Latest news with #A400
NDTV
06-07-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
24 Experts Arrive In Kerala To Repair Stranded British F-35B Fighter Jet
Thiruvananthapuram: A Royal Air Force Airbus A400M Atlas aircraft landed in Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday with a team of 24 people from the United Kingdom to inspect the British F-35B fighter jet that remained grounded for three weeks following an emergency landing last month. The 24-person team included 14 technical experts from the British Royal Air Force and 10 crew members. The visiting team will assess the condition of the stranded jet to determine whether it can be repaired locally or needs to be dismantled and transported back to the United Kingdom. #WATCH | Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala: A team of technical experts on board the British Royal Air Force Airbus A400M Atlas, arrive at the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport to assess the F-35 fighter jet. The F-35 jet had made an emergency landing at the Thiruvananthapuram… — ANI (@ANI) July 6, 2025 The Airbus A400M Atlas is set to fly back around 3:30 pm (local time), but British experts will stay back in Kerala for the inspection and repair of the F-35B fighter jet, sources told NDTV. The development indicates that Britain hasn't yet planned to airlift the F-35 out of India. The A400, which is bigger than the C-130 Hercules but smaller than the C-17 Globemaster, would not be able to carry it even if it were disassembled. #BREAKING | British F-35 Fighter Jet, Stranded In Kerala Airport For Weeks, Being Towed NDTV's Managing Editor @ShivAroor Reports — NDTV (@ndtv) July 6, 2025 To fly it out in an aircraft, Britain will need to send in the C-17. Sources said that UK experts may try to repair the hydraulics of the F-35B fighter jet and try to fly it back. The development came after UK authorities accepted the offer of space in a Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility for the Royal Navy fighter jet stranded in Thiruvananthapuram. "A UK engineering team has deployed to Thiruvananthapuram International Airport to assess and repair the UK F-35B aircraft, which landed following an emergency diversion," a British High Commission Spokesperson said on Sunday. The statement further said that following the standard procedure, the aircraft will be moved after the arrival of UK engineers. "The UK has accepted the offer of a space in the Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility, and are in discussions to finalise arrangements with relevant authorities. In line with standard procedure, the aircraft will be moved following the arrival of UK engineers, who are carrying specialist equipment necessary for the movement and repair process," the statement added. The High Commissioner thanked India for its support to the UK in this matter. "The UK remains very grateful for the continued support and collaboration of the Indian authorities and airport teams." Since its unscheduled landing nearly three weeks ago, the presence of the advanced stealth fighter has generated considerable public curiosity and turned into a quirky marketing trend in the state. The Kerala Tourism Department was the first to share an image of the aircraft on social media with a humorous caption, and this was quickly followed by similar posts from Milma (Kerala's dairy cooperative), the Kerala Police, the State AIDS Control Society, and several private organisations.
South Wales Guardian
24-06-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Guardian
British nationals evacuated from Israel as Iran conflict continues
David Lammy told the Commons that an RAF A400 had taken the group of British nationals to Cyprus on Monday, from where they will be taken to the UK, adding that more flights will follow. He also confirmed that one British national in Israel had been injured during Iranian missile attacks and had been offered consular support. Downing Street said 'around 1,000' people had requested a seat on an evacuation flight – a quarter of the 4,000 who had registered their presence in Israel or Palestine with the Foreign Office. In his statement to the Commons, Mr Lammy repeated his plea to Iran to return to the negotiating table following America's strikes on its nuclear programme. He said: 'My message for Tehran was clear, take the off ramp, dial this thing down, and negotiate with the United States seriously and immediately. 'The alternative is an even more destructive and far-reaching conflict, which could have unpredictable consequences.' He had previously urged Tehran to engage in negotiations, saying US President Donald Trump's apparent decision last week to delay US military action offered a two-week window for a diplomatic solution. On Monday, he said: 'We can and we must find a negotiated solution. The window has narrowed, but the risks of further escalation are so great and the costs so considerable for Britain and all in the region, that this is the Government's priority.' Mr Lammy's statement came after an air raid by American B-2 stealth bombers and a salvo of submarine-launched missiles hit Iran's nuclear facilities on Saturday night. The Foreign Secretary told MPs it was not yet clear how far the attack had set back Iran's nuclear ambitions, but said the need for a diplomatic solution remained. He added: 'Strikes cannot destroy the knowledge Iran has acquired over several decades, nor any regime ambition to deploy that knowledge to build a nuclear weapon.' Mr Lammy also told MPs that the Government has withdrawn staff from its embassy in Iran, telling the Commons it is operating 'remotely'. Pleased to announce our first Royal Air Force A-400 has flown into Tel Aviv and is helping to take 63 British nationals and their dependants home. The safety of British Nationals is our top priority. Register your presence for updates on future flights: — David Lammy (@DavidLammy) June 23, 2025 The Foreign Secretary also continued to face questions on the legality of the US strikes, but said it 'must rightly be a matter for the US government in relation to their action' and added: 'This was not our action. We have been clear that we were not involved.' Earlier, Downing Street had said that preventing Tehran from obtaining a nuclear bomb was a 'good thing' for the UK, but declined to comment on whether the US strikes complied with international law. It came as Qatar shut its air space temporarily on Monday to ensure the safety of citizens, residents and visitors. Dr Majed Al Ansari, spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said in a post on X: 'The competent Qatari authorities announce the temporary suspension of air traffic in the country's airspace, in order to ensure the safety of citizens, residents, and visitors.' The Foreign Office advised British nationals in Qatar to 'shelter in place' after a US security alert. #Qatar Following a US security alert for US nationals in Qatar, out of an abundance of caution, we recommend that British nationals in Qatar shelter in place until further notice: — FCDO Travel Advice (@FCDOtravelGovUK) June 23, 2025 The UAE has also closed its air space, according to flight-tracking website Flightradar24. Meanwhile, Israeli jets hit targets in Tehran on Monday including the security headquarters of the Revolutionary Guard Corps and Evin Prison, the regime's main site for detaining political prisoners and human rights activists. In turn, Iran carried out its own strikes against cities in Israel, and sparked fears of a wider regional conflict as it accused the US of crossing 'a very big red line'. Meanwhile, oil prices reached their highest level for nearly six months over fears a regional conflict could restrict supply, especially if Iran decided to blockade the Strait of Hormuz. The jump in prices prompted Mr Trump to post on his Truth Social platform: 'EVERYONE, KEEP OIL PRICES DOWN. I'M WATCHING! YOU'RE PLAYING RIGHT INTO THE HANDS OF THE ENEMY. DON'T DO IT!' Mr Lammy told MPs the Government was 'closely monitoring' the energy markets and urged Iran to keep the Strait of Hormuz open, saying a blockade would be 'a monumental act of economic self-harm' and make reaching a diplomatic solution even harder.
