Military news

• Why Masterships could be the future of engineering

  24-02-2017 16:08
  
  The introduction of the apprenticeship levy from April 2017 – raising cash to part-fund three million apprenticeship places by 2020 – means that more employers will want to take advantage of the available subsidies, and in particular, to develop specific higher skills at degree level and above.
  One of the ways in which they can do is to put an employee forward for a Master’s degree level apprenticeship, or Mastership.
  The defence industry has been the first to develop and run M
  
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• Bloody Sunday: families decry move not to prosecute 15 ex-soldiers for perjury

  19-04-2024 17:35 via theguardian.com
  
  Decision extinguishes one of few remaining hopes of legal action over killing of 13 civil rights demonstrators in Derry in 1972Relatives of Bloody Sunday victims have condemned a decision not to prosecute 15 former soldiers for perjury, calling it an affront to the rule of law.Northern Ireland’s Public Prosecution Service (PPS) on Friday announced the 15 army veterans plus a former alleged member of the Official IRA would not face prosecution for allegedly giving false evidence to the Bloo
  
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• Bloody Sunday families decry decision not to prosecute 15 veterans for perjury

  19-04-2024 17:35 via theguardian.com
  
  Move extinguishes one of the last hopes of legal action over killing of 13 civil rights demonstrators in Derry in 1972Relatives of Bloody Sunday victims have condemned a decision not to prosecute 15 former soldiers for perjury, calling it an affront to the rule of law.Northern Ireland’s Public Prosecution Service (PPS) on Friday announced the 15 army veterans plus a former alleged member of the Official IRA would not face prosecution for allegedly giving false evidence to the Bloody Sunday
  
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• UK aims to boost economic defences against security risks

  18-04-2024 17:25
  
  DefenceTalkBritain must strengthen its defences against economic security risks amplified by globalization, especially those emanating from China, Iran and Russia, Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden warned Thursday. Businesses and universities are “vulnerable” because of the opening up of the global economy, Dowden said in a speech to the Chatham House international affairs think-tank in London. […]https://www.defencetalk.com/uk-aims-to-boost-economic-defences-against-securit
  
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• Russian ‘cyber sabotage’ a global threat: security firm

  18-04-2024 17:21
  
  DefenceTalkA cyber group with links to Russian military intelligence is set to become a significant global threat after playing an increasing critical role in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, a leading cybersecurity firm warned Wednesday. Google-owned Mandiant said in a report that it is seeing nefarious operations by the group referred to as “Sandworm” in […]https://www.defencetalk.com/russian-cyber-sabotage-a-global-threat-security-firm-80222/
  
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• NASA chief warns of Chinese military presence in space

  18-04-2024 17:19
  DefenceTalkChina is bolstering its space capabilities and is using its civilian program to mask its military objectives, the head of the US space agency NASA said Wednesday, warning that Washington must remain vigilant. “China has made extraordinary strides especially in the last 10 years, but they are very, very secretive,” NASA administrator Bill Nelson told […]https://www.defencetalk.com/nasa-chief-warns-of-chinese-military-presence-in-space-80218/
  
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• Iran warns Israel against attacking nuclear sites

  18-04-2024 17:17
  
  DefenceTalkA senior Revolutionary Guards general threatened on Thursday to target Israel’s “nuclear facilities” if it strikes Iranian atomic sites, state media reported, anticipating retaliation for Tehran’s unprecedented weekend attack. Israel’s military chief has vowed a response to the Iranian aerial attack, which was mostly intercepted, while world leaders have urged de-escalation. Violence involving Iran-aligned groups […]https://www.defencetalk.com/iran
  
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• Russia says neutralised 20 drones, 2 missiles

  18-04-2024 17:15
  
  DefenceTalkRussia on Thursday said it had neutralized 20 drones and two ballistic missiles in areas bordering Ukraine, including Rostov where its command headquarters for the Ukraine offensive is located. “During the night, several terrorist attacks by the Kyiv regime were foiled,” the defence ministry said. It said it had neutralized 20 drones — 16 of […]https://www.defencetalk.com/russia-says-neutralised-20-drones-2-missiles-80210/
  
