British forces intercept Russian shadow fleet in Channel Politics British armed forces have intercepted a Russian shadow fleet oil tanker in the English Channel during the early hours of Sunday morning, the prime minister has said. In an operation lasting six hours, Royal Marine Commandos, alongside specialist officers from the National Crime Agency, intercepted the oil tanker in the Channel. The operation marks the [...]
London-listed defence contractors shed light on impact of wartime economy on City firms Markets Two major London-listed defence companies shed fresh light on the sector’s performance during the current bout of geopolitical turmoil on Wednesday, offering insight into the reach of the war time economy into the City. FTSE 100 constituent Babcock International made it onto the top-tier share index’s leaderboard after it unveiled plans to return £200m to [...]
Cold wind of reality exposes Britain’s myths…and mistakes Politics Crises reveal, and the illuminating effects of the latest Middle East war should leave us shuddering and ashamed. The nature of Keir Starmer’s government has been revealed; obsessing over the finer points of international law when our principal ally asked for our help. Starmer’s position has been exposed, too, with briefings suggesting he was more [...]
Britain secures £10bn warship deal with Norway August 31, 2025 The UK has agreed a £10bn deal to supply Norway with at least five new warships, in what both governments are hailing as a landmark for defence cooperation, but which analysts say also underscores rising geopolitical tensions and the pressure on NATO allies to increase spending. Under the agreement, Britain will deliver ‘type 26’ frigates [...]
On this day: the Royal Navy drinks its last daily rum ration July 31, 2025 On this day in 1970, sailors’ daily rum ration – a tradition dating back to the glory days of the Royal Navy – was abolished, an occasion now known as Black Tot Day, writes Eliot Wilson On this date, 31 July, 55 years ago, at 11am, the Royal Navy performed one of its cherished traditions [...]
Spring Statement 2025: £2.2bn defence and weapons boost, Reeves to unveil March 25, 2025 Rachel Reeves is set to unveil a £2.2bn boost for the UK’s defence spending at the Spring Statement, including cash to kit out Royal Navy ships with laser weapons. The Chancellor vowed to deliver “security and national renewal” but warned “we have to move quickly in a changing world” amid rising uncertainty over future European [...]
Defence: Building submarines is ‘blueprint’ for UK growth, Starmer says March 20, 2025 Building new submarines in Barrow-in-Furness is a “blueprint” for how increasing defence spending can boost prosperity across the UK, the Prime Minister has said. Sir Keir Starmer made the comments ahead of a visit to the town at the heart of Britain’s submarine-building industry. Sir Keir is expected to lay the keel for the next [...]
BAE Systems wins £285m Royal Navy deal as shares continue recovery January 28, 2025 Defence giant BAE Systems has won a Royal Navy contract worth almost £300m which will support more than 200 UK jobs. The London-listed group has been hired to maintain and modernise combat management systems (CMS) on Royal Navy vessels. They include Type 23 frigates, Type 45 destroyers, Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers and Type 26 [...]
Cohort: Defence firm has record revenue and bumper order book amid ‘persistent’ tensions July 17, 2024 Defence holding group Cohort pointed to the invasion of Ukraine and "persistent" tensions in the Aisa-Pacific region as being the core drivers of the record revenue and bumper profit it posted in its preliminary results.
Rolls-Royce submarines arm to create 200 UK jobs to meet Royal Navy needs March 4, 2024 Rolls-Royce has announced plans to create over 200 UK jobs in its submarine division to meet a growth in demand from the Royal Navy.