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22 Oct 25. The British Armed Forces will continue to support a NATO-led peacekeeping mission in Kosovo for at least another three years. The UK has been a key contributor to the UN-mandated NATO Kosovo Force (KFOR) since it first entered Kosovo in 1999 as a peacekeeping force to bring peace and stability following the conflict of the 1990s. The commitment centres around a reserve force of hundreds of British soldiers who could be deployed out to Kosovo to assist the mission at short notice, if required. The last major UK deployment to support the mission took place in 2023 after a violent attack against police in northern Kosovo. The announcement comes as the Prime Minister hosts the Western Balkans Leaders’ Summit in London today to discuss closer collaboration to tackle the shared challenge of irregular migration.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “The UK’s commitment to peace and security in the Western Balkans is unwavering. By extending our support to NATO’s Kosovo Force, we are demonstrating our role as a leading NATO ally and standing by our values of stability and democracy. Working closely with our partners in the Western Balkans is vital, not only for regional stability, but to ensure security here at home. Kosovo is an important bilateral partner, with the UK having been the first country to recognise its independence in 2008.”
The international NATO peacekeeping mission, supported by more than 30 nations, was established after NATO’s 78-day air campaign in 1999 against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, aimed at preventing a humanitarian catastrophe in Kosovo. It comes as the UK Ministry of Defence prepares to launch a new course targeted to Western Balkans nations that will commence early next year, designed to help build understanding among defence and security organisations on issues around protecting civilian lives, including promoting the role of women in defence. Training of this kind is widely viewed as one of the most effective methods contributing towards conflict prevention and would encourage the development of a network of peers in the region who could be consulted in future. The UK will invite Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia to participate.
Minister for the Armed Forces, Al Carns, said: “Our troops have carried out hundreds of missions over the decades in support of KFOR and this extension to our commitment will keep Kosovo and the Western Balkans safer. Peacekeeping is a critical component of our commitment to keep the UK secure at home and strong abroad, and I would like to thank the hundreds of British troops who remain ready to step up to keep the UK and Europe safe.”
UK forces have worked to enhance KFOR’s Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance capability, significantly increasing the mission commanders’ situational awareness – ensuring the operation can provide a safe and secure environment for the entire population. The support is financed through the government’s Integrated Security Fund, which is shared by multiple departments in tackling national security challenges faced by the UK and partners. KFOR acts as one of the main security providers in Kosovo, with troops contributed by more than 30 nations including Italy, Turkey, Poland and the US, as well as the UK. (Source: joint-forces.com)
22 Oct 25. Royal Navy joins NATO in historic operation tracking Russian activity in UK waters.
- UK warship and helicopter shadow Russian destroyer through the English Channel under the command of NATO Allied Maritime Command
- Follows recent Royal Navy tracking of a Russian submarine returning from the Mediterranean
- Royal Navy plays key role in securing UK waters and protecting critical infrastructure essential to economic growth under the government’s Plan for Change
A Royal Navy destroyer and helicopter were deployed on a 48-hour NATO operation monitoring a Russian warship in UK waters, marking a historic first for the alliance. Portsmouth-based HMS Duncan was activated by NATO Allied Maritime Command, headquartered at Northwood in London, to shadow Russian destroyer Vice Admiral Kulakov through the English Channel during the operation. This represents the first time a Royal Navy warship has been tasked under the alliance’s direct command for such an operation, forming part of wider security efforts across northern Europe. The mission complements ongoing work by Plymouth-based HMS Somerset with NATO in the North Atlantic. The Type 45 destroyer utilised her advanced sensors and systems to intercept the Kulakov in the North Sea, monitoring her passage westward through the Channel towards the island of Ushant off the French coast. A Wildcat helicopter from 815 Naval Air Squadron, based at Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton, joined the operation to provide air support and maintain surveillance of the Russian vessel. The coordinated effort involved three nations, including a Dutch Air Force NH90 and the French Navy. The operation underscores the government’s ongoing commitment to safeguarding UK waters and protecting national security through the Plan for Change.
Al Carns, Minister for the Armed Forces, said: “The Royal Navy stands ready to respond to any Russian Naval activity. They conduct constant monitoring operations to safeguard Britain and our territorial waters.
“Once again the Royal Navy has deployed under Allied Maritime Command underpinning our unwavering solidarity with NATO to counter Russian activity.”
HMS Duncan’s Commanding Officer, Commander Dan Lee, added: “This operation highlights the Royal Navy’s commitment to safeguarding UK waters and working seamlessly with our NATO allies to ensure the security of our shared maritime spaces.
“The close coordination between UK, French and Dutch forces demonstrates the strength of our alliance and our ability to respond collectively to any activity in our region.
