Ministry of Defence

XLUUV as been unveiled during a naming ceremony at HMNB Devonport. The un-crewed vessel will be called XV Excalibur.

Huge "exciting" new autonomous submarine unveiled by Royal Navy

Gen Sir Gwyn Jenkins KCB OBE RM has been appointed as the new First Sea Lord of the Royal Navy. He has taken up the role after his predecessor, Admiral Sir Ben Key, was asked to step down.

Decorated Royal Marines General named new First Sea Lord

Lieutenant Commander Martyn Mayger, previously the Commanding Officer of Portsmouth-based patrol vessel HMS Tyne, has been removed from his post following allegations of "unacceptable sexual behaviour”.

Commanding Officer removed - alleged "unacceptable sexual behaviour"

HMS Bristol returning from the Falkland Islands, September 1982.

Glorious pictures of Falklands War ship HMS Bristol over the years

Bold targets have been set to build weapons and capabilities for the Royal Navy, Army and RAF at a faster rate.

Ambitious targets set to build ships, tanks and weapons faster

The Commander of Portsmouth Naval Base, Commodore Marcel Rosenberg, attended a crucial meeting with city MPs and bosses of defence firms to discuss how the sector can boost the Portsmouth economy.

"Crucial" meeting held with Portsmouth Naval Base commander and MPs

The former head of the Royal Navy, Admiral Sir Benjamin Key, stepped back amid claims of ‘affair with subordinate’ it has been alleged

Head of Royal Navy steps back amid ‘affair with subordinate’ claims

HMS Albion, alongside fellow Albion-class landing platform HMS Bulwark, are most likely being sold to Brazil after a “statement of intent” was signed between the UK and South American nation.

"Statement of intent" signed to sell HMS Albion and Bulwark to Brazil

A "major milestone" has been completed on HMS Active, with the Type 31 ship having her flight deck structure completed.

"Major milestone" on new Type 31 ship - flight deck structure complete

The government has confirmed when HMS Dreadnought is due to enter the Royal Navy fleet. Picture: A computer generated graphic of HMS Dreadnought, a new nuclear submarine being built for the Royal Navy.

New nuclear submarine HMS Dreadnought construction "remains on track"

A Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) shipbuilding project is expected to start this year, with construction moving ever closer. The hope is these vessels will support the Royal Navy and their aircraft carriers - HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Queen Elizabeth. Pictured: RFA Fort Victoria.

Building of new ships to support Royal Navy to start soon - when

A new office has been set up to oversea the development of new technologies for the Royal Navy, with personnel using the Portsmouth ship XV Patrick Blackett as a testbed for new platforms.

Cutting-edge new Navy team forms up to test new weapons and technology

Minister for defence procurement, Maria Eagle, confirmed that the project to build Type 32 warships is still in the concept phase. The focus has shifted to the continued building of Type 31 and Type 26 ships for the Royal Navy.

Mysterious new Type 32 warship project continues to stall

RAF fighter aircraft carried out airstrikes on a Houthi drone manufacturing facility in Yemen, working alongside US forces to do so.

Air strikes destroy Houthi drone facility to stop "persistent threat"

Ambitious aims to reduce the time it takes to build ships, submarines and planes.

"Powerful" aims to rapidly cut timescales to build ships and planes

Admiral Sir Tony Radakin KCB ADC, Chief of Defence Staff, outlined the current recruitment and retention figures in the Royal Navy, Army and RAF.

Reviving Royal Navy sees more join force but others struggling

Resurging levels of recruitment are seeing more people sign up to the Royal Navy - but other armed forces are struggling.

Freddie Webb

Southwick Revival is due to return this year and two Spitfires are due to conduct a flypast over the Hampshire village.

Spitfires due to fly over village during 1940s revival weekend - when

Type 31 frigates being built in Scotland are due to call Portsmouth their home once they are officially part of the Royal Navy fleet. Pictured: HMS Venturer in 2024.

New Type 31 warships to be based in Portsmouth

Captain Will Blackett RN, Commanding Officer of HMS Prince of Wales, praised the upgrades announced for Portsmouth Naval Base. He said they would allow him and others to do their jobs better. Infrastructure upgrades were announced by the government during the Chancellor's Spring Statement.

