Britain’s military dependence on US ‘no longer tenable’, says former Nato chief George Robertson says diplomatic tone from White House is at ‘historic low’ and two allies are likely to keep diverging The Guardian - UK · Apr 22
UK and France drive outline Hormuz security plans at London talks The UK is set to host military planners from more than 30 countries for two days of talks beginning today, Wednesday, as momentum builds behind a UK–France-led mission aimed at protecting navigation in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. Radio France Internationale · Apr 22
Sky-High Standoff: 6 Nations Scramble Jets as Russian 'Nuclear' Bombers Go Dark Over the Baltic On 20 April, six NATO air forces scrambled to intercept two Russian Tu-22M3 bombers and their 10 fighter escorts, which were flying without transponders over the Baltic region. International Business Times UK · Apr 22
Nato fighter jets scrambled to intercept Russian military aircraft over Baltic Sea Multiple aircraft were all tasked with monitoring the Russian formation The Independent UK · Apr 21
EU Moves To Diversify Jet Fuel Supply As Iran Conflict Disrupts Global Flows Mounting supply risks are forcing Europe to rethink aviation fuel strategy ahead of peak summer travel demand. International Business Times · Apr 20
Bulgaria's Kremlin-friendly ex-president wins sweeping election victory Bulgarian former president Rumen Radev, an EU critic who has called for renewing ties with Russia, has won an absolute majority in parliamentary elections that could spell an end to the country's half-decade of political uncertainty but also potentially push the EU and NATO member state closer to Moscow. Radio France Internationale · Apr 20
Extension of NATO fuel network gains momentum as Macron visits Poland Plans to extend a vast Cold War-era pipeline eastwards in order to bolster NATO’s fuel resilience are set to top the agenda at defence cooperation talks between French President Emmanuel Macron and Polish leader Donald Tusk in Gdansk on Monday. Radio France Internationale · Apr 20
Keir Starmer thanks submariners as they return from longest patrol The Prime Minister visited the Faslane naval base on the Clyde. Evening Standard · Apr 19
Who Is Thiago Avila? Greta Thunberg's Gaza Flotilla Hit By Sexual Misconduct Claims Against Senior Leader Greta Thunberg's latest Gaza flotilla has been hit by unproven sexual misconduct allegations against senior organiser Thiago Ávila, exposing rifts and questions over the movement's ethics. Latin Times · Apr 19
MoD has lost track of veterans on recall list, says defence adviser Exclusive: George Robertson calls on officials to identify the ‘fit and willing’ in UK’s 95,000-strong strategic reserve The Guardian - UK · Apr 19
Bluetooth tracker hidden in a postcard and mailed to a warship exposed its location — $5 gadget put a $585 million Dutch ship at risk for 24 hours A Dutch journalist mailed a postcard to a Dutch Navy ship containing a hidden Bluetooth tracker, allowing them to track its route for 24 hours before it was found and disabled. Tom’s Hardware · Apr 18
10 Photos of Thiago Avila: Greta Thunberg's Gaza Flotilla Hit By Sexual Misconduct Claims Against Senior Leader Greta Thunberg's latest Gaza flotilla has been hit by unproven sexual misconduct allegations against senior organiser Thiago Ávila, exposing rifts and questions over the movement's ethics. International Business Times UK · Apr 18
UK to make ‘wide-ranging military contribution’ to Hormuz mission, says diplomat The commitment by Sir Christian Turner comes amid long-standing concerns over the state of the nation’s armed forces. Evening Standard · Apr 17
U.S. to Reportedly Delay Weapons Deliveries to Europe as Iran War Strains Military Stockpiles The United States has reportedly warned some European allies that previously contracted weapons deliveries may be delayed as the war with Iran continues to drain American stockpiles. International Business Times · Apr 17
The Guardian - UK · Apr 17 Defence spending should not be a choice of welfare or warfare Letters: Readers on the purpose of Nato and the merits of increasing military spending in straitened times
Radio France Internationale · Apr 17 EU backs Morocco autonomy plan for Western Sahara and eyes new partnership The European Union has reaffirmed its support for Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara and is pushing for a new strategic partnership with Rabat to be finalised by the end of the year.
The Independent UK · Apr 17 Kosovo to approve troop contribution for Gaza force The Tiny Balkan nation of Kosovo says it wants to commit dozens of its security troops to an international force for Gaza because its appreciates what NATO-led peacekeepers have done for its own security since the 1998-99 war with Serbia
The Independent UK · Apr 16 The UK is losing a race against time to reach war footing THE INDEPENDENT VIEW: Editorial: Our unreadiness for battle cannot be blamed on the present government, but even so, the prime minister and chancellor must be prepared to spend more to bring the country up to speed
Evening Standard · Apr 16 Chancellor would ‘prefer not’ to hike tax again, amid calls for defence cash The focus should be on how money is spent rather than on the ‘quantum’ of funding, Rachel Reeves said.
The Guardian - AU · Apr 16 Has Marles bowed to Trump’s wishes on defence spending? The figures are as clear as mud The defence minister insists that increases in spending did not happen because of thinktanks, retired generals ‘or washed-up bureaucrats’
The Guardian - UK · Apr 15 Boosting military spending by slashing welfare is not the answer, senior Labour figures warn Reeves MPs and peers say pitting defence and welfare against each other risks losing public support for increased spending on the military
The Guardian - UK · Apr 15 Starmer rejects accusation Labour is ‘complacent’ on defence funding PM responds to warnings by former Nato chief George Robertson by saying defence spending is increasing rapidly
Evening Standard · Apr 15 Starmer says he disagrees with former Nato chief’s ‘corrosive complacency’ claim Lord George Robertson claimed the UK is underprepared for war and ministers are unwilling to make the necessary investment.
Evening Standard · Apr 15 RAF fighter jets scrambled over fears 'Russian bomber' heading towards UK The unidentified Russian plane stayed outside of British airspace and did not need to be intercepted by the two Typhoons which were deployed
The Guardian - UK · Apr 15 Balancing UK’s welfare and defence spending ‘not zero-sum game’, minister says Treasury minister James Murray hits back at George Robertson’s criticism over military budget