‼️ Official release regarding today's B-52 crash at Edwards. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and unit members at this time. More information will be released as it becomes available.

ALERT: A United States Air Force B-52 Stratofortress crashed shortly after takeoff on the Edwards airfield at 11:20 a.m. Emergency crews immediately responded to the scene and the situation is ongoing. More information will be provided as it becomes available.

Something blew up in Edward's AF base @airforce @Breaking911

I am honoured to have been appointed Minister for Veterans and People at @DefenceHQ The Armed Forces have shaped my life, and I will do all I can to serve those who have given so much to our country. Looking forward to working with @DanJarvisMBE and the Labour defence team.

El Sirtap completa con éxito su primer rodaje en la pista de la base de Getafe manejado desde la estación de control en tierra infodefensa.com/texto-diario…

NEW: No.10 sources confirm @Tony_Diver's ace scoop that there will be no more money for the Defence Investment Plan. So what was Lisa Nandy talking about yesterday? huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/m…

DIP rumour latest... @DanJarvisMBE is expected to be given the same £13.5bn for defence (£28Bn needed) that led resignation of @JohnHealey_MP

Ramstein Flag 26 ‒ Tervo highway strip 🛬 During the first week of Ramstein Flag 26, the U.S. Marine Corps & the Polish and Spanish air forces operated fighter jets from a Finnish highway strip for the first time. 🇫🇮🇺🇸🇵🇱🇪🇸 #ilmavoimat #RamsteinFlag

Efforts to deal with the aftermath of the Russian strikes are ongoing in Kyiv, as well as in Kharkiv. Last night, the Russians launched more than 60 missiles at the capital alone. In total, 70 missiles and 611 drones were used against Ukraine. As of now, 28 people have been reported injured and four killed in the capital. My condolences to all their families and loved ones. A Russian strike on the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra set the Dormition Cathedral on fire – a church whose history dates back to the 11th century. And this is one of Russia’s most serious crimes against Christian culture to date. The State Emergency Service has already extinguished the fire on the cathedral’s roof. In Kharkiv, the Russians carried out a repeat strike against our rescuers as they were putting out a fire at the site of an earlier strike on an industrial facility. So far, tragically, five people have been confirmed killed. My condolences to all their families and loved ones. Nine people have been injured. In Dnipro, Russia struck the grounds of a railway station, a college, and several enterprises. Other cities and communities were targeted as well. The Kyiv, Dnipro, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Sumy, and Mykolaiv regions were also under attack. This is how Russia shows the world its intention to continue the war. It is very important that there be a response from the G7 countries, which are now gathering for their summit – and that this response be decisive and substantive: more pressure on the aggressor and more support for Ukraine’s air defense, especially anti-ballistic capabilities. I thank everyone who is helping us protect lives.

EXC: Keir Starmer will not commit more money to the Defence Investment Plan for Dan Jarvis. Jarvis is expected to receive the same settlement of £13.5bn that led John Healey to quit the Government in anger last week, despite the new defence secretary’s pledge to ensure the Armed Forces have “what they need”. He will instead be told to supplement the existing budget by finding savings at the MoD when fresh negotiations kick off this week, two sources familiar with the situation told @Telegraph. Jarvis will, however, be given the chance to tweak the DIP *within the existing envelope* if he wishes. The news will dash hopes that John Healey’s resignation last week would force the PM to change course.

Hitler killed himself and Germany surrendered. Japan got nuked. Do they teach history in Ohio?

This is sounding a little more promising for #GCAP after the disaster of last week...

Overnight, Royal Marines Commandos of the @RoyalNavy were involved in the interception of a shadow fleet vessel. They were supported by @HMSSutherland, @HMSLedbury and the Maritime Air Group. Mission success thanks to the skills, bravery and professionalism of our people.

This morning, UK forces boarded a Russian tanker in the English Channel that was secretly helping to bankroll Putin's war in Ukraine. The first operation of its kind led by British forces, and a clear message: there is nowhere to hide.

In the early hours of this morning, I directed our Armed Forces to intercept a shadow fleet oil tanker attempting to pass through the English Channel. This successful operation delivers yet another blow to Russia and reminds those fueling Putin's war in Ukraine that we will not let them hide. I want to thank those involved, including our Armed Forces and law enforcement officers who keep this country safe 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Big surprise to see the #AnatolianEagle spotters and media days cancelled, is the exercise also postponed as well?

Why Programmes like GCAP and AUKUS Should Be Treated as National Endeavours, Not Solely MoD Programmes Views my own, comments and corrections welcome Short Saturday Morning Essay (hopefully one per week) 1/5 The Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) and AUKUS represent some of the most strategically important and technically ambitious defence projects the UK has undertaken in decades. To deliver them successfully, on time and within reasonable cost, they must be elevated from departmental initiatives to genuine national endeavours. This means removing them from exclusive Ministry of Defence (MoD) control, while retaining the MoD as the Senior User responsible for defining military requirements and operational needs. The rest of the programme — industrial strategy, innovation exploitation, international partnerships, skills development and economic returns — should be directed at the national level, with cross-government leadership and deep integration with the civil sector.

🚨 NEW: Keir Starmer has appointed new Ministers to replace the recent resignations Angela Eagle as Security Minister Stephen Morgan as Farming Minister Louise Sandher-Jones as Armed Forces Minister Calvin Bailey as Veterans Minister

European defence stocks retreat on lower spending and higher wrangling ft.trib.al/3yYIE8i | opinion

The threats the UK faces are real and they’re growing. We need to meet this moment. I’m staying on as a defence minister to play my part in getting this right.