UK scraps older warships, helicopters and drones in cost-saving plan – POLITICO

UK scraps older warships, helicopters and drones in cost-saving plan – POLITICO

“The retirement of aging equipment” is needed as the U.K. looks to “transition to new capabilities and make our armed forces fit for the future,” Healey said. Under the plan, two assault ships, the HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark, will be taken out of service a decade early, while logistics vessels RFA Wave Knight and … Read more

Wie die Länder den ÖRR schrumpfen wollen – POLITICO

Wie die Länder den ÖRR schrumpfen wollen – POLITICO

Der öffentlich-rechtliche Rundfunk soll weniger kosten, die Gebühren dürfen nicht weiter steigen. Darin sind sich die meisten Länderchefs einig, die sich ab heute zur Ministerpräsidentenkonferenz in Leipzig treffen. Über den Weg zu den Einsparungen dagegen herrscht noch keine endgültige Einigkeit. Wie die Anstalten geschrumpft werden könnten – organisatorisch, aber auch inhaltlich – analysiert Gordon Repinski. … Read more

UK helped stop Iranian missiles headed for Israel – POLITICO

UK helped stop Iranian missiles headed for Israel – POLITICO

In a televised address, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “I am deeply concerned that the region is on the brink and I am deeply concerned about the risk of miscalculation.” The U.K. recently halted the sale of some arms to Israel because a legal review identified a risk they could be used in violation of humanitarian … Read more

PM urges Brits in Lebanon to ‘leave immediately’ as 700 UK troops scrambled to Cyprus to help with mass evacuations

PM urges Brits in Lebanon to ‘leave immediately’ as 700 UK troops scrambled to Cyprus to help with mass evacuations

SIR Keir Starmer has urged Brits in Lebanon to “leave immediately” as 700 UK troops are scrambled to Cyprus to help with any mass evacuation. The Middle-Eastern country appears to be on the brink of being the battleground between Israel and Iran-backed militia Hezbollah, who are being bombarded by intensifying waves of airstrikes. 7 Troops … Read more

US pushes back against Ukraine pleas to lift weapon restrictions – POLITICO

US pushes back against Ukraine pleas to lift weapon restrictions – POLITICO

“There are a lot of targets in Russia — a big country, obviously,” Austin added. “And there’s a lot of capability that Ukraine has in terms of UAVs [unmanned aerial vehicles] and other things to address those targets.” His words represent a diplomatic pushback to pleas from Zelenskyy and his new Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha … Read more

Zelenskyy tells Ukraine’s allies to hurry up with air defense aid – POLITICO

Zelenskyy tells Ukraine’s allies to hurry up with air defense aid – POLITICO

He said that in the one month since his troops embarked on the Kursk offensive, “We have turned the tables and are pushing the war into Russia through counteroffensives.” However, he added, Ukraine needs “more weapons to drive Russian forces off our land … We need to have this long-range capability not only on the … Read more

Netanyahu blasts ‘shameful’ UK ban on Israel arms exports – POLITICO

Netanyahu blasts ‘shameful’ UK ban on Israel arms exports – POLITICO

But Labour is facing a domestic backlash from some quarters, with Conservative Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Tuesday asking: “Why are Lammy and [Keir] Starmer abandoning Israel? Do they want Hamas to win?” Britain’s Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis said the announcement “beggars belief” and “will serve to encourage our shared enemies.” He questioned the timing … Read more

Boris Johnson accuses UK Labour of ‘abandoning Israel’ – POLITICO

Boris Johnson accuses UK Labour of ‘abandoning Israel’ – POLITICO

Johnson has been a long-standing ally of Israel, calling any consideration to end arms sales “insane” and “shameful” earlier this year. Britain has just over 350 export licenses with Israel. The U.K. has stressed that its move does not amount to an arms embargo, but said the number of civilian deaths and the scale of … Read more

Britain and Germany team up on defense as fears grow Trump will ditch Ukraine – POLITICO

Britain and Germany team up on defense as fears grow Trump will ditch Ukraine – POLITICO

The country’s new Labour government is more enthusiastic about forging deeper defense co-operation with European allies than its Conservative predecessor, and moved quickly to sign a cooperation deal with Germany on Wednesday. As part of a whistle stop tour of Europe, including France, Poland and Estonia over 48 hours this week, British Defense Minister John … Read more

Uniformed British soldier stabbed multiple times in street attack – POLITICO

Uniformed British soldier stabbed multiple times in street attack – POLITICO

There is no suggestion yet regarding the motive of the attack while investigations are underway. The stabbing took place near Brompton Barracks, the headquarters of the British Army’s 1 Royal School of Military Engineering Regiment. U.K. Defense Secretary John Healey echoed Starmer’s words: “Shocking to hear of an attack on a soldier in Kent. My … Read more