@DefenceHQ

Secure at home and strong abroad. Official X channel for UK Ministry of Defence.

 London UK
gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-defence
Joined September 2008
  • Tweets39K
  • Following668
  • Followers799K
14.9KMedia
Oman is key to UK security and stability in the Gulf, including through joint military exercises. Defence Secretary @wesstreeting met Omani counterpart His Highness Shihab bin Tarik Al Said in London today to discuss closer defence ties. 🇬🇧🤝🇴🇲
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Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 retweeted
Assistant Secretary of War Mike Dodd
@ASWCTDoddFather17h
Deterrence in the Indo-Pacific requires real, deployable lethality. Watch my recap from Maritime Big Play Pacific DVDay on how #AUKUS is taking advanced autonomous capabilities from the lab straight to our operators.
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Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 retweeted
Wales Office
@WalesOfficeOct 21
Today, we remember the terrible tragedy of the Aberfan disaster and the 144 lives lost on 21 October 1966. Heddiw, rydyn ni'n cofio trasiedi ofnadwy trychineb Aberfan a'r 144 bywydau a gollwyd ar 21 Hydref 1966.
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The Houthi attacks on our ally Saudi Arabia are dangerous for the region. Today @wesstreeting approved further UK military support for Saudi Arabia. RAF Typhoons will fly defensive air missions to protect Saudi airspace from drones and missiles. This builds on the air defence and air-to-air refueling support we have already provided. Video credit: @BBCNews
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Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 retweeted
Office for Veterans' Affairs@VeteransGovUKOct 20
Your questions answered! Minister for Veterans and People Calvin Bailey sits down with Northern Ireland veteran Jonny Ball to find out how the changes to The Northern Ireland Troubles Bill strengthen protections for veterans. m.youtube.com/watch?v=CgRAFr…

What's happening with the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill?

Northern Ireland veteran Jonny Ball speaks to the Minister for Vete...

youtube.com
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Defending the nation is the Government's first responsibility. Defence Secretary @WesStreeting in Parliament today 👇
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Three nations, one shared mission. The AUKUS programme is a cornerstone of defence for the 🇬🇧, 🇦🇺 & 🇺🇸. Maritime Big Play is now underway in San Diego and will showcase how all three partner nations can integrate, coordinate and fight together across the entire maritime domain.
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Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 retweeted
Chief of the Defence Staff@UKCDS_MODOct 19
The thoughts of the entire UK Armed Forces are with our Canadian allies at this incredibly difficult time. We stand with you today - as ever - as the closest of partners and friends.
General / Générale Jennie Carignan
@CDS_Canada_CEMDOct 19
It is with great sadness that we mourn the loss of Sergeant Morgan Wong, Private Shaun Farrell, Private Aidan Goulding, and Private Hayden Lykkemark. On behalf of all our members, I extend my deepest condolences to their families, friends and colleagues.
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Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 retweeted
Wes Streeting
@wesstreetingOct 18
My deepest condolences to all those mourning the Canadian Armed Forces personnel who tragically lost their lives at the base in Wainwright - and with those who have suffered injuries during this terrible incident. To our Canadian friends - we stand with you and grieve with you. 🇬🇧🇨🇦
David McGuinty
@DavidMcGuintyOct 18
I am on my way to Edmonton. I will get briefed on the latest developments regarding the terrible incident that occurred at CFB Wainwright. The Department of National Defence continues to work closely with the Government of Alberta and local authorities. Thank you to first responders, Canadian Armed Forces members, and provincial officials for their efforts. To the families and everyone in Wainwright: Canada stands with you.
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Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 retweeted
Wes Streeting
@wesstreetingOct 16
The gravest dangers of the 20th century are returning, armed with the technologies of the 21st. The UK and US will strengthen our capabilities, our industries and our alliance to build our future together 🇬🇧 🤝 🇺🇸
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Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine - 16 October 2026. Find out more about Defence Intelligence's use of language: ow.ly/qq4L50ZUQti #StandWithUkraine
Over the course of one week, Russia suffered three tactical and strategic aircraft losses. These airframes have been involved in strike campaigns against Ukraine. On 29 September 2026 Russia's Long Range Aviation fleet lost one of its workhorse Tu-95MS BEAR H on a training flight shortly after take-off in eastern Russia. The BEAR H suffered multiple engine failures before crashing. These aircraft have been used extensively to strike Ukraine over the course of the conflict, almost certainly creating a significant maintenance burden on the fleet. On 04 October 2026, a Ukrainian one-way attack uncrewed aerial vehicle strike destroyed a Su-35S FLANKER M multi-role fighter and Su-34 FULLBACK fighter-bomber and a munitions depot at Khanskaya airbase, Russia, 500km from Ukraine. FULLBACK aircraft are used on daily operations to launch glide munitions into Ukraine.

ALT Over the course of one week, Russia suffered three tactical and strategic aircraft losses. These airframes have been involved in strike campaigns against Ukraine. On 29 September 2026 Russia's Long Range Aviation fleet lost one of its workhorse Tu-95MS BEAR H on a training flight shortly after take-off in eastern Russia. The BEAR H suffered multiple engine failures before crashing. These aircraft have been used extensively to strike Ukraine over the course of the conflict, almost certainly creating a significant maintenance burden on the fleet. On 04 October 2026, a Ukrainian one-way attack uncrewed aerial vehicle strike destroyed a Su-35S FLANKER M multi-role fighter and Su-34 FULLBACK fighter-bomber and a munitions depot at Khanskaya airbase, Russia, 500km from Ukraine. FULLBACK aircraft are used on daily operations to launch glide munitions into Ukraine.