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• Sunak considering exemptions to Rwanda bill for some Afghans

  17-04-2024 12:16 via theguardian.com
  
  Lords also press ministers to allow independent Rwanda monitoring as deportation bill returns to CommonsUK politics – latest updatesRishi Sunak’s government is considering concessions on the Rwanda deportation bill to allow exemptions for Afghans who served alongside UK forces, parliamentary sources say.Ministers are also being pressed to give ground to an amendment to the legislation so that the east African country could be ruled unsafe by a monitoring committee. Continue reading..
  
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• Britain has no business intervening in the war in Gaza. So why did it defend Israel against Iran? | Simon Jenkins

  16-04-2024 11:33 via theguardian.com
  
  Our leaders are too eager to revisit the UK’s one-time role as police officer to the world. This isn’t the way to do foreign affairsBritain’s use of its air force to defend Israel against Iran at the weekend was an emphatic intervention in the war in Gaza. It was more than Britain has done for Ukraine. And while the war in Ukraine does at least have implications, albeit distant, for Britain’s long-term defence, Israel’s dispute with Gaza has none. It is not Britain&
  
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• Fate of Middle East hangs in the balance as Israel mulls its next steps

  14-04-2024 06:53 via theguardian.com
  
  Joe Biden is believed to have urged restraint, and Tehran deems the matter ‘concluded’ but ultimately Israel’s response lies in the hands of three prickly rivals in its war cabinet Iran attack on Israel – live updatesFull report: Iran launches hundreds of drones and cruise missiles at Israel in unprecedented attackIran attack – what we know so farThe prospect of a major regional war in the Middle East hangs in the balance on Sunday morning, when Benjamin Netanyahu&r
  
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• Iran launches hundreds of drones and cruise missiles at Israel in unprecedented attack

  14-04-2024 04:09 via theguardian.com
  
  Islamic Republic’s first ever direct attack on Jewish state involved more than 200 drones and missiles, and raises the risk of a broader regional conflagrationIran launches attack against Israel – liveIran missile and drone attack on Israel – what we know so farIran launched more than 200 drones and missiles at Israel on Saturday night, in the Islamic Republic’s first ever direct attack on the Jewish state, bringing a years-long shadow war into the open and threatening to
  
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• Iran launches drones and cruise missiles at Israel in unprecedented attack

  14-04-2024 04:09 via theguardian.com
  
  Islamic Republic’s first ever direct attack on Jewish state involved more than 200 drones and missiles, and raises the risk of a broader regional conflagrationIran launches attack against Israel – liveIran missile and drone attack on Israel – what we know so farIran launched more than 200 drones and missiles at Israel on Saturday night, in the Islamic Republic’s first ever direct attack on the Jewish state, bringing a years-long shadow war into the open and threatening to
  
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• Iran missile and drone attack on Israel – what we know so far

  14-04-2024 03:35 via theguardian.com
  
  Israel’s military has reported minor damage after Iran launched dozens of drones and missiles towards it late on Saturday Iran attack on Israel – live updatesFull report: Iran launches drones and cruise missiles against IsraelIran has launched dozens of drones as well as cruise missiles towards Israel, the Islamic Republic’s first ever direct attack on the Jewish state in response to the 1 April strike on an Iranian diplomatic building in the Syrian capital of Damascus which ki
  
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• US and UK forces help shoot down Iranian drones over Jordan, Syria and Iraq

  14-04-2024 02:09 via theguardian.com
  
  US defence official says action is part of ‘ironclad commitment to Israel’s security’, with UK’s Royal Air Force also involved in regional operations Iran launches attack against Israel – liveFull report: Israel under fire as Iran launches drones and cruise missilesA hastily assembled coalition including the US and UK has helped Israel shoot down Iranian drones over Jordan, Iraq and Syria in an effort to blunt the attack and prevent an uncontrollable escalation.As a
  
