Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)
February 2019 - United Kingdom Special Weapons News
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- May wins two-week Brexit reprieve from MPs Press TV 28 Feb 2019 -- British lawmakers have granted Prime Minister Theresa May a two-week reprieve, postponing their threatened rebellion aimed at blocking a no-deal Brexit after she agreed to a possible delay to Britain's departure from the EU.
- Defence Secretary announces five-year plan for key military sites UK MOD 28 Feb 2019 -- Today's update to the Defence Optimisation Programme provides new details on 33 military sites.
- RAF Brize Norton hosts inaugural UK-Germany Defence Ministerial Council UK MOD 28 Feb 2019 -- RAF Brize Norton played host to discussions between the two NATO allies on co-operation on areas ranging from Baltic Air Policing to countering nefarious cyber activity.
- UK, US join countries opposing Russia's plan to expand ban on deadly chemicals Press TV 26 Feb 2019 -- Britain, the United States and 18 other members of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) have voted down a proposal by Russia to add a broad array of deadly agents to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) arms control treaty.
- British PM allows parliament vote on Brexit delay Press TV 26 Feb 2019 -- British Prime Minister Theresa May has finally bowed to pressures in the parliament for allowing a delay to the country's planned withdrawal from the European Union.
- The Foreign Secretary's call with Indian and Pakistan Foreign Ministers UK FCO 25 Feb 2019 -- On 25 February, the Foreign Secretary had calls with Indian Minister of External Affairs, Sushma Swaraj and the Pakistani Minister of Foreign Affairs, Shah Mehmood Qureshi.
- UK Must 'Rapidly' Cede Control of Chagos Islands - UN Court Sputnik 25 Feb 2019 -- In a landmark ruling, the International Court of Justice had ruled "the UK has an obligation to bring to an end its administration of the Chagos archipelago as rapidly as possible, and all member states must cooperate with the United Nations to complete the decolonization of Mauritius".
- Update: air strikes against Daesh UK MOD 25 Feb 2019 -- The RAF are continuing to take the fight to Daesh in Syria.
- Defence Secretary Announces £235 Million Submarine Nuclear Propulsion Deal UK MOD 25 Feb 2019 -- Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson has awarded a £235m contract to support nuclear propulsion systems and revealed the name of the third Dreadnought submarine.
- New UK aid to feed millions of people in Yemen UK FCO 24 Feb 2019 -- The UK is stepping up its humanitarian support to help millions of people at risk of starvation in Yemen, the Prime Minister announced today.
- UK PM delays final parliament vote on Brexit deal Press TV 24 Feb 2019 -- British Prime Minister Theresa May has announced that a meaningful vote in the parliament on her European Union (EU) withdrawal agreement will not be held next week as it had been expected by the British lawmakers.
- UK's SAS Fought in Syria Skirting Parliament's Decision, Military Admits Sputnik 24 Feb 2019 -- Back in 2015, when the British parliament was deciding on the country's participation in a US-coalition it allowed the use of its air forces in the Arab state, but never authorised boots on the ground.
- Update: air strikes against Daesh UK MOD 22 Feb 2019 -- The RAF are continuing to take the fight to Daesh in Syria.
- China allows visit after UK renounces warship deployment Press TV 22 Feb 2019 -- China has reversed its decision to cancel trade talks with the UK after British Finance Minister Philip Hammond criticized London's military plans for the deployment of a British warship in the Pacific.
- UK military flight training heads towards new heights UK MOD 22 Feb 2019 -- The first flight of the Texan T1 state-of-the-art training aircraft has been completed at RAF Valley.
- UK and Oman sign historic Joint Defence Agreement UK MOD 21 Feb 2019 -- The UK and Oman have signed a new Joint Defence Agreement (JDA), signifying Britain's commitment to security in the Gulf for years to come.
- UK-China ties hurt by defense secretary's threats: Chancellor Press TV 21 Feb 2019 -- Britain's Chancellor of Exchequer Philip Hammond has criticized the country's defense chief for irritating China with a series of military threats, saying London should adopt a milder tone vis-à-vis Beijing as it seeks better economic ties with the Chinese after Britain's withdrawal from the European Union.
- EU warns UK chances of no-deal Brexit have risen Press TV 21 Feb 2019 -- The deputy head of the European Commission has warned that the risk for Britain leaving the bloc in a disorderly manner at the end of March has increased significantly despite efforts by London to secure a divorce deal signed in November.
- Britain and Germany: an alliance of values UK FCO 20 Feb 2019 -- Speech by the Foreign Secretary to the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, Berlin.
