Defence Equipment & Support

The UK is stepping up for our partners in the Gulf. Defence Minister @LukePollard convened 13 UK defence companies alongside Gulf ambassadors and defence attachés to explore urgent defensive support against Iranian drone and missile attacks. UK industry is ready to deliver.

Update on UK operations in the Middle East, 18 March 2026.

Appointment: Lt Gen Simon Hamilton will complete his tenure as interim DE&S CEO at the end of March as he prepares to become the @BritishArmy's next Deputy Chief of the General Staff, leading their Force Design. Thank you for your service at DE&S. 🤝 🔗 des.mod.uk/des-ceo-lieute…

ICYMI: Fully autonomous helicopter has taken its first flight. 👊 As part of a £60 million programme, a Proteus prototype demonstrator successfully completed its maiden test flight from Predannack Airfield in Cornwall earlier this year. Full story: ow.ly/s2zQ50YuNVG

Ordered: 37 weapons systems for RCH 155. ✅ Under a £53m contact to ARTEC GmbH by OCCAR, RCH 155 will eventually replace AS90 and will fire 8 rounds per minute at targets up to 70km away. 👉 £30m will go to @RheinmetallAG's manufacturing facility. More: ow.ly/ZSpG50YtwYO

🚨 The RAF are moving closer to the airborne early warning and control capability, following the arrival of an Indra-produced E7 Wedgetail simulator at @RAFLossiemouth. 👉 The Wedgetail simulator will train the first aircrews in preparation for the E-7’s entry into service.

Protecting British people, British interests, British allies. @johnhealey_mp updates from @RAFAkrotiri ⬇️

Behind every helicopter built in Yeovil there's a network of almost 70 UK businesses making it possible, each bringing something unique to the table. This £1 billion deal doesn't just secure 3,300 jobs at one site, it backs UK industry across all nations from the ground up. 🇬🇧

British-made anchors for British ships. 🇬🇧 Under a multi-million-pound contract, Solid Swivel will forge anchors and chains for @RoyalNavy vessels, including six 12,500kg anchors for the Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers. More: des.mod.uk/midlands-famil…

As the situation in the Middle East remains volatile, we are deploying our Type-45 Destroyer, HMS Dragon, to the Eastern Mediterranean. We are also sending two Wildcat helicopters to Cyprus to bolster drone defence for our Cypriot partners. Working alongside our allies, our Armed Forces are committed to protecting regional stability and keeping people safe.

Deal agreed 🤝 A £1bn New Medium Helicopter deal will bolster the UK’s battlefield capability and make Yeovil @Leonardo_UK's global centre for military helicopter production and exports. 🚁 We've ordered 23 AW149s for the @BritishArmy & @RoyalAirForce. des.mod.uk/new-medium-hel…

The UK is fully committed to the security of Cyprus and British military personnel based there. We’re continuing our defensive operations and I've just spoken with the President of Cyprus to let him know that we are sending helicopters with counter drone capabilities and HMS Dragon is to be deployed to the region. We will always act in the interest of the UK and our allies.

My update on the situation in the Middle East.

Type 45 Destroyer HMS Duncan has tested cutting-edge weapons off the Welsh coast during Ex Sharpshooter. 🎯 The crew underwent an intensive training scenario designed to mimic the modern-day threats of drones, boosting UK military readiness as drone tech reshapes battlefields.

Don't miss the latest Desider magazine. Read about... 🏥 How NATO initiative Renovator is rehabilitating Ukrainian soldiers. 🚀 New innovations in UK Defence. ❄️ How we supported the Marines High North deployment. 🚨 SONUS. 🔗 assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/699c18e7…

Two Type 31 milestones in a single day at Rosyth. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Steel has been cut on the 4th @RoyalNavy ship, HMS Bulldog, while HMS Active rolled out the build hall and into fitting out phase. The programme sustains 2,500 jobs across Scotland and UK industry. 🔗 ow.ly/Bbof50YlLJ4

It’s been 4 years since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. We're proud to play our part in keeping the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the fight. 📦 Delivered 155 million+ items. 🪖 Helped train 62,000+ Ukrainians. 💷 Committed over £1Bn this year. #StandWithUkraine 🇺🇦

The UK continues to be a steadfast ally of Ukraine’s war effort. 🇺🇦 £200m of funding has been allocated to prepare the UK Armed Forces to deploy as part of the Multinational Force for Ukraine. Read in Desider about the UK's support 👉 ow.ly/mo3550YiV7P #StandWithUkraine

#ICYMI: The first two M270A2 Multiple Launch Rocket Systems made a major step forward ahead of handover to the @BritishArmy this summer. The M270A2 brings a significant enhancement in firepower, enhancements in flexibility and reach for the @royalartillery1. 👊

RAF Typhoons joined Exercise Red Flag 2026 in Nevada, training alongside USAF and RAAF covering 2.9 million acres of restricted airspace. 🚨 Over 300 UK personnel participated in one of the most demanding air combat exercises, sharpening skills vital of the Western Alliance.🤝