Latest news with #DefenceSecretary
The Sun
13 hours ago
- Politics
- The Sun
This NATO summit is a defining moment for our alliance and for Britain's security – we must spend more on defence
The Middle East is on the brink. Homes, hospitals and schools in Israel are under bombardment. The crisis in Gaza continues. Millions of people across the region live in fear of what comes next. 2 This government will always back Israel's security and will never allow Iran to get its hands on a nuclear weapon. But we are urging restraint on all sides. As Defence Secretary, my top priority is the protection of our armed forces in the region. It's why we moved at pace to deploy extra military assets when the conflict broke out. The additional Typhoon jets promised by the Prime Minister have now arrived in the region. Force protection for our bases and personnel is at the highest level and I won't rule out sending more capabilities if needed. Because Britain stands ready. Let's not forget that Iran's race to build a bomb is what dragged the Middle East into this crisis. Britain is a nuclear power. Last week, I visited the brilliant British scientists and engineers working on our next-generation nuclear deterrent – the ultimate guarantee of our national security. But we are a responsible nuclear power. Iran would not be. It's a nation committed to the destruction of Israel, whose Supreme Leader described as a 'cancerous tumour' that should be 'removed and eradicated'. 2 The instability in the Middle East, and continued war in Ukraine, shows why this week's NATO Leaders' Summit in the Netherlands matters. We're living in a more dangerous and unpredictable world. This Summit is a defining moment for our alliance and for Britain's security. It's a moment where NATO allies will pledge to step up on defence spending to boost our collective security. President Trump and NATO chief, Mark Rutte, are right: the current NATO spending pledge – to spend at least 2 per cent of GDP on defence – is a relic of a past era. We are now in a new era of threat. And as threats increase, defence spending must too. That's why our government is already one of the biggest spenders in NATO. It's why we've announced the biggest sustained increase in defence spending since the end of the Cold War, funded by switching spending from overseas aid – and we urge NATO allies to match that pace. It's why this week, at NATO we will discuss a new, higher spending target. And Britain is up for that discussion. This debate is not just about getting hard military kit and capabilities into the hands of our outstanding British troops. Not just about investment in housing and pay to fix forces morale and boost recruitment. We are ramping up all these things. It's also about the investment in the security of the British people with the infrastructure, the energy security, the industry and the innovation needed to help harden Britain in a more dangerous world where have seen increasing 'grey zone' threats: cyberattacks, sabotage and more. Sun readers know that investing in defence doesn't just make Britain safer, and back our British troops – it makes British workers better off, too. Our world leading defence industry is an engine for economic growth creating jobs, skills and pride – the foundation of our government's Plan for Change. Last week, I was in Sheffield opening a new artillery factory for British firm BAE Systems, 200 new, skilled jobs. This week, in Aldermaston I saw how our £15bn investment in a new nuclear warhead for our UK nuclear deterrent is supporting 9,500 jobs in Berkshire and doubling the number of apprenticeships. New investment. New jobs. New opportunities for young people. Our government's boost to defence spending will bring more of this good, well-paid work to the places that need it most across the UK. Now and in the coming years, more and more communities will benefit from this 'defence dividend'. And as we boost British jobs, we will make Britain safer. Secure at home, and strong abroad.
Sky News
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Sky News
US Army 250th anniversary parade begins in Washington
A parade marking the US Army's 250th anniversary - and President Donald Trump's 79th birthday - is getting under way. You can watch the event in the livestream above. Speaking earlier this week, Mr Trump said it was going to be a "big day", adding: "We want to show off a little bit." Today will be the first time in more than 30 years that tanks will roll through the US capital. Officials have estimated around 200,000 people could turn out, including protesters, plus 6,600 soldiers, 150 vehicles and 50 aircraft. However, it appears far fewer have turned out - possibly due to the poor weather -and the president has warned any protesters who interfere with proceedings "will be met with very big force". Mr Trump is watching alongside the first lady and defence secretary as troops march past. The event started half an hour early due to the bad weather, with cloud forcing the cancellation of a low-level flypast. Military parachutists began the parade by swooping in and some of the soldiers are parading in historic uniforms, complete with horses and wagons and old vehicles. Please refresh the page for the latest version.