- U.S., British Navies Conduct Maritime Security Drills NNS 20 Feb 2019 -- U.S. Navy fleet replenishment oiler USNS Guadalupe (T-AO 200) and Royal Navy frigate HMS Montrose (F236) conducted Feb. 18 maritime security and logistics training in the South China Sea.
- UK Foreign Secretary Warns Germany Over Stop in Arms Sales to Saudis – Reports Sputnik 20 Feb 2019 -- UK Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt has slammed Berlin's embargo on arms sales to Saudi Arabia for hurting British exports, in a letter to his German counterpart seen by media.
- UK lashes out at Germany over Saudi arms sales ban Press TV 20 Feb 2019 -- Britain has strongly objected to Germany's recent decision to bar arms and military cooperation deals with Saudi Arabia, warning that the new policy damages Berlin's security commitments while adversely affecting the British military industry.
- Tensions flare-up between UK and Spanish navies at Gibraltar Press TV 18 Feb 2019 -- A British Royal Navy ship has been deployed to waters off Gibraltar to respond to an alleged violation of UK sovereignty over the Mediterranean territory by a Spanish warship.
- Spike in Gibraltar Tensions as Spanish Ship Orders Vessels to Leave UK Waters Sputnik 18 Feb 2019 -- Royal Navy ships have been deployed in response to the incident, which was described as a "foolish game" by a spokesperson for the government of Gibraltar, a British overseas territory. The incident comes amid UK-Spanish tensions over Gibraltar which have reached a fever-pitch as the 29 March date for Brexit approaches.
- UK Announces Arctic Military Buildup to Counter Russia's Activities - Reports Sputnik 18 Feb 2019 -- UK Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson announced on Sunday the increase in the country's military presence in the Arctic to counter Russia's activities in the region.
- UK Military to Introduce Swarm Drones 'By End of the Year' – Defense Minister Sputnik 18 Feb 2019 -- Experts believe, however, that the Minister is too optimistic in his time estimation, saying drone swarms are years from becoming a reality.
- The Minister for Europe meets Russian First Deputy Foreign Minister UK FCO 16 Feb 2019 -- Sir Alan Duncan meets Vladimir Titov at Munich Security Conference.
- Foreign Secretary statement on the Republic of North Macedonia UK FCO 16 Feb 2019 -- A statement from the Foreign Secretary on the Prespa Agreement between Greece and Macedonia entering into force.
- Lavrov Slams U.K.'s Williamson As 'Minister Of War' RFE/RL 16 Feb 2019 -- A day after accusing Russia of trying to "goad the West," British Defense Minister Gavin Williamson has been labeled the "minister of war" by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
- British Defense Chief Tells Russia To Stop 'Trying To Goad' West RFE/RL 16 Feb 2019 -- Britain's defense minister has accused Russia of "trying to goad the West into a new arms race" and he urged Moscow to reset its relations with the West through dialogue.
- Third Russian named as suspect in UK spy poisoning case Press TV 16 Feb 2019 -- European security sources have confirmed that a third Russian national has been identified by investigators in Britain as a suspect in a case related to the poisoning of a former Russian spy in southern England last year.
- UK Carrier's First Mission Will Carry US F-35s Through Middle East, Pacific Sputnik 14 Feb 2019 -- The UK Royal Navy's newest aircraft carrier will go on its first mission this year through the disputed South China Sea, carrying US F-35 aircraft, the British Defence Secretary said this week.
- Readout of Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick M. Shanahan's Meeting With UK Secretary of State for Defence Gavin Williamson DoD 13 Feb 2019
- Apache and Wildcat to touch down in Estonia as UK bolsters its commitment to NATO UK MOD 13 Feb 2019 -- Wildcat and Apache helicopters will be deployed to Estonia this year, Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson announced at a meeting of NATO Defence Ministers in Brussels.
- UK's May rules out parliament should accept her Brexit deal or face delay Press TV 13 Feb 2019 -- British Prime Minister Theresa May has played down rumors that her government would give into a long delay for UK's withdrawal from the European Union if a draft Brexit deal is not accepted in the parliament.
- UK to deploy 'drone swarms' to beat Chinese, Russian air defenses: Williamson Press TV 12 Feb 2019 -- British Defense Secretary Gavin Williamson says the country is planning to develop and deploy swarms of special drones to overwhelm enemy air defenses, a move that sources say is directly aimed at confronting Russia and China as London plans to expand its presence in the Pacific region after leaving the European Union (EU).
