All articles tagged with #defence
The European Union approved a €6.1 billion defence envelope for Ukraine as part of its €90 billion loan programme to buy air and missile defence systems, missiles, ammunition and radars from European firms as Russia intensifies attacks, ahead of winter and a Coalition of the Willing meeting in Kyiv.
A US Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists report argues Pakistan's nuclear weapons did not deter India’s 2025 strikes during Operation Sindoor, highlighting a shift toward conventional military power, increased defence spending, and a diminished role for nuclear deterrence in Pakistan’s security narrative. The piece questions the effectiveness of full-spectrum deterrence, notes debates over nuclear command and control as the crisis escalated, and emphasizes the importance of diplomacy in achieving a ceasefire amid fears of miscalculation.
Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye signed a trilateral defence pact in Mecca, saying an armed attack on any member would be treated as an attack on all. The agreement, reached after a year of negotiations, deepens security cooperation amid regional tensions from Iran-linked actions and Houthi strikes, with Erdoğan, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif leading the signing. The arrangement builds on decades of military ties, including training, naval exchanges and drone deals, and raises questions about the resilience of the US security umbrella in the region.
Ukraine’s former top commander Valerii Zaluzhnyi, now Ukraine’s ambassador to the UK, says Kyiv will never join NATO, arguing Ukraine cannot meet the alliance’s military standards. The piece notes July frontlines were largely static with minimal Russian gains, ongoing Ukrainian strikes deep into Russia and occupied territory, a leadership shake-up including the dismissal of Stefanishyna as ambassador to the US, and Kyiv’s push for more Patriot air defense missiles amid continued fighting and drone incidents in Crimea and elsewhere.
A parliamentary Defence Committee report says the MoD's management of the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) was a 'foreseeable' systemic failure, driven by inappropriate tools (Excel), weak operating procedures, insufficient training and an overreliance on secrecy that undermined accountability. The breach exposed personal data of more than 18,500 ARAP applicants, stemming from a spreadsheet shared with a trusted third party, and has prompted reforms as ARAP closes in 2025, with ongoing scrutiny of UK Special Forces involvement and governance of the scheme.
John Healey, a long-time Labour MP and former defence secretary who quit last month over a criticised defence investment plan, has been appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer by Prime Minister Andy Burnham, replacing Rachel Reeves. The move makes him responsible for funding across all government departments and signals alignment with Burnham’s priorities on reindustrialisation, cost-of-living relief, and growth. Healey is known as a steady, principled figure with deep Treasury and housing experience, and he has previously pressed for higher defence spending and Ukraine support.
Britain's RAF has launched an unmanned collaborative combat aircraft programme, StormFighter, backed by GBP300 million in the Defence Investment Plan to become Europe’s first sixth‑generation air force, with guardian angel and attack dog drones set to operate alongside Typhoon, F-35 and Tempest as BAE Systems and Boeing are among early bidders.
Ukraine’s defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov resigns as part of President Zelensky's cabinet reshuffle, highlighting the expansion of drone warfare, drone production, Starlink connectivity for troops, and sweeping army reforms; reports suggest interior minister Igor Klymenko could replace him.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Jakarta for a three-day visit (July 6–8) to reinforce the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Indonesia, receiving a ceremonial welcome with Indonesian Air Force fighter jets escorting his plane. He will meet President Prabowo Subianto, join a Prambanan Temple visit, and advance defence and maritime ties under MAHASAGAR, while exploring critical minerals cooperation and expanding trade (Indonesia’s bilateral trade with India reached about $24.78 billion in 2025–26) and Indian investment across sectors as part of India's Act East policy.
Conservative Kemi Badenoch accuses Labour leader Keir Starmer of leaving a £5bn shortfall in his defence investment plan for Burnham to fix, as the plan promises £15bn in defence spending by 2030 but is funded by £10.3bn in savings with a £4.7bn gap to be resolved in the autumn Budget; Starmer defends the plan, Burnham is widely expected to become chancellor, and Downing Street indicates further cuts to other departments and transport projects may be used to cover the gap.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to disclose a long-delayed Defence Investment Plan that commits billions to modernise the armed forces, including a £5bn boost for drones and autonomous weapons, plans for six hybrid warships, autonomous RAF capabilities, and a major drone-testing centre, as Whitehall negotiates funding ahead of a Nato summit.
Real Madrid are reportedly eyeing Borussia Dortmund defender Nico Schlotterbeck to bolster their back line this summer. Mourinho is said to rate the left-footed centre-back for his ball progression, aerial threat and set-piece contribution, with a €50 million release clause presenting a relatively affordable option. The player's salary—around €10 million base, potentially up to €14 million with bonuses—would fit Madrid's wage structure, making Schlotterbeck a standout candidate amid the club's ongoing rebuild.
Britain and Japan agreed to accelerate the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) as the centerpiece of a broader technology and security partnership, with plans to launch the next phase and sign an international contract by month-end. The collaboration links BAE Systems, Leonardo and a Japanese entity backed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to develop a next-generation fighter, while the wider accord covers AI, space, quantum computing and cybersecurity, plus industrial cooperation and multi-billion-pound investments in infrastructure, wind power and manufacturing, aiming to create tens of thousands of jobs.
Former defence secretary John Healey privately urged the UK to join the Defence, Security and Resilience Bank (DSRB) to fund higher defence spending; the Treasury, including the chancellor, was reportedly reluctant, exploring alternatives such as a Multi-Lateral Defence Mechanism and talks with Poland. The DSRB—led by Canada and set to launch at a Nato summit—would require roughly £870m upfront from member countries. Canadian PM Mark Carney has been pushing the idea, while ministers have been mulling it for months with the chancellor reportedly unwilling to pay.
Over two days Russia launched about 600 drones and 90 missiles at Ukraine in a campaign costing roughly $411 million; one of the two Oreshnik hypersonic missiles reportedly fell short into Russian-held territory near Adviivka, marking a reliability setback for Moscow’s Mach-10 system, which has now seen four missiles fired with a 25% failure rate. The strikes damaged Kyiv landmarks and caused civilian casualties (four killed, about 100 injured), underscoring the high cost and uncertain effectiveness of Moscow’s latest weapon.