Tag: Press Release

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 28 December 2025.

The UK has signed a £52 million contract with Germany for state-of-the-art military artillery.

• State-of-the-art military artillery that can move at speeds of up to 100km/h secured under £52 million contract.
• Joint deal speeds up delivery of military kit to both the UK and Germany – demonstrating deepening defence cooperation.
• Partnership strengthens NATO capabilities of collective defence – strengthening interoperability.

Military artillery that can fire on the move and hit targets 70km away has been secured under a major £52 million contract between the UK and Germany.

The deal means the UK will receive a cutting-edge Early Capability Demonstrator (ECD) platform of the RCH 155, with two more going to Germany for joint testing.

This joint procurement demonstrates deepening defence cooperation between the UK and Germany under the Trinity House agreement signed in October 2024 – a landmark defence agreement that committed both nations to military collaboration.

RCH 155 is a long-term solution for the British Army’s Mobile Fires Platform requirement. Soldiers currently operate the 14 Archer artillery systems, which are the short-term replacement for the AS90 guns gifted to Ukraine.

The RCH 155 is mounted on to a BOXER armoured vehicle and it can:

• Fire 8 rounds per minute while moving at speeds up to 100km/h.
• Hit targets in any direction without repositioning.
• Travel 700km without refuelling – similar to the driving distance from Cornwall to Newcastle.
• Operate with only 2 crew members thanks to cutting-edge automation.

Unlike traditional artillery that needs to stop and set up before firing, this system shoots while on the move, making it faster and harder for adversaries to target.

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

The British Army will soon have new artillery that can fire on the move. This builds on lessons from Ukraine enabling our Army to hit targets 70km away and move fast away from returning fire so they can fire again.

The war in Ukraine has demonstrated the importance of being able to fire rapidly and move, and it is such lessons that are informing our procurement decisions and helping us deliver on the Strategic Defence Review.

As part of the contract, the UK and Germany will share test data and facilities, ensuring both nations get world-class equipment. This means both nations are accelerating procurement timelines whilst reducing costs – delivering better value for taxpayers and enhanced capability for both Armed Forces.

Edward Cutts, Senior Responsible Owner of Mobile Fires in the Army, said:

This joint demonstrator programme exemplifies the strength and ambition of the Trinity House Agreement. By working hand-in-hand with Germany, we’re not only accelerating the delivery of world-class artillery capability for the British Army, but doing so more efficiently and cost-effectively than either nation could achieve alone.

The RCH 155 represents a step-change in mobile artillery – combining devastating firepower with the ability to rapidly reposition. This collaboration ensures our soldiers will be equipped with cutting-edge technology whilst strengthening the interoperability between UK and German forces that is vital to NATO’s collective defence.

The contract agreement supports the Strategic Defence Review – ensuring defence is an engine for growth in this parliament and supporting skilled jobs across the UK defence industry.

The deal strengthens military ties between the UK and Germany – vital for NATO’s collective defence as global threats on the world stage evolve.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 27 December 2025.

Armed Forces to launch “gap year” Foundation Scheme in 2026 to give under-25s experience of armed forces.

Britain’s young people will be given new opportunities to experience military service through a ‘gap year’ Foundation Scheme set to launch in 2026. 

A first wave of around 150 participants will open for recruitment from early 2026, offering young people a year of paid experience and training in the Armed Forces: across the Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force.  Ministers have an ambition to eventually grow the scheme to over 1,000 young people subject to interest.

The scheme, which will launch in March, will offer young people bespoke training courses aimed at giving them the skills and attributes to set them up for success in either military or civilian life, bolstering their employability or providing a route into an exciting career in the Armed Forces.  

The scheme will equip those who may be unsure on their career direction with problem solving, teamwork and leadership skills, as well as offering unique opportunities including undergoing basic training, or experiencing life at sea.  

It forms part of the Government’s drive towards a “whole of society” approach to defence – a key theme of this year’s Strategic Defence Review – reconnecting the public with those who serve, strengthening awareness of the role the Armed Forces play, and giving the next generation the skills and experience to unlock their potential.  

The scheme is informed by the success of the Australian Defence Force’s ‘ADF Gap Year’ scheme, which was cited in the UK Government’s Strategic Defence Review as an “exciting model from which to learn” and has been running for over a decade.  

The announcement follows a “rallying cry” from the head of the Armed Forces, Sir Richard Knighton, who has set out the need for a whole-nation response to an increasingly volatile and uncertain world.  

Defence Secretary, John Healey MP said:

This is a new era for Defence, and that means opening up new opportunities for young people to experience and learn from our Armed Forces.

This gap year scheme will give Britain’s young people a taste of the incredible skills and training on offer across the Army, Royal Navy and RAF. It’s part of our determination to reconnect society with our forces, and drive a whole of society approach to our nation’s defence.

