Defence

HMS Spey joined France Flagship. aircraft carrier FS Charles de Gaulle, alongside French Carrier Strike Group, for Exercise La Pérouse in the Indo-Pacific.

HMS Spey joins forces with French carrier Charles de Gaulle - pictures

HMS Spey fired her guns and were involved in several drills while training with the French Carrier Group in the Indo-Pacific, alongside the France flagship FS Charles de Gaulle.

Guns fired from HMS Spey while on op with carrier Charles de Gaulle

Royal Navy frigate HMS Somerset flanking Russian ship Yantar near UK waters, with Portsmouth-based ship HMS Tyne also deployed to keep her eyes on the vessel.

Sailors "proud" to protect UK waters as they fend off Russian spy ship

RFA Proteus monitoring Russian ship Yantar in November 2024. The Russian spy ship was spotted again in the south coast and English Channel, with HMS Tyne and HMS Somerset being deployed to shadow her.

Russian spy ship Yantar incursion "concerning" - Royal Navy deployed

Royal Navy frigate HMS Somerset flanking Russian ship Yantar near UK waters, with Portsmouth-based ship HMS Tyne also deployed to keep her eyes on the vessel.

Russian spy ship seen "loitering" in south coast - Navy deployed

The Ministry of Defence is clamping down on Royal Navy, Army and RAF military secrets from being shared on video game forums such as War Thunder. Pictured is a Eurofighter Typhoon fighter aircraft, after the aircraft's radar system was leaked online.

Classified military secrets leaked on video game forums

Sir Alex Younger KCMG, Former Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) between 2014 and 2020, said Russia believes its at war with the UK while the same can't be said for Britain.

"Russia thinks they're at war with us and we don't", ex-MI6 boss says

Royal Navy pilots are helping to train Japanese forces on how to fly F-35 Lighting fighter jets ahead of the HMS Prince of Wales deployment this Spring.

British pilot trains Japanese forces ahead of HMS Prince of Wales task

HMS Iron Duke has changed her home port from Portsmouth to Plymouth, with the Type 23 frigate previously shadowing Russian ships and training with Nato allies in the Baltic Sea.

HMS Iron Duke changes home port as she's redeployed to Plymouth

Dr Margriet Drent, policy advisor at the counter hybrid unit for the Ministry of Defence in The Netherlands, advised how the Royal Navy and other nations could stop undersea cables being damaged by adversaries.

How the Royal Navy and allies can protect undersea cables from Russia

The number of personnel in the Royal Navy, British Army and RAF is not expected to increase after the strategic defence review is published, national reports say. Budget constraints have been blamed.

Size of armed forces not expected to increase after defence review

British sailors deployed on the Royal navy vessel HMS Spey have joined the French Carrier Strike Group, lead by French aircraft carrier Charles-de-Gaulle, in the Indo-Pacific region for a "high-level" exercise. Pictured is the carrier in the the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Toulon last year.

HMS Spey joins French carrier Charles De Gaulle for "high-level" op

Royal Navy engineers, alongside American and Australian counterparts, have been testing undersea vehicles ahead of Exercise Talisman Sabre - which will involve HMS Prince of Wales. The aim is to bolster sub-sea and seabed warfare capabilities.

Prototype vehicles to protect cables and destroy mines tested

HMS Tamar, deployed in the Indo-Pacific region, has undergone a maintenance period before the arrival of HMS Prince of Wales.

Skilled engineers maintain HMS Tamar before HMS Prince of Wale arrival

Dockyard workers in Portsmouth have voted to strike due to an ongoing contract row between the Ministry of Defence and Serco for tug and other infrastructure services. The News understands redundancy consultations are taking place at the company. Pictured: HMS Prince of Wales leaving Portsmouth Harbour with a tug escort.

Redundancy consultations hit dockyard workers - contract row continues

Captain Will Blackett, Portsmouth native and Commanding Officer of HMS Prince of Wales, is celebrating 100 years of his family serving in the Royal Navy.

HMS Prince of Wales CO celebrates 100 years family service
The Commanding Officer of the Royal Navy flagship is celebrating his family serving in the force for 100 years.
Freddie Webb

This is how HMS Vernon in Portsmouth celebrated Coronation Year, 1953. the News PP4256

29 incredible old photos of Royal Navy's HMS Vernon before it became Gunwharf Qu...

Royal Navy sailors aboard the Portsmouth-based ship HMS Medway cleared turtle nesting sites of dangerous waste on the Caribbean Island of Curacao during patrols of the region.

