Free Republic

A former Royal Navy commander has expressed concerns over reports Sir Keir Starmer could axe a new fleet of warships. Tom Sharpe, who commanded four warships during his 27-year career, said he fears ministers will take the “cheapest option” rather than the best one in the future of the Type 83 destroyer programme. Reports claim the Prime Minister is weighing up scrapping plans to build the warships, expected to replace the current Type 45s next decade. Mr Sharpe said there is a decision to be made about the programme, as the First Sea Lord pushes for a transition towards a...

Defence Secretary John Healey resigns This is breaking news - we'll have more details in our next post.

Two Iranian missiles were fired in the direction of Cyprus, British Defence Secretary John Healey said on Sunday but were intercepted.The island is home to two British military bases.Healey said it was not yet clear if the missiles were deliberately targeting UK facilities on the island...However, President Nikos Christodoulides said he had spoken to UK Prime Minister Kair Starmer, who had confirmed categorically that Cyprus was not a target for Iran...Meanwhile, President Nikos Christodoulides has called an extraordinary meeting of Cyprus' National Security Council on Sunday evening.Healey said the 300 British personnel were near targets in Bahrain and warned of...