HNMB Portsmouth upgrades hailed by HMS Prince of Wales Commander

Communication upgrades have been installed on HMS Richmond ahead of her deployment alongside HMS Prince of Wales. Pictured is the Type 23 frigate patrolling in the Red Sea.

"Game-changing" upgrades installed on HMS Richmond ahead of deployment

HMS Albion, an Albion-class landing platform, is due to be sold alongside HMS Bulwark to Brazil, with talks for the Royal Navy ships reaching advanced stages.

Debate shadows Royal Navy ships being sold to Brazil

Advanced new upgrades will be fitted to the new Type 31 ships being built for the Royal Navy, which go beyond the original specification.

Advanced upgrades to be fitted to new Type 31 ships

RFA Argus is back at sea and is undergoing trials ahead of a full return to the fleet, where she will support Royal Navy operations.

"Longest-serving ship" RFA Argus back at sea after two years

The Ministry of Defence has confirmed how many active Type 23 frigates there are in the fleet, alongside the deadlines for when Type 26s and 31 vessels will enter the fleet. Pictured: HMS Iron Duke, a Royal Navy frigate that was previously based in Portsmouth, sailing down Oslofjord.

How many active Type 23 frigates are there? MoD confirms replacements

A Royal Navy Lieutenant has spoke about the disposal of HMS Monmouth. The Type 23 frigate left Portsmouth on April 3, being towed and bound for Turkey to be scrapped.

"I served on HMS Monmouth and it's a sad day to see her scrapped"

Details about the upgrades being made to Portsmouth Naval Base have been announced, with various renovations being made to the home of the Royal Navy.

Details of Portsmouth Naval Base upgrades announced

Ghost hunter and paranormal expert Tony Ferguson believes the site of the Don Styler’s Physical Training Centre in Monks Walk, Elson, Gosport, is haunted and is sad that it will be demolished.

Ghost hunter upset dilapidated "haunted hospital" will be demolished

A ghost hunter is sad to see a “haunted hospital” being demolished after experiencing what he describes as paranormal activity.

Ivana Domozetska

A date has been confirmed for when Royal Navy flagship HMS Prince of Wales will leave Portsmouth and embark on a nine-month deployment to the Indo-Pacific region.

Date confirmed for when HMS Prince of Wales will leave city for op

Two former Royal Navy flagships HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark could be sold to Brazil with talks progressing.

"Unseaworthy" Royal Navy ships could be sold - talks at advanced stage

Royal Navy frigate HMS Monmouth has left Portsmouth for the final time as she is set to be scrapped in Turkey. Pictured is her being towed away from the city.

HMS Monmouth sails from city for the last time ahead of being scrapped

Russian state media fell for an outrageous April Fools joke that Britain was buying a new aircraft carrier and would name it HMS Prince Andrew.

Russia media falls for April Fool's gaffe involving Prince Andrew

The spectacle of military vehicles returning to the UK via the Port of Immingham was something to behold.

Battle-ready spectacle of 700-strong Army fleet decamping at UK port

A contract extension has been signed by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to bolster the fleet of Royal Navy Merlin helicopters.

Huge deal signed to bolster "world class" Royal Navy helicopters

HMS Queen Elizabeth will carry out a trial alongside HMNB Portsmouth this week.

Imperious HMS Queen Elizabeth to carry out key "system trial" - when

What DragonFire could look like when fired from a Royal Navy warship. It has been announced the system will be fitted to four destroyers.

What is the new destructive laser being fitted to destroyers?

New ships are being built to replace HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark - among other ships - and they have been rebranded to reflect the new capabilities they will be asked to fulfil for the Royal Navy.

New strike vessels to replace former Royal Navy flagships - details

The keel has been laid for HMS Dreadnought, one of four powerful ballistic missiles being constructed.

