British Armed Forces • Page 4 of 4

Feb- 2025 -

27 February

British Army Called Europe’s ‘Laughing Stock’ Due to Obsolete Weaponry

A senior British Army officer has labeled his own organization the “laughing stock” of Europe, criticizing its outdated weapons as ineffective against enemy forces.

20 February

Europe

Joe Saballa

UK Military ‘Too Run Down’ to Lead Peacekeeping Mission in Ukraine: Ex-Army Chief

The UK military is “too run down” to lead any potential peacekeeping missions in Ukraine, the former head of the British Army has claimed.

18 February

Arms

Joe Saballa

UK Begins Search for New 5.56mm Light Assault Machine Gun

The UK Ministry of Defence has launched a competitive tender process for a new 5.56mm lightweight assault machine gun for use by dismounted troops.

7 February

Europe

The troops conduct the drill movement in open order on parade with the colours, at the pass out parade in Army Foundation College (AFC) Harrogate. More than 400 marched onto the parade square to mark the successful completion of their Phase One training. The prestigious ceremony is the culmination of months of intensive training, nurturing and education that is tailored exclusively to junior soldiers. Their final exercise is an intense, seven-day battle camp encompassing all they have learnt during their time at AFC Harrogate. The 17 and 18-year-olds will now go on to complete their trade training before joining regiments across the UK. The College based at Uniacke Barracks in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, provides a unique combination of military basic training and vocational training. It has two intakes a year in March and September and runs two types of courses. A 49-week course (including eight weeks holiday) for those joining the infantry, Royal Armoured Corps/Household Cavalry, Royal Artillery and some Royal Logistic Corps roles. A 23-week course (including three weeks holiday) for those joining courses with longer Phase 2 training – these are Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, Royal Engineers, Royal Signals, Adjutant General’s Corps, Royal Army Medical Corps, Army Air Corps and some Royal Logistic Corps roles. The military training syllabus teaches the Junior Soldiers the basics of soldiering, from how to look after their kit to how to safely handle and fire an assault rifle. They learn fieldcraft and take part in military exercises.

Rojoef Manuel

UK Ministry of Defence Launches Faster, Simpler Enlistment Process

The UK has partnered with a Serco-led team to launch a new framework that will streamline and expedite the British Armed Forces’ recruitment.

7 February

Cyber

Rojoef Manuel

British Military to ‘Fast-Track’ Cyber Workforce Expansion

The British Armed Forces is accelerating its cyber defense workforce recruitment in response to the increase in attacks over the past two years.

4 February

Europe

Joe Saballa

UK MoD Recalls 120,000 Pieces of Body Armor

The UK Ministry of Defence has issued an urgent recall for thousands of military body armor vests after scans revealed microscopic cracks in the equipment.

4 February

Business

Inder Singh Bisht

Instro Secures Added $20M Night Vision Goggle Order for British Forces

Instro Precision Technologies has secured a $20 million contract to provide additional XACT nv33 compact night vision goggles to the British Armed Forces.