Ukraine Targeted Khanskaya Airfield Destroying Fighter Aircraft and Damaging Infrastructure. (04/10/26)

ALT Ukraine Targeted Khanskaya Airfield Destroying Fighter Aircraft and Damaging Infrastructure. (04/10/26)

Ukraine Targeted Khanskaya Airfield Destroying Fighter Aircraft and Damaging Infrastructure. (04/10/26)

ALT Ukraine Targeted Khanskaya Airfield Destroying Fighter Aircraft and Damaging Infrastructure. (04/10/26)

Ukraine Targeted Khanskaya Airfield Destroying Fighter Aircraft and Damaging Infrastructure. (04/10/26)

ALT Ukraine Targeted Khanskaya Airfield Destroying Fighter Aircraft and Damaging Infrastructure. (04/10/26)

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Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 retweeted
Luke Pollard MP
@LukePollardOct 15
It was great to meet with my German counterpart Jens Plötner in London today. Germany is one of our closest and most valued defence partners, and today’s talks demonstrate our determination to turn that industrial ambition into real capability for both our nations. 🇬🇧🇩🇪
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A Royal welcome in Cardiff. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 From a 21-gun Royal Salute at the Pierhead to a Royal Navy Guard of Honour at the Senedd, the Armed Forces marked Their Majesties’ arrival for the ceremonial opening of the Welsh Parliament.
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Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 retweeted
Chief of the Defence Staff@UKCDS_MODOct 15
Preparedness and resilience are at the heart of Exercise Cambrian Patrol, but they aren’t just military responsibilities. Government, industry, academia, communities and citizens all have a part to play in making sure we’re ready for the challenges ahead.
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Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 retweeted
NATO
@NATOOct 13
From beneath the waves to the shores of Scotland 🌊 🇬🇧 British commandos surfaced aboard a 🇩🇪 German submarine during an exercise, bringing together more than 2,000 personnel from six Allied nations
UK military commandos board a German submarine off the North coast of Scotland during Exercise Strike Warrior 26. Photo by: UK MOD © Crown copyright 2026

ALT UK military commandos board a German submarine off the North coast of Scotland during Exercise Strike Warrior 26. Photo by: UK MOD © Crown copyright 2026

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Next year will mark 45 years since British forces liberated the Falkland Islands. For some of those veterans who fought in that conflict, this may be one of the last major anniversaries they see. We have confirmed that commemorations will take place on the islands to mark the anniversary, honouring those who paid the ultimate price for the freedom of the Falkland Islanders.
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Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine -  09 October 2026. Find out more about Defence Intelligence's use of language: ow.ly/qq4L50ZUQti #StandWithUkraine
Russia’s spending plans for 2027 almost certainly represent a real-terms reduction compared to 2026. But military spending is set to increase. On 30 September 2026, the Russian government submitted its proposed 2027 budget to the Duma (the lower house of the state legislature). Compared with updated expected spending for 2026, the plan forecasts a nominal spending increase of 0.5 per cent, well short of inflation, which the Bank of Russia estimates at 6.3 per cent. Spending on education, healthcare, and social policy are all highly likely set to decrease by between 6 and 7 per cent compared to 2026 in nominal terms. The draft 2027 budget allocates 17.1 trillion rubles (USD $202.6 bn) towards national defence, which is around 35 per cent of total federal government spending. This is a 40 per cent increase compared to what was initially planned in 2026.

ALT Russia’s spending plans for 2027 almost certainly represent a real-terms reduction compared to 2026. But military spending is set to increase. On 30 September 2026, the Russian government submitted its proposed 2027 budget to the Duma (the lower house of the state legislature). Compared with updated expected spending for 2026, the plan forecasts a nominal spending increase of 0.5 per cent, well short of inflation, which the Bank of Russia estimates at 6.3 per cent. Spending on education, healthcare, and social policy are all highly likely set to decrease by between 6 and 7 per cent compared to 2026 in nominal terms. The draft 2027 budget allocates 17.1 trillion rubles (USD $202.6 bn) towards national defence, which is around 35 per cent of total federal government spending. This is a 40 per cent increase compared to what was initially planned in 2026.

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Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 retweeted
Luke Pollard MP
@LukePollardOct 9
Today marks the opening of the Kyiv Business Centre, a new base in the Ukrainian capital where British and Ukrainian firms will work side by side on the next generation of capabilities. It's just one of the ways we are backing Ukraine right now, while also backing British jobs
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Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 retweeted
UK Joint Delegation to NATO
@UKNATOOct 9
NATO's annual nuclear deterrence exercise, STEADFAST NOON, will start in Italy next week Find out more👇 nato.int/en/news-and-events/…

NATO holds annual nuclear exercise Steadfast Noon

NATO will host its annual nuclear deterrence exercise, Steadfast Noon, beginning on Tuesday 13 October 2026.

nato.int
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Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine - 08 October 2026. Find out more about Defence Intelligence's use of language: Defence Intelligence – communicating probability - ow.ly/nyYC50ZVYEn #StandWithUkraine
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