Powerful nuclear submarine HMS Dreadnought reaches major milestone

"Advanced techniques" have been developed between Royal Navy and Norwegian forces ahead of HMS Prince of Wales' upcoming Indo-Pacific deployment. Pictured: A Wildcat helicopter passing over Norwegian tanker HNoMS Maud.

"Advanced techniques" developed at exercise before Pacific deployment

Rachel Reeves speaking to the House of Commons on March 26, 2025, and announcing her Spring Statement. In the statement, she set out her aims to turn the UK into a “defence industrial superpower”.

"Defence industrial superpower" plans set out with military spend hike

Amanda Martin, Labour MP for Portsmouth North, has praised the announcement of Portsmouth Naval Base securing new investment from the government.

"Fantastic news for our city" as naval base secures investment hike

Barnton Bunker in Corstorphine Hill, Clermiston, Edinburgh, Scotland.

UK nuclear bunker sparks MoD interest amid Russia-Ukraine war

Ukraine ships Chernihiv alongside Cherkasy at HMNB Portsmouth in 2024. The two former Royal Navy minehunter ships were handed over to the Ukrainian navy for future missions in the Black Sea.

Why Ukraine ships donated by Royal Navy are still sailing around city

Comments about HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Queen Elizabeth being "obsolete" in the national press have been slammed by a former Royal Navy commander. The flagship is due to visit the Indo-Pacific this Spring.

Claim of aircraft carriers being "obsolete" slammed by ex-commander

The defence sector is not being considered a priority by the National Wealth Fund despite the government pushing policies in support of the Royal Navy, Army and RAF. Chancellor Rachel Reeves has addressed this.

Defence industry "not prioritised" by Treasury, report says

Further updates on the Type 83 shipbuilding project are due to be announced soon, according to the Ministry of Defence (MoD). Pictured is the Type 45 destroyer HMS Dragon.

Mysterious Type 83 destroyer updates expected soon - when

First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Ben Key told the defence select committee on March 18 that several sailors were discharged following the investigation into the allegations made by Lieutenant Sophie Brook.

Multiple sailors discharged after sexual bullying investigation

A new Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Taskforce has been created to try and clamp down on criminal sexual behaviour in the armed forces, which has been greeted with criticism by a military lawyer. Pictured are junior soldiers marching in Harrogate before graduation.

"I'm pessimistic about new MoD taskforce to protect women"

First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Ben Key told the defence select committee on March 18 that a commanding officer had to be removed from their position due to workplace culture concerns.

Commanding Officer removed from post after workplace culture concerns

First Sea Lord Sir Admiral Ben Key taking questions on violence and bullying against women in the armed forces during a Defence Select Committee meeting.

Royal Navy WhatsApp groups not banned despite sexist bullying concerns

The Times reports that military planners are worried that HMS Prince of Wales "could be attacked" as she travels to the Indo-Pacific region via the Red Sea. She is due to take charge of the UK Carrier Strike Group. Pictured is the carrier returning to Portsmouth on September 20, 2024.

HMS Prince of Wales "could be attacked" on way to mission, report says

New Dreadnaught-class nuclear submarines are being built for the Royal Navy at a cost of £41bn, with a date being given as to when they'll enter the fleet. Pictured is a Vanguard-class submarine undergoing maintenance at HM Naval Base Clyde at Faslane, north-west of Glasgow, Scotland.

Powerful new nuclear submarines being built and will enter fleet soon

Royal Navy sailors aboard HMS Spey are conducting intense training ahead of the arrival of HMS Prince of Wales to the Indo-Pacific region.

Highly-skilled sailors gear up for HMS Prince of Wales deployment

Elon Musk’s Starlink system is being trialled on HMS Prince of Wales, and it could be rolled out to the rest of the fleet if the tests are successful.

Starlink system run by Elon Musk to be trialled on HMS Prince of Wales

Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry, Maria Eagle, said challenging targets will be made to make sure SMEs are handed defence contracts and cash.

Ambitious targets for new defence contracts aimed at small businesses

New technologies could be used to protect British waters from various threats. Pictured is HMS Somerset keeping a watchful eye over the Russian corvette Boikiy.

Cutting-edge anti-submarine sensors could soon be used in UK waters

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