Defence Equipment & Support

An £879m contract has been awarded to @Boeing UK to support the @BritishArmy's Apache and @RoyalAirForce's Chinook helicopter fleets. The three-year deal sustains 700+ skilled jobs across the UK, reinforcing defence as an engine for economic growth. 🇬🇧 🔗des.mod.uk/879m-apache-an…

The Boats In-Service Support programme will keep 3,000 military and police boats mission ready across our coastlines and beyond. 🟠 Nine contracts worth £283.5 million. 🟠 Five suppliers. 🟠 100+ skilled jobs. Read more about this investment: des.mod.uk/uk-jobs-booste…

Update on UK operations in the Middle East, 13 April 2026.

#ICYMI: In March, Steel was cut on HMS Bulldog, the fourth Inspiration-class frigate, while HMS Active rolled out of its build hall and into the fitting-out phase. Read all about it in the final edition of Desider (Page 10) 👉 assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69c15d1c…

A new Task Force will support partners across the Middle East working with UK industry, while managing the impact on our supply chains. @JohnHealey_MP has announced plans to buy 'Skyhammer' interceptor missiles to counter drone threats 👉 gov.uk/government/new…

WATCH LIVE: An important operational update from Defence Secretary John Healey MP. x.com/i/broadcasts/1…

Smarter solutions 🤝 safer seas. The @RoyalNavy has taken delivery of a second Maritime Mine Counter Measures system, Adventure, delivered by OCCAR and the National Armaments Director Group in partnership with France and @ThalesUK.

Two @Airbus H145 helicopters have landed in Brunei and are now conducting training with the @BritishArmy Air Corps, replacing the retired Puma HC2s. Part of a £148 million programme supporting 250 UK jobs in Oxfordshire. 🚁 More: des.mod.uk/new-helicopter…

🇬🇧 🇫🇷 The UK and France have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore a successor to the Meteor missile, one of the most capable air-to-air weapon systems ever built. A 12-month study will assess future threats and develop new missile concepts. 🔗 des.mod.uk/uk-and-france-…

The UK is stepping up to defend our people, our bases, and our partners in the Middle East. Defence Secretary @JohnHealey_MP shares an update from our joint Typhoon squadron in Qatar.

270 soldiers. One incredible drop. 🪂 Soldiers from the 3rd Battalion Parachute Regiment parachuted 800 ft from three Atlas A400M aircraft, with a fourth that dropped 24 tonnes of weapons, ammunition and resources. An unmatched capability, equipped by our expert teams. 🤝

⚡️⚡️ The final Tranche 1 F-35B Lightning has been accepted, completing the UK's first batch of the world's most advanced fighter jet. Flying from our Queen Elizabeth Class carriers, a powerful symbol of UK defence capability, today and for decades to come. @RoyalAirForce

🆕 Contracts totalling £283.5m have been awarded to @Babcockplc, Serco and UK SMEs to maintain 3,000 MOD boats which are essential for patrolling and interception to support the Continuous At-Sea Deterrent. 🇬🇧 More details: des.mod.uk/uk-jobs-booste…

Today @LukePollard announced a £283.5m investment to keep UK Forces and MOD Police operational at sea. 🎥 Five providers across nine contracts will maintain 3,000 MOD boats - from patrol to supporting the Continuous At-Sea Deterrent. More details: des.mod.uk/uk-jobs-booste…

March Desider has dropped. Featuring... ✅ A multi-million-pound contract secures historic UK manufacturing heritage ✅ A Ukrainian drone manufacturer coming to Suffolk ✅ A new era for maintenance insight, powered by AI ✅ Andy Start's farewell to MOD 🔗 ow.ly/XHQ250Yyb0u

From shipyard to open water. 🚢 HMS Active, the @RoyalNavy's second Type 31 Inspiration Class frigate, has completed her float-off at Rosyth. A defining moment for the​ state-of-the-art warship programme. Working with 👉 @Babcockplc Full story: des.mod.uk/hms-active-cel…

A £1bn New Medium Helicopter commitment to UK defence has been signed with @Leonardo_UK. The programme will: 🚁 Deliver 23 new AW149 helicopters 💼 Secure thousands of UK jobs 🇬🇧 Help generate £15bn in future export orders

70 years of distinguished service. 🇬🇧 The @BritishArmy has begun the retirement of its iconic Land Rover fleet and is already looking to the future. The Light Mobility Vehicle programme will identify the next generation of light mobility vehicles, with delivery expected by 2030.

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.