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• Labour aims to raise defence spending to 2.5% of GDP

  12-04-2024 10:14 via theguardian.com
  
  Starmer’s comments come before visit to Barrow, where he is to promise nuclear deterrent is ‘bedrock’ of security planLabour will aim to raise the UK’s defence spending to 2.5% of GDP “as soon as resources allow”, its leader Keir Starmer has said.Speaking to the i newspaper, Starmer said defence was “the number one issue for any government” in a world where international threats had risen and the situation was “more volatile” than it ha
  
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• Starmer to make defence pledges with ‘bedrock’ of nuclear deterrent

  11-04-2024 23:30 via theguardian.com
  
  On visit to Barrow, Labour leader due to say defence procurement will strengthen security and growthKeir Starmer will promise to make the UK’s nuclear deterrent the “bedrock” of his security plan to keep Britain safe.On Friday he will become the first Labour leader in 30 years to visit Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, where nuclear submarines are being built. He will be joined by the Australian high commissioner to the UK, Stephen Smith, and the shadow defence secretary, John Healey
  
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• Ex-defence ministers ‘wrong’ to say UK unprepared for war, deputy PM says

  07-04-2024 17:25 via theguardian.com
  
  Oliver Dowden criticises James Heappey and Ben Wallace, saying action is being takenFormer defence ministers are wrong to issue a stark warning that the UK is unprepared for war as a “whole-nation endeavour”, the deputy prime minister has said.The outgoing defence minister, James Heappey, called on ministers to do more to prepare for conflict just weeks after resigning from his Ministry of Defence (MoD) post, saying the UK has failed to prepare for war. Continue reading...
  
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• Royal Navy seizes £17m of drugs in Caribbean Sea

  06-04-2024 14:38 via theguardian.com
  
  HMS Trent seized 200kg of cocaine and other drugs in two operations that intercepted speedboats The Royal Navy has seized nearly £17m worth of drugs after it intercepted smuggling speedboats in the Caribbean Sea.HMS Trent seized 200kg of cocaine and other drugs with an estimated street value of £16.7m across two operations. Continue reading...
  
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• Venezuela says US building ‘secret’ bases in disputed Essequibo

  04-04-2024 13:50
  
  DefenceTalkVenezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Wednesday accused the United States of building “secret military bases” in Essequibo, an oil-rich region of Guyana that Caracas claims as its territory. “We have information proving that in the territory of Guyana Essequibo, temporarily administered by Guyana, secret military bases of the (US) Southern Command… a body of the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/venezuela-says-us-building-secret-bases-in-disputed-essequib
  
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• Israel cancels leave for combat units after Iran consulate strike

  04-04-2024 13:46
  
  DefenceTalkThe Israeli army has suspended leave for its combat units, it said Thursday, amid the Gaza war and as tensions with Iran grew after a strike on Tehran’s consulate in Damascus. Israeli media reported that the military was also calling up more reservist soldiers “against the background of the visible threats from Iran”. “Leave will […]https://www.defencetalk.com/israel-cancels-leave-for-combat-units-after-iran-consulate-strike-80194/
  
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• US blames Microsoft ‘cascade of errors’ for Chinese hack

  04-04-2024 13:41
  
  DefenceTalkA scathing US government report found that an intrusion into Microsoft servers by a Chinese hacking group, which breached the emails of multiple senior US officials, was due to a “cascade of avoidable errors” by the tech giant. The Cyber Safety Review Board (CSRB), led by the US Department of Homeland Security, conducted a seven-month […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-blames-microsoft-cascade-of-errors-for-chinese-hack-80190/
  
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• UK govt under pressure to suspend Israeli arms export licenses

  04-04-2024 13:39
  
  DefenceTalkThe UK government faced growing pressure Wednesday to suspend arms export licenses to Israel, after an Israeli strike killed three Britons and four others all working for a food charity in Gaza. Britain’s strategic licensing criteria states that weapons should not be exported when there is a “clear risk” they could be used in international […]https://www.defencetalk.com/uk-govt-under-pressure-to-suspend-israeli-arms-export-licenses-80186/
  