- UK wins global F-35 support assignment worth £500M UK MOD 12 Feb 2019 -- The UK's role as a leading partner on the global F-35 programme has received another huge boost today.
- Gavin Williamson sets out vision for defence in Global Britain UK MOD 11 Feb 2019 -- Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson has outlined the future role of the UK's Armed Forces in a speech at RUSI today.
- Defence in Global Britain UK MOD 11 Feb 2019 -- Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson gave a speech at RUSI outlining the future direction of the UK Armed Forces.
- Post-Brexit UK should be ready to use 'hard power': Defense minister Press TV 11 Feb 2019 -- The United Kingdom should be able to use military force to defend its global interests after leaving the European Union, Defense Minister Gavin Williamson will say on Monday.
- British Defense Chief Urges Bolstering Military Post-Brexit, Warns Russia Of 'Costs' RFE/RL 11 Feb 2019 -- Britain's defense minister says the country should bolster its military capabilities after Brexit and warned that Russia should be aware that actions deemed unacceptable by the West will "come at a cost."
- 'Kid in a Tank Shop': Britain's Def Secretary Wants to 'Enhance UK's Lethality' Sputnik 11 Feb 2019 -- Gavin Williamson has made some new proposals regarding the UK's global military prowess. He only needs to secure £7 billion for them to work.
- Defence Minister to Say Post-Brexit UK Should Increase Its 'Lethality' – Reports Sputnik 11 Feb 2019 -- Britain should be ready to use military force in order to defend its global interests after Brexit, according to extracts from a speech defence minister Gavin Williamson will give on Monday.
- UK to Send Carrier to Pacific Ocean in Show of 'Hard Power' to China – Report Sputnik 11 Feb 2019 -- Later in the day, UK Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson will speak at the Royal United Services Institute in London, where he is due to unveil his plans for the modernisation of the country's armed forces, which he will say should increase its "mass and lethality".
- Alleged Third Suspect in Skripal Case Visited Bulgaria in 2015 - Prosecutor Sputnik 11 Feb 2019 -- Bulgaria's Prosecutor General Sotir Tsatsarov has said that a third suspect in the Salisbury incident had paid three visits to Bulgaria in 2015, including when Bulgarian businessman Emilian Gebrev was presumably poisoned.
- Bulgarian Prime Minister, British Envoy Discuss Links Between Skripal, Gebrev Cases RFE/RL 11 Feb 2019 -- The British ambassador to Sofia has discussed with top Bulgarian officials possible links between the 2015 poisoning of a local businessman in Bulgaria and last year's nerve-agent attack on a former Russian spy in Britain.
- UK PM to drag Brexit debate until end of February Press TV 10 Feb 2019 -- British Prime Minister Theresa May is expected to delay a final vote of the parliament on her European Union withdrawal agreement until the end of February, a move the opposition says will only run the clock down.
- UK Sends Fleet of Apaches to Arctic as Message to 'Whole Range of Adversaries' Sputnik 10 Feb 2019 -- In late September 2018, British Defence Minister Gavin Williamson unveiled the country's new Defence Arctic Strategy, citing ever-increasing threats in the region and Russia's alleged attempts to militarise it.
- Bulgaria Set To Probe Report Of Third Skripal Suspect RFE/RL 09 Feb 2019 -- Bulgarian officials say they will investigate reports that a third suspect in the 2018 nerve-agent attack on a former Russian spy in Britain may have also been involved in a 2015 poisoning in Bulgaria.
- 'Minor Player': New Report Sounds the Death Knell for Britain's Arms Market Sputnik 08 Feb 2019 -- A barrage of reports have been released over the past few years documenting the crumbling state of Britain's military. In April 2018 a National Audit Office report delivered the doom-laden finding that the UK was experiencing the "largest gap in a decade" in military personnel numbers.
- Mystery In Sofia: Did 'Third Russian Agent' In Skripal Poisoning Target Bulgarian Businessman? RFE/RL 08 Feb 2019 -- A third suspect in the 2018 nerve agent attack on a former Russian spy in Britain was also in Bulgaria three years earlier at the time of another suspicious poisoning, according to the open-source investigative organization Bellingcat.
- Media Claims UK Police Investigating Total of 5 Russians in Salisbury Case Sputnik 08 Feb 2019 -- The UK police have identified two more Russian nationals suspected of involvement in the Salisbury poisoning incident, bringing the total number of suspects to five, local media reported, citing senior security sources.
- UK's May planning to delay second Brexit vote: Report Press TV 07 Feb 2019 -- British Prime Minister Theresa May has reportedly decided to delay next week's parliamentary vote on her Brexit deal out of fears that she will not be able to renegotiate a deal with the European Union (EU) by then.