“Tracking and escorting the Vice Admiral Kulakov through UK waters was a clear example of NATO’s interoperability in action. The professionalism and teamwork displayed by all involved ensured the operation was conducted safely and effectively, showcasing our shared resolve to uphold international maritime norms.”
HMS Duncan is one of two Royal Navy warships attached to the alliance’s premier task force patrolling northern European waters, Standing Maritime Group 1 (SNMG1). The group also conducts an intensive programme of scheduled exercises, manoeuvres and port visits to strengthen bonds between NATO navies. Whilst Duncan patrolled waters closer to home, Type 23 frigate HMS Somerset conducted Maritime Security Patrols in the sea lanes between Iceland, the Faroe Islands and Scotland – the critical passage between the North Atlantic and Arctic waters. The deployment has also enabled the 200-strong crew to visit Torshavn in the Faroe Islands and Reykjavik in Iceland. Operating as part of SNMG1 allows the Royal Navy’s high readiness units to work within a coordinated effort to establish Alliance presence and demonstrate solidarity with partner nations. HMS Somerset’s Commanding Officer, Commander Matt Millyard, said: “The ship has been deployed since August in support of Operation Relentless, protecting the UK’s nuclear deterrent which is assigned to the defence of NATO.
“Working as part of SNMG1 over the last few weeks has allowed us to further contribute to NATO’s presence in the region. The port visits have been a great opportunity for the crew to relax after a busy operational period and prepare for an even busier period over the next few months.” (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
17 Oct 25. EU unveils defence roadmap to bolster military capabilities. The ‘Preserving Peace – Defence Readiness Roadmap 2030’ builds on the ReArm Europe Plan/Readiness 2030. The European Commission and the High Representative have presented a new ‘Defence Roadmap’ to enhance defence capabilities across Europe. The ‘Preserving Peace – Defence Readiness Roadmap 2030’ includes specific goals and timelines and seeks to address existing capability gaps, promote increased defence spending among Member States and direct the EU towards achieving full defence readiness by the year 2030. It also states that reinforcing Europe’s defence posture aligns with continued support for Ukraine. The plan is a response to a request made by the European Council in June 2025. The roadmap introduces four initial European Readiness Flagships: the European Drone Defence Initiative, the Eastern Flank Watch, the European Air Shield, and the European Space Shield. These projects focus on enhancing deterrence and defence across land, air, sea, cyber, and space domains. They are designed to support Nato capability objectives. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said: “The recent threats have shown that Europe is at risk. We have to protect every citizen and square centimetre of our territory. And Europe must respond with unity, solidarity and determination. Today’s Defence Roadmap presents a clear plan with shared goals and concrete milestones on our path to 2030. Because only what gets measured gets done.
“Moving from plans to action, the Roadmap proposes four European Flagships: the European Drone Defence Initiative, the Eastern Flank Watch, the European Air Shield, and the European Space Shield. This will strengthen our defence industries, accelerate production and maintain our long-standing support to Ukraine.”
The plan recommends that member states complete the creation of ‘Capability Coalitions’ in nine specific areas. These coalitions aim to address key capability shortages through joint development and procurement efforts in the following areas: air and missile defence; strategic enablers; military mobility; artillery systems; cyber, artificial intelligence, electronic warfare; missiles and ammunition; drones and counter-drone systems; ground combat; and maritime capabilities. The roadmap builds on the ReArm Europe Plan/Readiness 2030. This initiative increases public and private sector investment, offering member states more flexibility in funding measures that improve production capacity and operational readiness. The commission and the High Representative plan to present this roadmap to the European Council, with proposals for continent-wide flagship projects intended to reach full defence readiness by 2030. Additionally, the roadmap outlines steps to create a unified military mobility area within the EU by 2027. This effort includes developing consistent regulations and establishing a coordinated network of land, air, and sea routes for rapid movement of troops and equipment throughout Europe. The plan is being developed with input from Nato to increase Europe’s capacity for swift crisis response, said the commission. (Source: army-technology.com)
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Founded in 1987, Exensor Technology is a world leading supplier of Networked Unattended Ground Sensor (UGS) Systems providing tailored sensor solutions to customers all over the world. From our Headquarters in Lund Sweden, our centre of expertise in Network Communications at Communications Research Lab in Kalmar Sweden and our Production site outside of Basingstoke UK, we design, develop and produce latest state of the art rugged UGS solutions at the highest quality to meet the most stringent demands of our customers. Our systems are in operation and used in a wide number of Military as well as Homeland Security applications worldwide. The modular nature of the system ensures any external sensor can be integrated, providing the user with a fully meshed “silent” network capable of self-healing. Exensor Technology will continue to lead the field in UGS technology, provide our customers with excellent customer service and a bespoke package able to meet every need.
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