April 2018 - United Kingdom Special Weapons News

UK May Set Up Satellite Program Separate From EU - Reports Sputnik 26 Apr 2018 -- Britain may seek to capitalise on the market in space travel and exploration by developing its own global satellite navigation system, potentially in partnership with countries as disparate as Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
UK to rival EU's Galileo space project by own satellite system Press TV 25 Apr 2018 -- Britain is considering setting up a satellite navigation system as a rival to the EU's €10bn Galileo project after being shut out of key elements of the program, a report says.
UK to Deploy Over 190 Servicemen for Decontamination in Salisbury - Military Sputnik 23 Apr 2018 -- UK Defense Secretary Gavin Williamson has pledged to deploy 192 service personnel to assist in decontaminating potentially affected sites in the UK town of Salisbury after the poisoning of former Russian intelligence officer Sergei Skripal, the Defense Ministry said Monday.
As Commonwealth Leaders Meet, Questions Over Purpose, Leadership VOA 20 Apr 2018 -- Leaders from around the world are gathered in London for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
Europe's largest military exercise gets under way in UK UK MOD 20 Apr 2018 -- Exercise Joint Warrior starts 21st April incorporating personnel from 17 nations
Defence Secretary launches £132m Scots sub-hunting aircraft home UK MOD 19 Apr 2018 -- Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson cut the first turf on a £132m facility for the UK's new fleet of submarine hunting Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) at RAF Lossiemouth today.
Chemical watchdog confirms UK findings on Salisbury nerve agent UN News 18 Apr 2018 -- A technical team sent by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to the site of an alleged chemical weapons attack in the United Kingdom has identified toxic agents consistent with the UK's initial investigation, the top United Nations disarmament official told the Security Council on Wednesday.
UK Military Facing Critical Skills Shortage - Report Sputnik 18 Apr 2018 -- Shortages in Britain's military capabilities result from deep budget cuts that threatens to hollow out Britain's status as a first-rate military power.
RAF's legendary Dambusters squadron reforms to fly F-35 jets UK MOD 18 Apr 2018 -- The squadron immortalised by the Dambusters raid of World War II has been reformed to fly the UK's new F-35 fighter jets, the Defence Secretary has announced.
UK and India commit to closer military ties UK MOD 18 Apr 2018 -- The UK and India will continue to strengthen their defence and security relationship, with the two countries working closer together than ever before to tackle terrorism and threats to cyber security.
Britain Launches 7 Probes into Impartiality of Russian Broadcaster RT VOA 18 Apr 2018 -- Britain's broadcast regulator has opened seven investigations into Russian state-owned RT television channel, citing an increase in potential violations of impartiality rules since the poisoning of a former Russian spy and his daughter.
OPCW Head Rejects Russian Claim About Presence Of Second Nerve Agent In Salisbury RFE/RL 18 Apr 2018 -- The head of the global chemical-weapons watchdog has rejected Russian claims that traces of a second nerve agent were discovered in the English city where a former Russian spy and his daughter were poisoned last month.
UK military embarrassed by lack of firepower in Syria attack Press TV 17 Apr 2018 -- Britain's lack of firepower in the recent US-led attack against Syria was "depressing" as it forced British military forces to play second fiddle to their French peers, military experts say.
Russia Dismisses Rare US-British Warning on Hackers VOA 17 Apr 2018 -- Russia has rejected allegations from the United States and Britain that Russian-backed hackers are escalating cyberattacks on American and British companies, government operations and infrastructure.
G7 Ministers Call For Russia's 'Full Disclosure' On Spy Poisoning In Britain RFE/RL 16 Apr 2018 -- The foreign ministers of the Group of Seven (G7) industrialized countries have called on Russia to provide "full and complete disclosure" about the poisoning of a former Russian double agent and his daughter in Britain last month.
UK reaffirms African military commitments after five-nation visit UK MOD 16 Apr 2018 -- UK troops will continue to stand at the forefront of the fight to bring prosperity and security to Africa, the Minister for Armed Forces has confirmed.
Britain's Theresa May Says Airstrikes on Syria in British National Interest VOA 16 Apr 2018 -- British Prime Minister Theresa May invoked the recent poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter in defending her decision to order British warplanes to take part in U.S.-led strikes against Syria without first seeking parliamentary approval.
Russia-Backed Hackers Accused Of Global Cyberattacks RFE/RL 16 Apr 2018 -- Russian state-sponsored hackers are seeking to hijack critical network infrastructure devices, U.S. and British intelligence agencies say.
