Tag: Ministry of Defence

UK Defence Ministry Urged to Review Outsourcing as Contractors Accused of Dropping Standards for Profit

British lawmakers have urged the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to review its practice of outsourcing services amid allegations that some contractors have dropped standards to boost profits. In its latest report, the Defence Committee of the House of Commons said outsourcing appeared to be the MoD’s default position, with little consideration given to providing services…


UK Armed Forces May Lack ‘Battle-Winning Capabilities’: Lawmakers

Britain’s armed forces may lack the “modern battle-winning capabilities” they need to meet the demands of future warfare, a Parliamentary committee has warned. In its latest report published on May 11, the Public Accounts Committee of the House of Commons said the UK Ministry of Defence’s (MoD) equipment plan faces “serious questions” in view of…


Foreign Office Investigates Reports of Briton Being Detained by Russia

The Foreign Office is investigating reports that a British national has been detained by Russia after a video emerged showing a man in camouflage clothes being questioned. In the video, reportedly shown on Russian television, the man appears to give his name as Andrew Hill. He speaks with an English accent, has his arm in…


Ukraine Can Hold out as Long as West Keeps Supplying Weapons: Ex-UK Intelligence Chief

Ukraine may be able to withstand the Russian invasion for “as long as we can supply them” with weaponry and “for as long as their morale holds up,” the former head of the UK’s Defence Intelligence has said. Air Marshal Philip Osborn said on March 20 that the Ukrainians have been “amazing” in their resistance…


Ukraine Can Hold Out as Long as West Keeps Supplying Weapons: Former UK Intelligence Chief

Ukraine may be able to withstand the Russian invasion for “as long as we can supply them” with weaponry and “for as long as their morale holds up,” the former head of the UK’s Defence Intelligence has said. Air Marshal Philip Osborn said on March 20 that the Ukrainians have been “amazing” in their resistance…


UK’s Ministry of Defence Says Russia Confirmed Use of ‘Vacuum Bombs’ During Ukraine Invasion

The UK’s Ministry of Defence on March 9 claimed that Russia has admitted to using a thermobaric weapon system or “vacuum bombs” during its invasion of Ukraine. In a Twitter post, the ministry said that the “Russian [Ministry of Defence] has confirmed the use of the TOS-1A weapon system in Ukraine. The TOS-1A uses thermobaric rockets, creating…


Russia Confirmed Use of ‘Vacuum Bombs’ in Ukraine: UK

The UK’s Ministry of Defence on March 9 claimed that Russia has admitted to using a thermobaric weapon system or “vacuum bombs” during its invasion of Ukraine. In a Twitter post, the ministry said that the “Russian [Ministry of Defence] has confirmed the use of the TOS-1A weapon system in Ukraine. The TOS-1A uses thermobaric rockets, creating…


UK Defence Ministry Spends Twice as Much on Land as on Nuclear Deterrent: Report

Britain’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) spends twice as much on its estate as it does on the UK’s nuclear deterrent, a parliamentary committee revealed in its latest report, in which it slammed the ministry’s “disastrous lack of estate strategy.” In 2019–20, the MoD spent £4.6 billion ($6.3 billion) on the UK’s “defence estate,” around twice…


UK Military to Trial Lasers in ‘Novel Weapons Programme’

Britain’s armed forces will trial laser and radio frequency weapons as part of a “Novel Weapons Programme,” the Ministry of Defence (MOD) said on Tuesday. The MOD said it had awarded three contracts worth around £72.5 million ($100 million) to UK industry to produce advanced laser and radio frequency demonstrators as part of its “Novel…


No Plans to Move UK Nuclear Subs Over Scottish Independence: MoD

The government has said there are “no plans” to move the UK nuclear deterrent, after reports of secret contingency plans for the submarines in the event of Scottish independence. The UK’s nuclear submarines are housed at Royal Navy bases in Coulport and Faslane on the west coast of Scotland, but “senior officials” have told the…