Daily Mail
11-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Defence spending to rise by £11 billion to 2.6per cent of GDP over next two years, Rachel Reeves announces
Defence spending will rise by £11 billion to 2.6per cent of GDP over the next two years, the Chancellor announced today. Rachel Reeves said Britain will become a 'defence industrial superpower' with the extra spending boosting jobs across the UK. In the face of 'a new era' of threats, chiefly Russia, Ms Reeves said there must be 'a new era for defence and security'. But she did not say when the target of spending 3per cent of GDP on defence will be achieved. She told MPs: 'That's why we took the decision to prioritise our defence spending by reducing Overseas Development Aid so that defence spending will now rise to 2.6per cent of GDP by April 2027 including the contribution of our intelligence agencies. 'That uplift provides funding for the Defence Secretary, with a £11bn increase in defence spending and a £600m uplift for our security and intelligence agencies. 'That investment will deliver not only security, but also renewal in Aldermaston and Lincoln; Portsmouth and Filton; On the Clyde and in Rosyth. Investment in Scotland. Jobs in Scotland. Defence for the United Kingdom, opposed by the Scottish National Party delivered by Labour.' Ms Reeves said £4.5 billion would be invested in munitions in Glasgow, Glascoed, Stevenage and Radway Green. Some £6 billion will be spent on upgrading nuclear submarine production in Barrow, Derby and Sheffield. She added: 'We will make Britain a defence industrial superpower. With the jobs, the skills and the pride that comes with that.' Shadow chancellor Sir Mel Stride criticised the Chancellor for not providing a timeline to reach 3per cent. This is made up of an £11 billion increase in spending and a £600 million uplift for the security and intelligence agencies. He said: 'We will always welcome any additional investment in our Armed Forces and capabilities. 'Though I note that nothing was said about when 3per cent will be achieved. 'All we heard was that in the intelligence service, spending was to be included in defence spending to flatter the numbers. 'We left the party opposite a fully funded plan which they dithered over for a year, but now what we get is the Chancellor's own black hole on defence spending, the lack of a timeline on when we will achieve the 3per cent. 'Instead, we get a £30bn bill for the Chagos surrender – money which should go to our brave Armed Forces rather than, as is being reported, funding lower taxation in Mauritius.' The uplift comes after the head of Nato, Mark Rutte, warned countries that do not ramp up defence spending should ' learn to speak Russian '. On Monday, he said the UK's goals to spend 2.5per cent on defence from April 2027 and then aim to get to 3per cent over the next parliament were not at odds with his own proposed target for the bloc. He has proposed members of the bloc spend 5per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) on defence as part of a strengthened investment plan for the alliance. The target would require nations to raise core defence spending to 3.5per cent of GDP, while the remaining 1.5per cent is to be made up of 'defence-related expenditure'. Mr Rutte said every country is 'working in cycles' and that he was 'really impressed' with the UK's plans under the strategic defence review unveiled last week. The Strategic Defence Review published last week recommended a greater focus on new technology, including drones and artificial intelligence. The Ministry of Defence announced a £5 billion investment in the 'kit of the future'. The funding includes £4 billion for drones and autonomous systems, and an extra £1 billion for lasers to protect British ships and soldiers. In addition to investment in drones and AI, the Government has announced an additional £1 billion for the development of 'directed energy weapons' (DEWs) during the current Parliament. This includes the DragonFire laser scheduled to be fitted to the Royal Navy's Type 45 destroyers from 2027, with a similar system provided for the Army by the end of the decade. DragonFire and other DEWs are intended to provide a lower-cost form of air defence against targets including drones, costing just £10 per shot compared with the thousands of pounds it costs to fire existing weapons.
Daily Mail
08-06-2025
- Daily Mail
British 'service person' is arrested on suspicion of rape near UK Army camp in Kenya where 'soldier murdered a local woman'
A British 'service person' who has been accused of rape near a British Army training camp in Kenya has been arrested. The alleged rape happened last month close to the British Army Training Unit Kenya (Batuk), near the town Nanyuki. The man was arrested after a group of soldiers visited a bar in the area, the BBC reports. On Sunday, a Ministry of Defence spokesman said: 'We can confirm the arrest of a service person in Kenya. 'As the matter is the subject of an ongoing investigation by the Defence Serious Crime Command, we will not comment further.' It comes after after Defence Secretary John Healey went to Kenya in April and met the family of 21-year-old Agnes Wanjiru, who was allegedly murdered by a British soldier. Ms Wanjiru was last seen alive with British troops at a hotel in Nanyuki in March 2012. Two months later, her mutilated naked body was found with stab wounds dumped in a septic tank three months later near an army base. Her family said they had been subject to 'too many empty promises' regarding investigations into her death and that they were 'grateful' for the visit. Mr Healey said the Government would continue to help Ms Wanjiru's family 'secure the justice they deserve', and stressed his 'determination to see a resolution to the still unresolved case'. According to the Sunday Times, a soldier had allegedly confessed to Ms Wanjiru's killing and another soldier reported it to senior officers at the time - but no action was taken. In a report in 2021, the newspaper said a soldier accused of the murder had been named by his comrades. The Army has launched a service inquiry (SI) into allegations of unacceptable behaviour by UK service personnel in Kenya violating sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) policy which was introduced in July 2022. It is believed the aim is to understand the nature of allegations made regarding sexual exploitation and abuse, which includes Army culture and possible contact with sex workers. The SI can make recommendations to ensure that SEA policy is being complied with by UK personnel in Kenya. A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: 'The Defence Secretary recently visited Kenya to highlight our bilateral partnership and the important role of the British military presence - and personnel - in Kenya. 'He also clearly set out the high standards of behaviour we expect of our all our personnel. 'All soldiers who visit or train at Batuk have clear direction about how to behave, on and off duty, must complete mandatory training and attend compulsory briefings on conduct. 'We will have zero tolerance for unacceptable behaviour. 'To ensure the highest possible standards, the Army has launched a comprehensive service inquiry into allegations of unacceptable behaviour by UK Service Personnel in Kenya which would violate MoD and Army policy.'
Telegraph
04-06-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Britain promises Ukraine 100,000 new drones
Britain will supply 100,000 drones to Ukraine by April 2026, as part of a £4.5 billion support plan for Kyiv. The significant delivery pledge represents a tenfold increase on the number of drones given to Ukraine last year. Defence Secretary John Healey will make the announcement at a 50-nation Ukraine Defence Contact Group meeting in Brussels today. The £350 million drone package is part of a broader £4.5 billion military support initiative for Ukraine, the government said. In addition to drones, Britain said it had also already shipped 140,000 artillery shells to Ukraine since January and will spend a further £247 million this year training Ukrainian troops. As part of the Strategic Defence Review, published on Monday, the government announced more than £4bn for autonomous systems and drones for the UK Armed Forces, to help learn the lessons from Ukraine.