US, Britain Issue Rare Joint Warning on Russian Hackers VOA 16 Apr 2018 -- The United States and Britain issued a rare and ominous alert Monday charging Russia of ramping up cyber attacks on American and British companies, government operations and infrastructure.
Britain: No Additional Syria Strikes for Now VOA 15 Apr 2018 -- Britain's foreign secretary says there are no plans to launch additional military strikes against Syria but his country and its allies will consider further action if Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad uses chemical weapons against his people in the future.
UK threatens further measures against Syria Press TV 15 Apr 2018 -- Britain's foreign minister says London will study the "options" with its allies if Syrian President Bashar al-Assad again uses chemical weapons.
Readout of President Donald J. Trump's Call with Prime Minister Theresa May of the United Kingdom The White House 14 Apr 2018
Trump says 'mission accomplished' after Syria airstrikes Press TV 14 Apr 2018 -- US President Donald Trump claims "mission accomplished" in last night's airstrikes on several targets in Syria, praising France and the United Kingdom for joining the United States in carrying out the military action.
U.S. attacks sites in Syria's Damascus People's Daily 14 Apr 2018 -- The United States started its military action against Syria's capital Damascus before daybreak Saturday as loud explosions were heard here with "red dots" seen flying from earth to the sky, reported Syrian state TV and Xinhua reporters in Damascus.
Trump, May, Macron: Air Strikes Against Syria Were 'Successful and Necessary' VOA 14 Apr 2018 -- U.S. President Donald Trump spoke by phone to the leaders of Britain and France about the joint air strikes the three nations launched on Syria Saturday morning.
US, Allies Tell UN: Syria Strikes Legal, Justified VOA 14 Apr 2018 -- The United States, Britain and France said Saturday that their military strike on Syrian chemical weapons storage and research facilities was legal and justified.
Allies See 'Serious Blow' to Syria's Chemical Arms VOA 14 Apr 2018 -- A U.S.-led coalition believes it sent a powerful message to Damascus and its backers, surgically slicing through the country's air defense systems to cripple the backbone of the Syrian government's chemical weapons apparatus.
Pentagon Officials Describe Syria Strikes, Hope Assad Gets Message AFPS 14 Apr 2018 -- The Syrian regime killed at least 45 people and sickened hundreds of others in a chemical weapons attack on Douma, Syria, April 7, and on April 13, U.S., British and French service members launched attacks that severely degraded the Syrian chemical arsenal and sent a message to Syrian leader Bashir Assad to stop using chemical weapons against his own people.
Department of Defense Press Briefing by Pentagon Chief Spokesperson Dana W. White and Joint Staff Director Lt. Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr. in the Pentagon Briefing Room DoD 14 Apr 2018 -- Presenter: Pentagon Chief Spokesperson Dana W. White; Joint Staff Director Lieutenant General Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr.
RAF jets strike chemical weapon facility in Syria UK MOD 14 Apr 2018 -- British forces joined close Allies in a precision strike on Syrian installations
UK PM Theresa May, France's Macron Authorize Strikes on Syria Sputnik 14 Apr 2018 -- UK Prime Minister Theresa May says she have authorised British armed forces to conduct coordinated and targeted strikes to "degrade the Syrian regime's chemical weapons capability and deter their use." Her statement has been followed by that of French President Emmanuel Macron.
U.S., Allies Strike Syrian Targets in Response to Regime's Chemical Attacks AFPS 13 Apr 2018 -- U.S., French and British forces have struck targets in Syria as punishment for Syrian leader Bashar Assad using chemical weapons against his own people.
Mattis, Dunford Detail Attacks on Syrian Chemical Arsenal AFPS 13 Apr 2018 -- U.S., British and French air and naval forces launched attacks against the Syrian government's chemical weapon arsenal in retaliation for the use of such weapons on civilians, Defense Secretary James N. Mattis and Marine Corps Gen. Joe Dunford, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said at a Pentagon news conference tonight.
Statement by Secretary James N. Mattis on Syria DoD 13 Apr 2018
Briefing by Secretary Mattis on U.S. Strikes in Syria DoD 13 Apr 2018 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis; Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Joseph F. Dunford; Pentagon Chief Spokesperson Dana W. White
Trump: US, Allies Launch Strike Against Syria's Chemical Weapons VOA 13 Apr 2018 -- President Trump announced Friday night "a combined operation" by the U.S., France and Britain against the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Britain says Russia spied on Skripals for five years before attack Press TV 13 Apr 2018 -- Britain says Russian intelligence agencies were spying on former double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia, for at least five years before poisoning them in a nerve agent attack.
