Keir Starmer – The Defense Post

Feb- 2026 -

2 February

Starmer Says UK Should ‘Do More’ With EU in Joint Defense

Britain should "do more together" with the EU on defense, including through a bloc-wide initiative to bolster arms stocks that London has not yet joined, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said.

Nov- 2025 -

25 November

Asia Pacific

Childrens waves the UK and Indonesian flags as they welcoming the HMS Albion (L14) arrival at Terminal 2 Port of Tanjung Priok, Jakarta on Sunday, April 22, 2018. The arrival of the ship of HMS Albion and the Royal Navy crew is in order to strengthen cooperation between the British and Indonesian military.

Christine Casimiro

UK, Indonesia Agree to $5.2B Maritime Partnership, Boost Indo-Pacific Security

The UK and Indonesia have agreed to launch a Maritime Partnership Programme (MPP) that will see Jakarta build naval and fishing vessels using British shipbuilding expertise.

Sep- 2025 -

9 September

Europe

Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Keir Starmer attends the EU Leader's informal retreat meeting at Egmont Palace. The PM of the UK did a doorstep statement and talked to journalist of international press and media. EU leaders will discuss in this summit the European defence strategy during at Palais d'Egmont in Brussels, Belgium on February 3, 2025 (Photo by Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto) (Photo by Nicolas Economou / NurPhoto / NurPhoto via AFP)

Staff Writer With AFP

London Arms Show Opens, Excludes Israeli Officials

A major arms fair opens Tuesday in London without the presence of Israeli government officials due to worsening diplomatic relations between Britain and Israel over the Gaza conflict.

Jun- 2025 -

26 June

Europe

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Keir Starmer, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, shake hands after a joint press conference in Kyiv, Ukraine, on January 16, 2025.

Giulia Bernacchi

UK, Ukraine Strike Tech-Sharing Deal to Supercharge Drone Production

The UK and Ukraine have signed an agreement to cooperate on battlefield technology aimed at boosting drone production.

1 June

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.

Staff Writer With AFP

UK to Restore ‘War-Fighting Readiness’ With New Defense Review

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Sunday he will "restore Britain's war-fighting readiness" as his government warned of "growing" Russian aggression ahead of a major defense strategy review.

May- 2025 -

10 May

Europe

Volodymyr Selenskyj (l-r), President of Ukraine, French President Emmanuel Macron, Keir Starmer, Prime Minister of Great Britain, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) commemorate the victims of the war on the Maidan in Kiev.

Staff Writer With AFP

European Leaders in Kyiv for Show of Solidarity Against Russia

The leaders of France, Britain, Germany, and Poland visited Ukraine on Saturday for talks with President Volodymyr Zelensky, vowing to ratchet up pressure on Russia until it agreed to a ceasefire in the three-year war.

Apr- 2025 -

8 April

Europe

HMS Dauntless took part in a live-firing exercise shooting down drones.

Giulia Bernacchi

Royal Navy’s HMS Dauntless Engages Drone Threats in Live-Fire Exercise

The UK Royal Navy’s HMS Dauntless destroyer has carried out a live-fire exercise off the coast of Wales, engaging multiple drone threats.

Feb- 2025 -

26 February

Americas

Staff Writer With AFP

UK PM Pledges to Spend 2.5 Percent of GDP on Defense by 2027

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer pledged Tuesday to boost defense spending to 2.5 percent of the economy by 2027, as uncertainty reigns over US President Donald Trump's commitment to European security.

25 February

Europe

Staff Writer With AFP

UK Posts Over 100 Sanctions for Aiding Russia’s War on Ukraine

The UK government on Monday unveiled over 100 sanctions against those aiding Russian President Vladimir Putin's war on Ukraine on the third anniversary of the start of the conflict.

Jan- 2025 -

16 January

Europe

Staff Writer With AFP

Blasts in Kyiv as UK’s Starmer Inks ‘Landmark’ 100-Year Accord

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer signed a "landmark" 100-year partnership agreement with Ukraine on Thursday during an unannounced visit to the war-torn country, seeking to shore up support for Kyiv before Donald Trump returns to the White House.

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