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UK Establishes First Active Space Effects Squadron to Counter Satellite Jamming
defense27 days ago

UK Establishes First Active Space Effects Squadron to Counter Satellite Jamming

The UK Ministry of Defence has announced the creation of No III Space Effects Squadron, a new Royal Air Force unit dedicated to actively defending British satellites. While previous units focused on monitoring threats, this new squadron will use electronic warfare to disrupt, degrade, and deny hostile activities in space. The move responds to increasing concerns over Russian jamming of UK military satellites and follows the US confirmation of deploying weapons in orbit.

via Euronews.com|
#defense#electronic-warfare#royal-air-force
Wes Streeting reports surge in online homophobia since becoming defence secretary
politics1 month ago

Wes Streeting reports surge in online homophobia since becoming defence secretary

UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting disclosed that he has received a significant increase in homophobic abuse since his appointment. He described the volume of online hate as unprecedented in his personal experience, attributing it to public resistance against an openly gay individual leading the armed forces. While mainstream media largely ignored his sexual orientation upon his appointment, Streeting noted that this indifference contrasted sharply with intense online hostility. He framed his role as a chance to challenge persistent stereotypes, despite the harassment. This development follows recent scrutiny of the armed forces' culture, including allegations of sexual misconduct at military colleges.

via BBC|
#lgbtq-rights#military-policy#online-harassment
UK-built drones hit Russian refineries and Wildberries hubs
conflict2 months ago

UK-built drones hit Russian refineries and Wildberries hubs

British-made drones have been deployed to strike military and industrial targets inside mainland Russia for the first time. According to the BBC, these weapons, produced by two separate UK firms, have successfully hit refineries and warehouses belonging to the online retailer Wildberries. The strikes are reported to have caused over £35 billion in economic damage. While UK-manufactured Storm Shadow missiles were previously used in the conflict, this new phase of drone deployment is described as having a more decisive impact. A military source confirmed to the BBC that UK drones were utilized. The UK Ministry of Defence has stated its support for Ukraine is 'unwavering' and that it will provide the equipment necessary for Ukraine to defend itself against Russia's invasion. In April, the MoD announced the supply of tens of thousands of drones, including long-range strike devices, in its largest-ever package. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova had previously acknowledged the use of drones with UK components to attack Russian territory, including a fuel depot in the Rostov Region.

via BBC|
#conflict#drones#russia
UK Naval Drones: Chinese Camera Components Trigger Security Review, No Data Breach Found
world2 months ago

UK Naval Drones: Chinese Camera Components Trigger Security Review, No Data Breach Found

A routine security check found Chinese-made components in Royal Navy K3 Scout drone cameras that transmitted heartbeat signals to a China-based address. The MoD and Kraken conducted an audit and said there is no evidence that sensitive data or military systems were accessed or transmitted outside approved channels; internet connectivity was removed and routine security checks continue. The cameras were supplied by a third-party contractor under Project Beehive, with NDAA-aligned assurances, and the K3 Scouts have been used for surveillance and protection roles, including NATO exercises, with no breach detected.

via Kyiv Post|
#chinese-made-components#heartbeat-communications#mod-investigation
UK Sets Out £300 Billion Defence Overhaul Focused on Drones and Modernisation
politics3 months ago

UK Sets Out £300 Billion Defence Overhaul Focused on Drones and Modernisation

Outgoing Prime Minister Keir Starmer unveiled a four-year plan to lift Britain’s defence budget to about £300 billion, including more than £5 billion for drones and autonomous systems, with a goal of around 3.5% of GDP on defence by 2035. The plan follows internal wrangling, drew criticism from some ministers, and saw Defence Secretary John Healey among those resigning, as the UK moves to modernise its armed forces ahead of a NATO summit.

via Al Jazeera|
#defense-spending#drones#military-modernization
UK defence funding under fire as plan stalls and gaps widen
politics6 months ago

UK defence funding under fire as plan stalls and gaps widen

Critics say complacency on defence funding is harming the UK armed forces as ministers stall on a long-delayed 10-year investment plan amid a £28bn funding shortfall; the Strategic Defence Review highlighted gaps, the army is depleted, and NATO spending targets show Britain lagging behind allies, with Labour pledging to lift spending to 2.5% of GDP next year and toward 3.5% by 2035 amid growing security threats from Russia, Iran, and China.

via BBC|
#defence-spending#funding-shortfall#nato
Ex-NATO chief warns Britain’s security is in peril as defence plan stalls
politics6 months ago

Ex-NATO chief warns Britain’s security is in peril as defence plan stalls

Former NATO secretary-general Lord George Robertson warns Britain's security is 'in peril' and accuses non-military Treasury experts of 'vandalism' as the government delays the 10-year defence investment plan tied to the Strategic Defence Review; with more than £270bn promised, he argues the country is underprepared, underinsured and under threat, and says defence cannot be funded by an expanding welfare budget, while PM Keir Starmer says the plan is on his desk and being finalised.

via BBC|
#defence-spending#george-robertson#national-security
Britain warns it isn’t ready for all-out war, cites defence funding gaps
defense9 months ago

Britain warns it isn’t ready for all-out war, cites defence funding gaps

Britain’s head of the Armed Forces, Sir Richard Knighton, warned the UK is not as prepared as needed for full-scale conflict amid reports of a £28bn funding gap over four years and a delayed defence investment plan. Despite higher spending, ministers face tough trade-offs as the department has a history of budget overruns (earlier reports cited £16.9bn overrun and a £29bn deficit). Knighton declined to discuss confidential discussions with the PM and chancellor, while saying the plan must be published and that “we can’t do everything we want… within the budget.” He signalled limited ability to mobilise the NHS and protect critical infrastructure in wartime, noted the Army could contribute short-term to Ukraine, and stressed more work is needed on domestic resilience. Labour’s spending pledges and NATO pressures add to the backdrop of a strained defense outlook.

via BBC|
#defence-investment-plan#defence-spending#defense
Keir Starmer Commits to Nuclear Defence Amid Election Campaign
politics2 years ago

Keir Starmer Commits to Nuclear Defence Amid Election Campaign

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has stated he would use nuclear weapons if necessary to defend the UK, marking a departure from Jeremy Corbyn's stance against the Trident system. Starmer pledged to increase defence spending and maintain the UK's nuclear deterrent, emphasizing Labour's commitment to national security. Conservative defence secretary Grant Shapps criticized Labour's position, while SNP spokesman Martin Docherty-Hughes condemned the focus on nuclear weapons amid a cost-of-living crisis. Starmer also reaffirmed Labour's support for NATO and announced a slate of ex-military candidates for the upcoming election.

via BBC.com|
#keir-starmer#labour-party#nuclear-weapons