Britain Says Russia Spied On Skripals For Years Before Poisoning RFE/RL 13 Apr 2018 -- Russian intelligence agencies had been spying on Sergei and Yulia Skripal for at least five years before they were poisoned with a nerve agent, Britain's National Security Adviser Mark Sedwill said on April 13.
Security in the Gulf is vital to keeping Britain safe UK MOD 12 Apr 2018 -- Standing side by side with our Gulf partners against mutual threats not only improves regional security and stability, but keeps our people safe at home, the Defence Secretary reaffirmed in his first visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Oman.
UK prime minister calls war cabinet meeting over Syria military action Press TV 12 Apr 2018 -- UK Prime Minister Theresa May is due to convene a special "war cabinet" on Thursday to seek approval for possible military action against the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, British media have reported.
UK Cabinet 'Agreed on Need To Take Action' in Syria Sputnik 12 Apr 2018 -- According to a new statement from Downing Street, the United Kingdom's prime minister and top-level advisers "agreed on the need to take action to alleviate humanitarian distress and to deter the further use of chemical weapons by the Assad regime."
OPCW's poisoning report may be part of UK agenda to discredit Russia: Zakharova Press TV 12 Apr 2018 -- Moscow has cast doubt on authenticity of a report by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) on the poisoning of a Soviet-era spy in the UK, saying it may be part of Britain's agenda to harm Russia's reputation.
OPCW Confirms Skripals Poisoned With Novichok - Reports Sputnik 12 Apr 2018 -- As London continue to accuse Moscow of orchestrating the poisoning of a former Russian spy despite the lack of evidence to back up this claim, with the UK and a number of other states expelling Russian diplomats over the matter, the OPCW moves in to deliver a verdict of its own.
Labs Confirm Nerve Agent Used on Russian Ex-Spy, Daughter VOA 12 Apr 2018 -- Four laboratories linked to the international chemical weapons watchdog have confirmed Britain's findings that a nerve agent was used last month to poison a former Russian spy and his daughter.
Royal Navy ships fulfil international duty in Asia Pacific UK MOD 11 Apr 2018 -- The UK has sent a third Royal Navy warship to the Asia-Pacific to support allies in the region.
British Army's rifle set for multi-million-pound upgrade UK MOD 11 Apr 2018 -- The Ministry of Defence is upgrading the British Army's standard combat rifle to ensure troops are equipped with the best possible battle-winning kit, Defence Minister Guto Bebb has announced.
UK sends 3rd navy ship to Asia-Pacific to monitor N Korea Press TV 11 Apr 2018 -- The United Kingdom is deploying a third navy warship to Asia-Pacific in order to monitor North Korea amid diplomatic tensions with Pyongyang over its ballistic missile and nuclear weapons programs.
Britain Sends Third Warship to North Korean Coast As Tensions Heat Up - Reports Sputnik 11 Apr 2018 -- Western countries and their key Asian allies have deployed naval forces to areas including the Yellow Sea to enforce the trade embargo imposed on North Korea by the UN Security Council over its nuclear and missile programs.
Theresa May Blames Syrian Government for Alleged Chemical Attack Sputnik 11 Apr 2018 -- The comments by UK Prime Minister Theresa May were made off the back of US President Donald Trump warning via Twitter that American missiles will hit Syria in retaliation to an alleged chemical attack over the weekend. Damascus and Moscow insist that the incident is a false flag attack and have warned the US against striking Syria.
May Ready to Allow UK Participation in Airstrikes in Syria - Reports Sputnik 11 Apr 2018 -- Despite the fact that the alleged chemical attack in Syria's Douma, blamed on Damascus, still lacks any reliable evidence, Theresa May is reportedly ready to take action to prevent another one.
UK Submarines Sent Within Missile Range of Syria for Strikes - Report Sputnik 11 Apr 2018 -- According to the UK's Daily Telegraph newspaper, British submarines have been ordered to move within missile range of Syria, as strikes against the Assad regime are expected as early as Thursday night.
Readout of President Donald J. Trump's Call with Prime Minister Theresa May of The United Kingdom The White House 10 Apr 2018
Poisoned ex-spy's daughter released from UK hospital Press TV 10 Apr 2018 -- Former Russian double-agent Sergei Skripal's daughter, Yulia, has been released from the hospital after surviving a poisoning attack in Salisbury last month.
Poison Victim Yulia Skripal Discharged From U.K. Hospital RFE/RL 10 Apr 2018 -- Yulia Skripal, the poisoned daughter of a Russian former spy, has been discharged from a hospital in the English city of Salisbury.
Poisoned Daughter of Ex-Russian Spy Released from British Hospital VOA 10 Apr 2018 -- Yulia Skripal has been released from a British hospital after she and her father – former Russian spy Sergei Skripal – were poisoned last month.