- Juncker Rules Out EU Reopening Withdrawal Agreement at Meeting With UK PM May Sputnik 07 Feb 2019 -- European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker ruled out at the meeting with UK Prime Minister Theresa May that the bloc may renegotiate the withdrawal agreement with London, the European Commission said in a statement, adding that the two senior officials would meet before the end of February to sum up the Brexit discussions.
- Tiny UK Royal Navy Vessel Chases Spanish Warship Away From Gibraltar Sputnik 06 Feb 2019 -- As it passed into territorial waters the Spanish national anthem could be heard over a maritime communications frequency. Gibraltar, located on the southern coast of Spain, has been a British Overseas Territory since 1713, when Spain ceded it to the United Kingdom under The Treaty of Utrecht.
- UK Cabinet Secretly Weighs Eight-Week Brexit Delay - Reports Sputnik 06 Feb 2019 -- British Cabinet ministers have held secret talks on how to delay the United Kingdom's departure from the European Union, presently scheduled for March 29, British paper The Telegraph reported Tuesday night. The deal they seek would push Brexit back to May 24.
- The end of an era: RAF Tornado returns from operations for the last time UK MOD 05 Feb 2019 -- After almost 40 years serving the UK on military operations across the world, iconic RAF Tornado jets have returned home for the last time.
- Senior EU officials reject any compromise on Brexit deal, thwart May's push for settlement Press TV 05 Feb 2019 -- Senior European Union officials have rejected any possible compromise on the already agreed Brexit Withdrawal Agreement, countering British Prime Minister Theresa May's push for new negotiations.
- British Army tests innovative virtual reality training UK MOD 04 Feb 2019 -- The British Army has awarded a software developer a £1m contract to explore how virtual reality can be integrated into soldier training.
- New fast jet training takes off UK MOD 04 Feb 2019 -- The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier, has opened the High-G training and test facility at RAF Cranwell today.
- Fears of Street Riots as British Economy Takes Brexit Hit VOA 04 Feb 2019 -- British lawmakers are debating new proposals on the European Union Withdrawal Agreement this week, amid a series of stark warnings over the consequences of Britain crashing out with no deal on 29 March.
- UK Wants to Bring 'Peace, Democracy' to Venezuela Via Sanctions – PM's Spokesman Sputnik 04 Feb 2019 -- Ten European countries, including the United Kingdom, recognised opposition leader Juan Guaido's attempt to seize power in Venezuela on Monday, joining the United States, Canada, and US allies in Latin America in calling for democratically elected President Nicolas Maduro to step down.
- UK recognises Juan Guaido as interim President of Venezuela UK FCO 04 Feb 2019 -- Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt gave a statement on the UK recognising Juan Guaido as the constitutional interim President of Venezuela.
- UK accuses EU of acting irresponsibly on Brexit Press TV 03 Feb 2019 -- UK trade secretary Liam Fox says the European Union's refusal to renegotiate a divorce agreement is a sign the bloc is becoming "irresponsible" in its way of treating the issue of Brexit.
- May Vows to 'Battle for Britain and N Ireland' in Brussels to Avoid Hard Border Sputnik 03 Feb 2019 -- Earlier, EU leaders ruled out further Brexit talks, with the European Council insisting that Brussels' current deal with London on the UK's withdrawal from the bloc remains the "best and only way" for an orderly Brexit.
- Britain irked by EU's designation of Gibraltar as 'colony' Press TV 02 Feb 2019 -- The UK government has been irked by the European Union's designation of the Mediterranean port of Gibraltar as a British 'colony' as new hostilities emerge between London and Brussels in the midst a controversial Brexit process.
- Two injured in fresh separatist attacks in UK's Northern Ireland province Press TV 02 Feb 2019 -- Police in the UK province of Northern Ireland say two men were shot and wounded in "paramilitary style attacks" which was later claimed by a group calling itself the Irish Republican Army (IRA).
- May's Brexit deal stumbles as EU refuses to renegotiate People's Daily 01 Feb 2019 -- British Members of Parliament (MPs) signaled their support for Prime Minister Theresa May's revised Brexit deal, but the European Union (EU) said it won't consider it.
- 'Repeated Offender': British MPs Slam Defence Ministry for Poor Money Management Sputnik 01 Feb 2019 -- An affordability gap of £7 billion between the Department's budget and what it actually plans to spend over the next ten years has been identified, and according to a new report, the MoD has been failing taxpayers.
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