HM Government

EU and 6 governments moved on defence production, air defence, election observation, development policy and IndoPacific security cooperation.

The UK launched a Defence Universities Alliance backed by £182 million to expand defence research, skills and student pathways.

NATO, the UK and Australia advanced Gulf security, AI training and AUKUS undersea projects, while the Netherlands warned of Russian camera espionage.

The UK led a 12country precisionstrike programme as Britain, the Netherlands and Australia advanced medical, industrial and counterdrone measures.

NATO and UKDutch announcements added counterdrone, missile and amphibious ship investments tied to alliance readiness and defence industry.

UK launched NATO air policing from HMS Prince of Wales in the High North, the first from a European carrier, with 1,500 personnel, according to HM Government.

UK awards a £4.6bn trilateral GCAP design contract with Italy and Japan, part of an £8.6bn fouryear investment, targeting service entry by 2035, HM Government said.

UK launches a defence space innovation competition with up to £985k for sensors, platform selfprotection and EM resilience, partnering with UK Space Agency and Dstl.

HM Government set out a £298bn multiyear defence plan, adding £15bn for readiness, lifting spending toward £80bn by 2029, and backing drones, nuclear and nextgen air power.

European Commission delivers first SAFE payment to Lithuania to bolster military capabilities and joint EU procurement.

Germany sent five A400Ms for a twoweek humanitarian airlift to earthquakehit Venezuela, carrying THW teams and medical staff in coordination with partners.

HM Government marked Armed Forces Day nationwide, confirmed Southport will host the 2027 national event, and noted 230 UK events.

Parliament backed AGILE with €115 million to speed defence innovation, support SMEs and startups, and cut thirdcountry dependencies.

MEPs approved plans to speed EU troop and kit movements, adding digital permits, resilient infrastructure, and a solidarity pool, with rapid emergency activation provisions.

Germany’s defence minister visited Lithuania as 2,900 troops from eight NATO nations trained under Freedom Shield 2026, with 800 vehicles and extensive drone integration.

Bundeswehr cyber and information forces backed the Freedom Shield exercise in Lithuania, involving about 3,000 troops, 800 vehicles and eight nations.

UK conducts first intercept of a Russian shadow fleet tanker, SMYRTOS, in the Channel with Royal Marines and the NCA, to enforce oil sanctions.

Government honours highlighted Dstl innovation and CSOC service in the UK’s 2026 King’s Birthday Honours, alongside the wider military division list.

Germany ran CIMIC Quadriga 2026 in Lower Saxony to test civilmilitary crisis coordination with 28 nations across 150 scenarios over 12 days.