Skripal case attack on Russia's international role: Moscow's UN envoy Press TV 09 Apr 2018 -- Moscow's envoy to the United Nations has slammed the anti-Russia claims in the Skripal poisoning case as an "attack" against his country's role on the international stage, especially its Syria peace efforts.
UK considering sending Skripal, his daughter to US: Report Press TV 08 Apr 2018 -- The UK is considering the option of sending poisoned Russian ex-spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia to the United States with new identities.
Report: Britain Considering Giving Skripals 'New Identities' RFE/RL 08 Apr 2018 -- Britain's Sunday Times newspaper is reporting that the country is considering offering Russian former spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter new identities and a new life in the United States to protect them from further attempts on their life.
UK MI-6 Discussed With FBI Skripals' Moving to US Under New Identities - Reports Sputnik 08 Apr 2018 -- Yulia and Sergei Skripal have reportedly been conscious for several days, while British intelligence is hoping for their assistance in the investigation of the poisoning case as soon as possible.
Johnson Calls Corbyn 'Kremlin's Useful Idiot' Due to Stance on Skripal Case Sputnik 08 Apr 2018 -- UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson called Sunday UK Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn a "Kremlin's useful idiot," commenting on his position in regards to the recent poisoning of the former Russian intelligence officer Sergei Skripal and his daughter, as Corbyn had expressed doubts about Russia's responsibility for the incident.e
Russian Envoy Requests Meeting with Boris Johnson Over Spy Case RFE/RL 07 Apr 2018 -- Russia's embassy in London has requested a meeting with British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson over the poisoning of a former Russian spy in Salisbury, saying its dealings with Britain over the issue had been "utterly unsatisfactory."
Russia Denies Report Nerve Agent Used Against Ex-Spy Came From Volga Lab RFE/RL 07 Apr 2018 -- Russian officials are denying a British newspaper report that the nerve agent used against a former Russian spy in England came from a closed military facility on the Volga River.
Ex-spy Sergei Skripal out of critical condition: hospital Press TV 06 Apr 2018 -- Former Russian spy Sergei Skripal, 66, who the UK says was probably poisoned by Russians, has come out of critical care.
UK playing with fire in Russian double-agent case: UN envoy Press TV 06 Apr 2018 -- Russia has warned Britain that it "will be sorry" for falsely accusing Moscow of carrying out a chemical attack against a former double-agent.
Ex-Spy Skripal 'Improving Rapidly' After Nerve-Agent Poisoning RFE/RL 06 Apr 2018 -- Former Russian spy Sergei Skripal is no longer in critical condition and is "improving rapidly" just over one month after being exposed to a potent nerve agent, hospital staff in England say.
Sergei Skripal Out of Critical Condition, Responding to Treatment - Hospital Sputnik 06 Apr 2018 -- A Salisbury Hospital official has confirmed that the ex-spy, who was poisoned in a chemical attack in southern England last month, is recovering.
UK opens permanent naval base in Bahrain Press TV 06 Apr 2018 -- The UK has officially opened a permanent military base in the Persian Gulf country of Bahrain, making a military return to the region after a hiatus that lasted more than four decades.
UK Opens Persian Gulf Naval Base in Bahrain That Will Accomodate Over 300 Troops Sputnik 06 Apr 2018 -- The United Kingdom has launched a naval base in Bahrain, which will become a key site for the Royal Navy's activities in the Persian Gulf, the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean, the UK Ministry of Defence said in a statement on Thursday.
North Korea soon to have missiles that can hit UK cities: MPs Press TV 05 Apr 2018 -- North Korea is less than two years away from developing missile technology that will allow it to hit targets across the UK, some British Members of Parliament have warned in a report.
New Royal Navy operations hub opens in Gulf UK MOD 05 Apr 2018 -- Britain has cemented its enhanced and permanent presence in the Gulf with the opening of the United Kingdom Naval Support Facility at a ceremony at Mina Salman port in Bahrain today.
British Left to Defend Poison Allegations After Missteps VOA 05 Apr 2018 -- Sixty U.S. diplomats expelled by the Kremlin in the escalating dispute over the poisoning of a former Russian spy and his daughter in Britain were seen leaving the U.S. embassy in Moscow Thursday.
Poisoned Daughter of Russian Ex-Spy Says She Is Recovering Quickly VOA 05 Apr 2018 -- The poisoned daughter of a former Russian spy attacked with a nerve agent in Britain says she is recovering quickly.
