A team of British military and intelligence officers last week undertook a secret reconnaissance mission to Libya to plan RAF airstrikes against Isis militants in the strife-torn north African state. Six RAF officers flew to an airbase in eastern Libya, controlled by pro-western militia forces, along with a group of MI6 operatives, diplomats from the … Read more Britain plots bombing of Isis in Libya
The RAF is to set up an elite Top Gun-style squadron to hone the dogfighting skills of its fighter pilots. After two decades of mainly carrying out bombing missions against insurgents in Iraq and Afghanistan, commanders have decided pilots need to boost their aerial combat skills to counter any potential threat from new Russian fighters that … Read more RAF to launch Top Gun unit
Britain’s Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn has sparked a row within the Labour Party by suggesting the UK could retain the Trident submarine fleet – but without nuclear warheads. Mr Corbyn has said there ere “options” for maintaining defence jobs while at the same time showing the UK was willing to take a lead in nuclear … Read more Casting Doubt on Jeremy Corbyn’s non-nuclear Trident Suggestions
Royal Artillery has joined the ground war against Isis by directing strikes against the terror group in Iraq as it emerges that a forward operating base has been built for the SAS and other troops. British army personnel played a key role in the recent battle to recapture Ramadi, identifying Isis targets and directing devastating … Read more Key British role in Iraqi victory
Sophisticated drone-jamming technology is to be deployed at major public and sporting events in the UK following a successful trial at last month’s Remembrance Sunday parade. In the first example of such technology being used to police a public event in the UK, a radar device was installed on the roof of New Scotland Yard, … Read more Drone jammers to guard top events
Britain’s military may be unable to cope with the weaponry of foreign powers and even terrorist groups within 20 years, a report by the Ministry of Defence (has warned. The study, written by the MoD’s Development, Concepts and Doctrine Centre, an internal think tank based at Shrivenham, Oxfordshire, admits that “our key [weapons] systems may … Read more Ministry of Defence warns Enemies will outgun UK within 20 years
Navy top brass failed to act on warnings of Iranian aggression, leaving British sailors vulnerable to a surprise attack that resulted in 15 of them being taken hostage in Tehran, according to a secret report. The incident in March 2007 was described at the time as a “national embarrassment” after sailors from HMS Cornwall were paraded … Read more Royal Navy ignored warning of Iranian attack
The RAF is planning to spend millions of pounds on a new fleet of executive jets dedicated to flying the royal family, government ministers and military top brass on trips overseas. Overlooked in last week’s defence review is a controversial plan to replace four BAe 146 jets that make up the so-called “royal flight”, which is … Read more Royals fly free of cuts to get new jets
Britain’s Ministry of Defence is understood to have dropped a £2bn plan to buy a fleet of US-made submarine-hunting jets for the Royal Air Force. The proposed purchase of up to nine P-8 Poseidon aircraft was expected to be the centrepiece of the government’s forthcoming defence review, but sources say the project has been shelved … Read more Ministry of Defence sinks £2bn sub-hunter jet deal
British and Chinese security engaged in a tense stand-off during the state visit of President Xi Jinping after a Beijing-based “spy” tried to get too close to the Queen. The Chinese official was intercepted by members of the diplomatic protection squad when he posed as an official interpreter, according to documents circulating in Whitehall. British officials … Read more Chinese ‘spy’ tried to get into Queen’s coach