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• Taiwan detects 30 Chinese military planes around island: ministry

  03-04-2024 12:23
  
  DefenceTalkTaiwan said Wednesday that 30 Chinese military aircraft were detected around the island in a 24-hour window — one of the highest daily numbers this year. China considers self-ruling Taiwan its territory, and has never renounced the use of force to bring the island under its control. Taiwan’s defence ministry said 20 of the aircraft […]https://www.defencetalk.com/taiwan-detects-30-chinese-military-planes-around-island-ministry-80177/
  
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• North Korea says it test-fired new solid-fuel hypersonic missile

  03-04-2024 12:16
  
  DefenceTalkNorth Korea’s Kim Jong Un oversaw the launch of a new medium-to-long range solid-fuel hypersonic missile, state media said Wednesday, hailing the “important military strategic value” of the new weapon. Video in state media showed the missile being carried into position on its launching vehicle, as Kim and an array of uniformed soldiers stood by […]https://www.defencetalk.com/north-korea-test-fired-new-solid-fuel-hypersonic-missile-80168/
  
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• Dutch to deploy Patriot air defence unit to Lithuania

  03-04-2024 12:11
  
  DefenceTalkDutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said on Tuesday that the Netherlands will temporarily deploy Patriot missile systems to Lithuania, as the Baltics seek NATO allies to rotate air defence capabilities to the region. “Dutch armed forces are currently making preparations for a patriot air defence unit to conduct an exercise in Lithuania this summer,” Rutte […]https://www.defencetalk.com/dutch-to-deploy-patriot-air-defence-unit-to-lithuania-80173/
  
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• North Korea fires medium-range ballistic missile

  03-04-2024 11:37
  
  DefenceTalkNorth Korea fired a medium-range ballistic missile on Tuesday, with South Korea, the United States and Japan conducting a joint aerial exercise involving nuclear-capable B-52H bombers just hours later. Pyongyang’s latest launch comes less than two weeks after Kim supervised a solid-fuel engine test for a new intermediate-range hypersonic missile (IRBM), with experts suggesting the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/north-korea-fires-medium-range-ballistic-missile-80182/
  
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• In 1994, I was the last person sent to prison in the UK for being gay – and I’m still being punished today

  02-04-2024 11:00 via theguardian.com
  
  For two years, David Bonney’s sexuality was investigated by his employer, the RAF. When he confessed, he was sent to solitaryDavid Bonney realised his employer, the Royal Air Force, was investigating his sexuality within minutes of entering the guard room at RAF Mount Batten, a military base near Plymouth. It was 1991 and Bonney, then a 21-year-old medical assistant, had just been escorted from his post at the medical centre by military police. He sat down in the guard room, opposite the d
  
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• UK’s ever more expensive nuclear submarines will torpedo spending plans for years to come

  31-03-2024 09:00 via theguardian.com
  
  Whoever wins the next election, a reckoning is overdue on the costs of Britain’s nuclear deterrentWhen Rishi Sunak visited Barrow-in-Furness on Monday he said the Cumbrian town was “mission critical for our country” because of its role building four new nuclear submarines to carry the UK’s nuclear weapons. If you believe Sunak’s erstwhile ally, Dominic Cummings, then that mission faces serious problems.Cummings, once Boris Johnson’s most powerful adviser, said
  
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• British army ends century-old ban to allow troops to grow beards

  29-03-2024 13:07 via theguardian.com
  
  Policy change stipulates ‘no patchy or uneven growth’ and allows length of up to 25.5mmAfter more than a century of having their clean-shaven chins inspected, soldiers and officers in the British army will be allowed to grow beards.The change in policy is not a chance for a hirsute free-for-all, however, as facial hair will be strictly monitored for length and grooming. Continue reading...
  
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