Simon Enright

Storbritanniens Minister of State for Defence, Lord Coaker, träffade svenska trupper under övningen COLD RESPONSE i Finland igår. Rysslands ökade aktivitet i Arktis har förändrat säkerhetsläget. Storbritannien kommer vara en central del av Natos respons i norr från dag ett.

In the last month alone, the UK has delivered to Ukraine: ✅ 3,500 drones ✅ 18,000 artillery rounds ✅ 3 million rounds of small ammunition With conflicts on two continents, the UK's commitment to Ukraine remains steadfast. 🇬🇧🤝🇺🇦 @johnhealey_mp's full statement 👇

The Middle East conflict has increased the need for rapid military innovation. It’s central to our national and economic security. Today we’ve agreed a new defence partnership between Ukraine and the UK - strengthening Ukraine’s ability to defend itself from Russia’s brutal attacks and ensuring the UK and our allies are prepared to meet the threats of the future. Great to see you again, my friend, @ZelenskyyUa.

In a trilateral format with Prime Minister of the United Kingdom @Keir_Starmer and @SecGenNATO Mark Rutte, we discussed joint weapons production and coordination in this direction to strengthen Ukraine and all of Europe. It is important to continue strengthening our air defense and ensuring it has a sufficient number of missiles for air defense systems. In particular, the decisions adopted during the Ramstein-format meeting must be implemented as soon as possible, and the PURL initiative must be replenished with additional contributions. I thank Keir and Mark for their efforts to support Ukraine and to maintain focus on Ukraine and the swiftest possible achievement of a dignified peace.

In 2020 the UK spent more on MOD phone service contracts than all of Argentine procurement in total. Last year Argentina spent less on procurement than we did on annual P-8 support. The word 'massive' here is doing some seriously heavy lifting.

The UK is considering possible options to help defend shipping in the Strait of Hormuz from Iranian attacks, the defence secretary has said. John Healey also discussed Russia's so-called 'hidden hand' helping Iran with its tactics in the war. @haynesdeborah reports ⬇️

Thousands of skilled jobs are secured in Somerset. 🧑‍🏭🚁 Here's what the £1 billion deal means to the area and apprentices building some of the most advanced military helicopters in the world. 👇

Great to see PJHQ getting recognition. The absolute engine room of defence operations, working ridiculous hours, thinking through every last permutation, constantly reacting to rapidly changing circumstances.

@gregbagwell @simonenright I was once served under Sir Richard Knighton as a junior ranking aircraft engineer - he was a fantastic leader. Respected by everyone on the squadron - intelligent, decisive and fair.

Alongside @SecondSeaLord and @smmoorhouse in HMNB Clyde this week, we met and spoke to trainees and teams who keep our Submarine Service ready every day.

Meeting with our rapid deployment and embassy teams in Saudi Arabia today to see the vital work they are doing to support Brits in the Gulf and to help get people home. I’m here to demonstrate the UK’s steadfast support for our regional allies facing reckless Iranian aggression.

12/ The references to his Service and Branch specialisation suggest something a bit more underhand and sinister is going on here. I happen to know Sir Rich very well, and we couldn’t ask for a better qualified CDS or better person in post at this challenging time.

Some are putting out a story that Sir Rich Knighton (CDS) should resign over recent events in Cyprus. Some say he’s lost the confidence of the PM, some say an RAF officer can’t appreciate the Navy’s capability and some say he is not a warfighter. Let’s address each in turn: 1/12

5/ As for the accusation that an RAF CDS can’t value a Navy capability, I would suggest that anyone making it has an agenda to emplace their own candidate. The process to form military advice is a joint one that takes advice from all the experts; no single service bias survives.

HMS Dragon has deployed to the Eastern Mediterranean - a testament to the combined effort of crew, engineers, maintainers, logisticians and planners who made it happen. She sails ready. ⚓️

@HMSDragon an outstanding effort from dock to deployment. Thank you particularly to family and friends for your continued support - you are the greatest enabler. Fair winds #LeadFightWin x.com/royalnavy/stat…

Bound for the Eastern Mediterranean… Our sailors stand ready, as ever, to protect our great nation as HMS Dragon departs Portsmouth today. Fair winds! 🔗royalnavy.mod.uk/news/2026/marc…

Last night, UK military aircraft operated over the UAE alongside our Emirati hosts. Group Captain Sandy Sandilands, UK Defence Attaché to the UAE, explains more. #ukinuaecrisisresponse26 #ukuaecr26

I know many people across our country are worried about the impact of the Middle East conflict on the cost of living. My Labour government is on your side, focused on protecting your families and acting in the national interest. mirror.co.uk/news/politics/…