Charitable sailors support rare turtles during deployment patrols

The number of sailors in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary is slowly declining year on year, with the force’s deterioration having ramifications for the Royal Navy. Pictured: RFA personnel replenishing HMS Prince of Wales.

"Depressing" slow decline in Royal Fleet Auxiliary sailors revealed

British troops have been deployed to Japan in the wake of the arrival of HMS Prince of Wales, the Royal Navy flagship.

British troops deployed to Japan in wake of HMS Prince of Wales

The first operational movement for HMS Prince of Wales has been announced in the Portsmouth King’s Harbour Master shipping movements.

First HMS Prince of Wales movement of the year announced - when

HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark are due to be sold to another country after officially being cut from the Royal Navy fleet last year.

Confirmed: "Unseaworthy" HMS Albion and Bulwark to be sold

Mariette Hughes, Service Complaints Ombudsman for the Armed Forces, confirmed that the number of grievances within Royal Navy, Army and RAF has risen again for the third year in a row.

"Unacceptable" harassment and other complaints rising in armed forces

A date has been announced for the annual HMS Collingwood Open Day, where thousands of people will flock to see the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity Field Gun competition and other attractions.

Beloved HMS Collingwood Open Day date announced - when

Computer generated image (CGI) issued by BAE Systems of the latest concept model of the UK's next generation combat aircraft, the Tempest. Ministers have been warned to keep a tight grip on the budget of the £12 billion Tempest jet fighter programme after problems with other international collaborations. The plane, due to enter service in 2035, is being developed with Italy and Japan under the global combat air programme (GCAP).

RAF Tempest fighter jet must stop rising costs and delays, MP

HMS Prince of Wales’ deployment to the Indo-Pacific region will “assert the rule of law” over China, a defence minister has said. The Royal Navy flagship will carry out extensive operations in the region.

HMS Prince of Wales deployment to "assert rule of law" over China

The HMS Oardacious Royal Navy team have been delayed in returning home as they continue to complete the “World’s Toughest Row”. From left: Lieutenant Commander Ali Aindow and Petty Officer Aaby Aldridge.

Sailors hit by harsh weather while completing "World's Toughest Row"
Determined sailors completing the “World’s Toughest Row” have suffered a setback with harsh weather delaying their return home.
Freddie Webb

Minister of the Armed Forces, Luke Pollard MP, promised to support the Royal Fleet Auxiliary more during a tour of RFA Proteus in Portsmouth. Sailors had previously been “harassed” into returning from annual leave early, the Nautilus International union said. Pictured is the politician on the helipad.

Sailors "harassed" into returning from leave early - MP responds

The Type 32 warship programme has stalled, with officials from the Strategic Defence Review looking over the project. Few details have been officially released, with the minister for defence procurement, Maria Eagle, responding to parliamentary written questions.

Mysterious new Type 32 warship project stalls - designs under review

Commanding Officer, Captain Tim Davey, and AB(AWT) Rosie Coman, 16, cutting the cake to celebrate 85 years of HMS Collingwood.

HMS Collingwood celebrates 85th birthday - pictures

Luke Pollard MP has praised the “cutting-edge” capabilities of RFA Proteus during a tour of the ship in Portsmouth. Pictured- Fleet Commander (right) welcomes Minister of the Armed Forces, Luke Pollard MP (left) onboard RFA Proteus.

"Cutting-edge" RFA Proteus essential for protecting UK - MP

Crucial talks have been held regarding the deployment of HMS Prince of Wales to Australia and the Indo-Pacific region this Spring.

Crucial HMS Prince of Wales Indo-Pacific deployment meeting held

HMS Lancaster seized several stashes of illegal narcotics while conducting patrols in the Middle East and Gulf of Oman, but this garnered social media criticism from some.

HMS Lancaster seizes drugs in Middle East but sparks social media row

Minister of the Armed Forces, Luke Pollard MP, promised to support the Royal Fleet Auxiliary more during a tour of RFA Proteus in Portsmouth. Pictured is the politician on the helipad.

"Substantial" pay deal will restore Royal Fleet Auxiliary faith, MP

A new pay deal struck for Royal Fleet Auxiliary sailors has been hailed as a success, but more work needs to be done to improve the force. Pictured: Royal Fleet Auxiliary staff, who are members of the Nautilus International Union, staged a demonstration near the military base on Whale Island.

Critical new Royal Fleet Auxiliary pay deal hailed but hurdles remain

Dr Keiron Roberts

City scientist uncovers the impact of plastic waste on Antarctica

A memorial for the West Africa Squadron, based in Portsmouth, is yet to find a home despite being built and fully funded. Campaigner Colin Kemp is trying to find a location.

