Defence Secretary outlines Army plans
Under the plans set out in the Strategic Defence and Security Review, the Army is to be reduced from 102,000 soldiers to 82,000
Nelson's ship to change hands
Nelson's famous flagship is to receive a multi-million pound windfall after it was announced it will be handed over to a new charity.
Massive grant for Nelson's flagship
The future of the world's most iconic ship has been secured by a £50m grant. HMS Victory has been handed over to a charity by the MoD.
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£375 million MoD contracts will help create jobs
Hundreds of jobs in our region are to be protected after two major Ministry of Defence contracts were awarded - worth a total of £375 million.
Southampton contract Trimline have had their contract to refurbish Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships extended for five years. Here we speak to Gary Oliver from the firm:
MoD bomb deal secures defence jobs
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has announced a new £25 million contract for more laser-guided bombs, in a move set to secure jobs in the South East.
The additional Paveway IV bombs will be carried by Tornado jets in Afghanistan, and are also due to be carried by new Typhoon and Lightning II aircraft.
Used during last year's air campaign over Libya, the RAF precision weapons use GPS technology which allows the UK to conduct 24-hour attacks against a range of targets.
Aircrew have the ability to reprogram the weapon during a mission, allowing them to attack a wider range of targets.
The MoD announced a new £25 million contract for more Paveway IV bombs from Raytheon UK, securing hundreds of jobs.
It will sustain around 450 jobs at the firm's UK plants - 300 in Glenrothes, Scotland, responsible for the Guidance Control Section of the weapon, and 150 in Harlow, Essex.
The contract will also support jobs at Raytheon's subcontractors - Portsmouth Aviation Ltd, Exelis in Brighton, Chemring in Ardeer, Ayrshire, and Thales in Basingstoke.
This year, the MoD has awarded more than £100 million of contracts to Raytheon for around 1,600 Paveway IV bombs, a spokesman said.
Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology Philip Dunne said: "This highly sophisticated UK-developed and manufactured weapon is the backbone of the RAF's precision bombing capability.
"This contract to boost the MoD's weapon stocks will sustain hundreds of skilled jobs in the defence manufacturing sector in both Scotland and England.
"By balancing the defence budget, we are able to commit with confidence to equipment programmes which help to safeguard our national security."
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Wife's tribute after soldier shot dead in Afghanistan
27 year old Corporal Michael Thacker was part of the Fire Support Group manning an observation post in the Helmand district when he was shot. He could not be saved, despite the best efforts of medical staff.
Corporal Thacker was born in Swindon, Wiltshire and joined The Royal Welsh Fusiliers in 2004. He leaves behind a wife, parents and two year old daughter.
His wife Catherine said: "Michael was the love of my life. He was an amazing husband and father who will always be remembers as a funny loving and kind man."
Continued MOD investment in Berks
The MoD has reached an agreement with AWE Management Limited (AWEML), which will see the MoD invest £1 billion a year over the next five years. This will provide investment in skills and facilities at the company’s site in Aldermaston and Burghfield, Berks, where more than 4,500 staff are based.
Around 40 per cent of this money will be invested in essential capital projects, including production and research facilities. The remainder will be spent on operating and maintaining the AWE.
– Peter Luff, Defence Equipment and Support MinisterAtomic Weapons Establishment is a centre of scientific and technological excellence, with some of the most advanced research, design and production facilities in the world. This investment announced today will help maintain 4,500 jobs and a key capability, which is essential for our national security.”
Defence Secretary outlines Army plans
Under the plans set out in the Strategic Defence and Security Review, the Army is to be reduced from 102,000 soldiers to 82,000
Read the full storyNelson's ship to change hands
by Richard Jones
Nelson's famous flagship is to receive a multi-million pound windfall after it was announced it will be handed over to a new charity.
Read the full storyAdvertisement
Massive grant for Nelson's flagship
by Penny Silvester
The future of the world's most iconic ship has been secured by a £50m grant. HMS Victory has been handed over to a charity by the MoD.
Read the full storyHMS Victory's future secure
The future of HMS Victory looks to be secure after it received a grant of £50 million pounds. The money will ensure Lord Nelson's flagship will remain the centrepiece of the nation's maritime heritage. The MoD has handed over responsibility for the vessel to a charitable trust.
HMS Victory gets massive cash grant
The future of Lord Nelson's flagship HMS Victory looks secure after receiving a 50 million pounds grant. The MoD has handed over responsibility for the World's most iconic vessel to a charitable trust. It will ensure HMS Victory remains the centrepiece of the nation's maritime heritage.
Funding boost for HMS Victory
by Adam ClarkThe Ministry of Defence has decided to transfer the custodianship of HMS Victory with the promise of a multimillion pound funding boost.
The HMS Victory Preservation Trust will be now be responsible for maintaining Nelson's flagship.