreed at today’s meeting in Downing Street between Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Polish President Karol Nawrocki to enhance their helicopter training cooperation.

From this summer, the first of eight Polish military helicopter pilots will begin training in the UK under the NATO Flight Training Europe (NFTE) programme. They will be joined by two experienced Polish helicopter instructors who will be permanently stationed in RAF Shawbury for a full rotational tour.  

The pilots will undertake world-class helicopter training at RAF Shawbury, including advanced training to prepare them for their future roles flying attack helicopters.

Defence Secretary John Healey MP said:

The UK and Poland’s defence relationship has never been stronger. Standing strong on NATO’s eastern flank, Poland is a crucial ally for the UK in this era of rising threats.

This new cooperation we have announced today will see more joint training and integration between our two militaries.

It is another example of how the UK and Poland are stepping up to defend Europe and face down the threat from Putin.

It comes as the UK defence budget is rising to record levels, with the biggest boost to defence spending since the Cold War, totalling £270bn this parliament alone.

Poland is one of the UK’s strongest allies with over 350 British personnel currently deployed across Poland, and with British and Polish pilots flying together as part of NATO’s Eastern Sentry mission to protect Polish and NATO airspace.

UK-Polish defence industrial collaboration is deepening rapidly – worth around £8 billion to the UK over the past three years, showcasing how defence is an engine for growth.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 11 January 2026.

The UK will develop new tactical ballistic missiles that boost Ukraine’s firepower to defend itself from Putin’s war machine.

• New ballistic missile could carry a 200kg warhead over a range of more than 500 kilometres.
• Missile will provide Ukraine a long range-punch to counter Russian aggression
• Project aims to boost UK defence industry, supporting innovation and growth while stepping up support for Ukraine into 2026.

The UK will develop new tactical ballistic missiles that boost Ukraine’s firepower to defend itself from Putin’s war machine.

Under Project Nightfall, the UK has launched a competition to rapidly develop ground-launched ballistic missiles with a range of more than 500 kilometres and designed to operate in high-threat battlefields with heavy electromagnetic interference.

Nightfall missiles will be capable of being launched from a range of vehicles, firing multiple missiles in quick succession and withdrawing within minutes – allowing Ukrainian forces to hit key military targets before Russian forces can respond.

With a 200kg conventional high explosive warhead, high precision production rate of 10 systems per month and a maximum price of £800,000 per missile, NIGHTFALL is intended to provide Ukraine with a powerful, cost-effective long-range strike option, with minimal foreign export controls.

The Nightfall project builds on the UK’s ironclad commitment to Ukraine, particularly to its long range capabilities, through the gifting of thousands of deep strike one-way attack drones.

Defence Secretary John Healey MP said:

The attacks overnight on Thursday just go to show how Putin thinks he can act with impunity, targeting civilian areas with advanced weaponry.

Instead of seriously negotiating a peace, he’s seriously escalating his illegal war.

We were close enough to hear the air raid sirens around Lviv on our journey to Kyiv, it was a serious moment and a stark reminder of the barrage of drones and missiles hitting Ukrainians in sub-zero conditions.

We won’t stand for this, which is why we are determined to put leading edge weapons into the hands of Ukrainians as they fight back.

Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, Luke Pollard MP said:

A secure Europe needs a strong Ukraine. These new long-range British missiles will keep Ukraine in the fight and give Putin another thing to worry about.

In 2026, we will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine. Providing equipment to keep them in the fight today, whilst working to secure the peace tomorrow.

The project aims for three industry teams to each be awarded a £9 million development contract to design, develop and deliver their first three missiles within 12 months for test firings.

Nightfall is a project focused on rapid prototyping, spiral development, resilience to electronic warfare, and the ability to scale manufacturing quickly, particularly in the UK.

Whilst aimed at supporting Ukraine, Nightfall will also inform future UK Armed Forces’ long range strike projects.

The detailed Nightfall requirements were shared with Industry Partners on the 19 December 2025 that had signed the required confidentiality and security arrangements. The deadline to receive Nightfall development proposals is the 9th February 2026, with development contract(s) aimed to be awarded in March 2026.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 3 January 2026.

Royal Air Force aircraft have completed successful strikes against Daesh in a joint operation with France.

Royal Air Force aircraft have continued to conduct patrols over Syria to help prevent any attempted resurgence of the Daesh terrorist movement following its military defeat at Baghuz Fawqani in March 2019. Careful intelligence analysis identified an underground facility, in the mountains some miles north of the ancient site of Palmyra. This facility had been occupied by Daesh, most likely to store weapons and explosives. The area around the facility is devoid of any civilian habitation.

RAF Typhoon FGR4s, supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker, therefore joined French aircraft in a joint strike on the underground facility on the evening of Saturday 3 January.  Our aircraft used Paveway IV guided bombs to target a number of access tunnels down to the facility; whilst detailed assessment is now underway, initial indications are that the target was engaged successfully. There is no indication of any risk having been posed to civilians by the strike, and all our aircraft returned safely.

Defence Secretary John Healey MP said:

This action shows our UK leadership, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to stamp out any resurgence of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East.

I want to thank all the members of our Armed Forces involved in this operation – for their professionalism and their courage.

They were among thousands of British personnel deployed over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who threaten our way of life, shows how our Armed Forces are ready to step up, all year round, keeping Britain secure at home and strong abroad.