Yulia Skripal Says Strength 'Growing Daily,' Doesn't Reply To Russian Embassy Offer RFE/RL 05 Apr 2018 -- London's Metropolitan Police Service has issued a statement on behalf of Yulia Skripal, who fell ill last month in Britain after exposure to a nerve agent, quoting her as saying her strength "is growing daily" and that the entire poisoning incident has been "somewhat disorientating."
Russia Takes Skripal Poisoning Case Before UN Security Council RFE/RL 05 Apr 2018 -- Russia takes its case before the UN Security Council on April 5, calling for an international investigation into the poisoning of a former Russian spy in Britain one day after losing a bid to be part of a joint investigation by the global chemical weapons watchdog.
United Kingdom - MQ-9 Continuing Contractor Logistics Support DSCA 04 Apr 2018 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the United Kingdom of defense articles and services for continued follow-on support to the MQ-9 Reaper program for an estimated cost of $500 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
Update: air strikes against Daesh UK MOD 04 Apr 2018 -- The RAF are continuing to take the fight to Daesh in Syria.
Russia urges UN Security Council meeting on British accusation about poisoning attack Press TV 04 Apr 2018 -- Russia has called on the United Nations Security Council to hold a meeting to discuss Britain's accusation that Russia was involved in the poisoning last month in Britain of a former Russian spy, an incident which has badly affected ties between Moscow and the West.
Russia Loses Vote By Chemical-Weapons Watchdog Over New U.K. Poisoning Probe RFE/RL 04 Apr 2018 -- Russia has lost a vote by the global chemical weapons watchdog for a new joint investigation, including Russian participation, into a nerve-agent attack against a former Russian spy in England, a diplomatic source has told Reuters.
US Confident in UK's Assessment of Salisbury Attack After Defense Lab Report Sputnik 04 Apr 2018 -- The US is fully confident in the United Kingdom's assessment of the poisoning of former Russian agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter in Salisbury, after the announcement by the UK government's Defense Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) at Porton Down, a US Department of State official told Sputnik on Wednesday.
OPCW to Receive Results of Sample Analysis in Skripal Case by Next Week Sputnik 04 Apr 2018 -- Ahmet Uzumcu, the Director-General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, said Wednesday that the results of the sample analyses of the substance used to poison former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter in the United Kingdom, were expected to be received by early next week.
Russia's Offer for Joint Probe Into Skripal Case 'Perverse' - UK OPCW Delegation Sputnik 04 Apr 2018 -- The UK delegation to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons called the Wednesday Russia's proposal for a joint investigation into the poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal in the United Kingdom "perverse."
Russia Responds to Hungary Over Skripal Case: One Diplomat Expelled Sputnik 04 Apr 2018 -- Hungary is among the countries that have decided to join the UK in expelling Russian diplomats, hence why Moscow reserved the right to respond to Hungary's actions over the Skripal poisoning.
Russia Expels One Belgian Diplomat in Response Over Skripal Case Sputnik 04 Apr 2018 -- Moscow's reciprocal move comes after a number of European countries, as well as the US, Canada and Australia decided to remove Russian diplomatic staff in solidarity with the UK, which groundlessly blamed the poisoning of ex-Russian intelligence officer Skripal on Russia.
Putin Says Hopes Watchdog Will Help Defuse Diplomatic Row Over Poisonings RFE/RL 04 Apr 2018 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has said he hopes a meeting of the global chemical weapons watchdog on April 4 will help to defuse a major diplomatic row that arose over the poisoning of a former Russian spy in England.
British Lab Not Identified 'Precise Source' Of Nerve Agent, But Attack Likely By 'State Actor' RFE/RL 03 Apr 2018 -- The chief executive of Britain's Porton Down defense laboratory says his scientists have not verified the "precise source" of the nerve agent used to poison the former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter -- explaining that it was not the task of his laboratory to do so.
Chemical Weapons Watchdog To Discuss Skripal Poisoning Case RFE/RL 03 Apr 2018 -- The international chemical weapons watchdog is set to meet on April 4 to discuss Britain's allegations against Russia over the poisoning of an ex-Russian double agent in England last month.
Russian Foreign Minister: U.K., U.S. Spreading 'Lies And Disinformation' RFE/RL 02 Apr 2018 -- Russia's top diplomat has accused the United States and Britain of spreading "lies and disinformation" about the nerve-agent poisoning of an ex-Russian double agent in England last month.
Russian Foreign Ministry Releases 13 Questions Addressed to OPCW on Skripal Case Sputnik 01 Apr 2018 -- Earlier, Moscow had sent the two sets of questions regarding the "fabricated" Skripal case to the authorities of the United Kingdom and France

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April 2018 - United Kingdom Special Weapons News