As families come together at this time of year, and young people think about their futures, I want the outstanding opportunities on offer in our Armed Forces to be part of that conversation in homes across the UK.

Minister for Veterans and People Louise Sandher-Jones MP said:  

As a veteran, I know how invaluable the skills and experience gained by serving in the Armed Forces are not only in a military career, but in civilian life.  

This scheme will provide a fantastic opportunity for school leavers and young adults to develop their potential, learn new skills, and contribute to our nation’s security, all while building resilience, teamwork, and leadership skills that will serve them for life. 

As well as broad leadership skills, the Armed Forces Foundation Scheme will be designed to deliver transferrable skills to careers outside of the Armed Forces which will bolster national resilience. For example, working alongside supply chain specialist in the Army, or engineers on Royal Navy ships will provide the skills needed for success in logistics and engineering roles.  

Initially operating as a pilot, the scheme is expected to scale and increase capacity, offering the experience of life in the Armed Forces without a commitment beyond the course.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 26 December 2025.

The UK has seen the highest value of defence exports in 2025 since records began.

• UK secures over £20 billion in defence exports to allies in 2025, expected to be the highest since records began over 40 years ago
• Deals include UK’s largest ever warship export agreement and largest fighter jet sale for a generation
• Over 25,000 British jobs directly supported by these deals for decades to come

2025 is set to be the best year for UK defence exports since records began more than 40 years ago after the Government secured over £20 billion worth of defence deals in a single year, backing thousands of skilled British jobs and companies across the UK. 

From the UK’s biggest ever warship deal to the largest fighter jet exports agreement in a generation, the Government has ensured the UK is a leading defence partner for our allies across the world.

It demonstrates strong and rapid delivery of the Strategic Defence Review’s ambition to make defence an engine for growth through increasing exports, while strengthening the UK’s commitment to working closely with NATO allies.

The UK’s 2025 growth-boosting exports include a £10 billion deal with Norway to export at least five Type 26 frigates, supporting 4,000 jobs across the UK across over 430 businesses of all sizes.

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

We are showing again how this government is delivering on our pledge to make defence an engine for economic growth across the country while boosting our security and that of our allies.

By winning the historic deal to build Type 26 frigates for Norway, we are driving growth in Scotland and across the UK while better equipping our combined navies to counter the threat from Russia in the North Atlantic. And by exporting Typhoon fighter jets to Türkiye, we are securing high-skilled jobs in Lancashire, Scotland and across the UK whilst helping strengthen NATO’s southern flank.

We are committed to working with our allies and defence industries to make sure the UK is a leader in global defence exports, and there’s more to come in 2026.

This month the UK and Norway signed the Lunna House agreement, which will see the Royal Navy and Royal Norwegian Navy operate together to counter the threat from Putin’s fleet in the North Atlantic. The UK recently announced the Atlantic Bastion transformation of the Royal Navy’s submarine-hunting capabilities, using uncrewed systems to develop a hybrid navy.

A further 20,000 jobs across the UK were secured through the largest fighter jet deal in a generation, selling 20 world-leading Typhoons to Türkiye in an £8 billion boost to the economy and strengthening NATO’s collective security.

These deals are also complemented by the export and sale of 12 C-130 aircraft to Türkiye at a combined value to UK defence and Marshall Aerospace Group of over £550M – safeguarding 1,400 skilled jobs in Cambridge – as well as the sale by Devon-based company Supacat of 18 transporter vehicles for Czechia’s armed forces.

Earlier this year the UK signed a new AUKUS treaty with Australia to better protect our seas, which has potential to drive up to £20 billion in potential exports and support over 21,000 UK jobs.

The UK is looking to build on this year’s success in 2026 by delivering further deals with allies, actively seeking to export systems such as advanced aircraft, the latest maritime technology and systems, and armoured transport vehicles such as Boxer.

To strengthen the UK’s position as a leading defence exporter, the UK recently joined the Agreement on Defence Export Controls, alongside France, Germany and Spain, which will make it easier for British business to export to partner nations.

These successes come as the Ministry of Defence implements the largest programme of reform in over 50 years, including the establishment of the National Armaments Director Group and its new International Collaboration & Exports team.

UK Defence and Security Exports defence exports statistics go back to 1983, more than 40 years ago.

Rupert Pearce, National Armaments Director, said:

These export successes reflect the NAD Group’s mission to strengthen international partnerships while driving economic growth at home.

By working as one integrated organisation, we’re facilitating access to UK defence capability for our allies to access world-leading UK defence capability, creating jobs and prosperity across the country whilst building the collective deterrence we all need.

Avril Jolliffe, Director General of International Collaboration and Exports (IC&E), said:

Global security demands an always-on approach to international collaboration and exports.

As announced in the Strategic Defence Review, we’re creating a single point of focus that connects UK industry directly with international opportunities.

This isn’t just about selling equipment – it’s about building defence partnerships that support collective security and UK economic objectives.