Three women have become the first females to serve in the Royal Navy Submarine Service: they are pioneering lieutenants Maxine Stiles, Alex Olsson and Penny Thackray, reports UK defense news.
UK Defense Secretary Philip Hammond has been talking about why the UK and US must remain partners of choice in defense. This week Mr Hammond gave a speech at the Heritage Foundation in Washington DC about the special relationship that exists between the UK and the US, describing the UK as the most capable and interoperable ally.
Gibraltar top elected officials this week went on a lobbying tour in the United States where they met government officials, visited Capitol Hill, talked trade and strongly defended the British Overseas Territory freedom, self determination and sovereignty.
The UK and France have agreed to strengthen defense co-operation following a summit at RAF Brize Norton on Friday. A communiqué signed by UK Prime Minister David Cameron and French President Francois Hollande sets out plans for closer ties between the two countries.
The UK Defence Secretary has announced £79 million of investment in the next generation of Royal Navy submarines. The Successor submarines, which will carry the UK’s strategic nuclear deterrent will be the largest and most advanced boats operated by the Navy and their design and construction will be the most technologically complex in the history of the UK.
Britain's Ministry has plans to commission three new ocean-going offshore patrol vessels for the Royal Navy. The new ships will be built by BAE Systems at their shipyards on the Clyde in a deal that will sustain jobs in the UK’s warship-building industry, and will play a key role in counter-terrorism, counter-piracy and anti-smuggling operations.
A Scotland analysis paper on Defense, published on Tuesday, highlights the extent to which an independent Scotland would no longer benefit from the £34 billion annual UK defense budget, one of the largest in the world.
British MPs have rejected possible UK military action against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government to deter the use of chemical weapons. A government motion was defeated by 285 to 272, a majority of 13 votes.
In a brief message Gilbert House, seat of the Falkland Islands Legislative Assembly made public its condolences to the family and friends of Admiral Sir Sandy Woodward who was commander of the carrier force sent to recover the Falklands invaded and occupied by Argentine forces.
Defence Secretary Philip Hammond has become the second cabinet minister to say he would vote for Britain to leave the EU if a referendum were held now. But, like education secretary Michael Gove, he said David Cameron must be given a chance to bring powers back from Brussels before deciding.