West Africa Squadron Slavery freedom memorial left without a home

Royal Fleet Auxiliary sailors - who support the Royal Navy - have accepted a fresh pay offer from the MoD after months of negotiations. Pictured are members of the RMT and Nautilus International unions on strike in Portsmouth over pay and conditions on September 3. From L: Martyn Gray, Olly Longden, Andy Rawlinson and Mark Brennan, striking in Wharf Road near Whale Island, Portsmouth.

Triumphant Royal Fleet Auxiliary sailors accept new pay offer

Royal Navy's HMS Bronington: Efforts to save ship held up

An autonomous surface vessel is being tested by the Royal Navy in the vicinity of Hayling Bay this month.

Royal Navy autonomous and un-crewed ship trials to take place - where

Shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge, Conservative, made a blunder during a parliamentary question, where he referred to HMS Devonshire instead of HMS Northumberland. HMS Devonshire was a fictional ship sunk during the James Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies, starring Pierce Brosnan.

Bizarre blunder - politician asks about fictional ship from James Bond

British and American pilots tested themselves by flying F-35 fighter jets during a naval combat trial over Los Angeles, California.

F-35 fighter jets texted to limits during US naval air combat trial

Dockyard workers in Portsmouth have voted to strike due to an ongoing contract row between the Ministry of Defence and Serco for tug and other infrastructure services. Pictured: HMS Prince of Wales leaving Portsmouth Harbour with a tug escort.

Worried dockyard workers vote to strike amid MoD Serco contract row

Pictured: Lyndsey Howell outside Portsmouth Crown Court. She was found to have defrauded the Hornet Sailing Club in Gosport out of £68k to feed a gambling and cocaine addiction. The club organises sailing trips and other activities for Royal Navy veterans.

Woman addicted to gambling defrauds historic sailing club of £68k

Government ministers have been challenged over capability gaps in the Royal Navy, Army and RAF - they promise it will be fixed. Pictured: Liberal Democrat MP Helen Maguire and Labour MP Luke Pollard.

Ministers promise to fill defence capability gaps amid Nato reaction

The UK will lead an operation to monitor the Russian shadow fleet after undersea cables were destroyed in the Baltic Sea. Pictured is Portsmouth-based frigate HMS Iron Duke monitoring RFS Golovko in the English Channel.

UK to lead operation to stalk aggressive Russian shadow fleet

Major Ministry of Defence projects for the Royal Navy, Army and RAF projects are currently in "disarray", with them being overbudget and lasting too long, the head of the defence select committee has said.

Major military projects "in disarray" - delayed and overbudget

HMS Ark Royal being towed by tugs through the narrows, as she leaves Portsmouth Naval Base for Rosyth in 1999. Picture: Mike Scaddan 992149-2

30 stunning photos of former navy flagship HMS Ark Royal

Royal Navy veteran Robert Jones, who served during the D-Day landings on June 6, 1944, has celebrated his 100th birthday on Hayling Island.

Royal Navy veteran who served on D-Day celebrates 100th birthday

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has spent millions of pounds on taxis and chauffeurs to transport troops between locations. It has been defended by the government, but campaigners say it's a "pointless waste" of money.

Millions spent on taxis and drivers for soldiers amid Army cuts

Minister for the Armed Forces Luke Pollard MP has announced that 2,600 UK personnel will take part in Nato’s Exercise Steadfast Dart to support its allies and deter Russian aggression.

Hundreds of troops to join Nato exercise in response to Russia

A truck mounted, Radio Frequency Directed Energy Weapon (RFDEW) development system that can detect, track and engage a range of threats across land, air and sea. British soldiers have successful trialled for the first time the game-changing weapon that can take down a swarm of drones using radio waves for less than the cost of a pack of mince pies.

Radio wave weapon that costs 10p to fire trialled to destroy drones

Boyd Salmon, one of the last surviving Royal Navy bomb disposal specialists from the Second World War, has died at the age of 100.

Second World War bomb disposal veteran dies aged 100

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has successfully trialled an atomic clock which could be used on military vehicles and warships - alongside other uses for the Royal Navy, Army and RAF. Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry, Maria Eagle described the technology as ground-breaking.

Futuristic atomic clock trialled for military operations

HMS Somerset (foreground) maintaining watch on Russian corvette RFS Soobrazitelny. Nearly 200 Royal Navy sailors were recalled to their ship on Christmas Day to deploy to shadow Russian warships for 500 miles in the North Sea and through the English Channel.

Russian warships sailing through English Channel shadowed by Navy

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