Daily Mirror
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
Dozens airlifted out of Israel by RAF as Middle East faces 'perilous moment'
The Foreign Secretary David Lammy said 63 Brits were evacuated from Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport to Cyprus on an RAF A400. They were expected to arrive back in Britain on Monday evening Dozens of Brits were airlifted out of danger by the RAF today as David Lammy warned the Middle East faces a "perilous moment". The Foreign Secretary said 63 Brits were evacuated from Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport to Cyprus on an RAF A400. They were expected to arrive back in Britain on Monday evening on the first UK chartered flight since waves of strikes between Iran and Israel broke out. It was reported ex-Labour MP Louise Ellman and Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis were onboard. Mr Lammy also told MPs one British national had been injured in Israel as a result of Iranian strikes as the crisis in the region escalates. Over the weekend Donald Trump ordered US bombing raids on three Iranian nuclear facilities and floated the prospect of regime change in Tehran. The Foreign Secretary said: "This is a perilous moment in the Middle East, waves of strikes between Israel and Iran have now lasted for 10 days, continuing overnight. I know the whole House will have in their thoughts the many civilians impacted by the fighting. I can confirm today, this includes one British national, injured in Israel. We've reached out to offer consular support." Mr Lammy said further RAF flights to evacuate British nationals will be arranged by the Foreign Office based on "demand and the latest security situation". Around 4,000 British nationals in the region have "registered their interests" following a UK government appeal, which began on Tuesday. It is estimated around 1,000 of them could take up the offer of British assistance to leave. Mr Lammy added: "Throughout the crisis, the safety of British nationals in the region has been our top priority. That is why the UK Government is working with the Israeli authorities to arrange RAF and charter flights to help those wanting to leave." "Today's flight will bring British nationals and their dependents safely back to the UK. While the situation in the Middle East remains volatile, we are working around the clock to secure more flights and bring more people home." Ministers also withdrew staff from the UK's embassy in Tehran on Friday. The Foreign Office has advised against travel to Iran since 2019. The update came as Keir Starmer prepared to jet to the NATO summit on Tuesday. Ahead of the visit the PM said the UK will commit to ramping up defence and security spending to 5% of GDP by 2035 to meet rising global threats. NATO allies have agreed to the target ahead of the crunch summit in the Hague, which is expected to be dominated by the escalating crisis in the Middle East. Downing Street said the PM will urge all sides to step back from the brink and find a diplomatic solution to the rapidly spiralling conflict between Iran and Israel. The Prime Minister said the UK would meet this "era of radical uncertainty" by pouring cash into defence and security as he prepared to head for the Netherlands for one of the most significant NATO summits since the Cold War. Frantic negotiations have been underway to give the US President a win at his first NATO gathering since his re-election - and persuade him not to pull US support from Europe. Mr Trump has repeatedly demanded that members of the Western defensive alliance do more to foot the bill for Europe's security. At a NATO summit in 2018, he accused allies of freeloading off the United States, saying: "Many countries owe us a tremendous amount of money from many years back." Mr Trump alarmed allies by pausing military aid from Ukraine and temporarily cutting off intelligence sharing following his White House clash with Volodymyr Zelensky in February. Downing Street said the commitment would be split between 3.5% on core defence and 1.5% resilience and security, with a target date of 2035. But the move will raise questions over how it will be funded - and whether the redrawn definition to include infrastructure spending will go far enough. Mr Starmer announced plans to spend 2.5% of GDP on defence by 2027 earlier this year, funded by a raid on the foreign aid budget. But no details have been set out over how the UK will hit a higher target. Germany is expected to announce it will hit 3.5% by 2029, putting it far ahead of the UK. Mr Starmer said: "We must navigate this era of radical uncertainty with agility, speed and a clear-eyed sense of the national interest to deliver security for working people and keep them safe. That's why I have made the commitment to spend 5% of GDP on national security. "This is an opportunity to deepen our commitment to NATO and drive greater investment in the nation's wider security and resilience." Downing Street said the pledge was a "generational increase in defence and security spending" - which would have a major impact on the strength of NATO. The PM's spokesman said: "The Prime Minister will travel to NATO tomorrow morning against a backdrop of global volatility. While there, you can expect the Prime Minister to continue to call for a diplomatic way forward in the Middle East, following his extensive conversations with partners over the weekend."
Scotsman
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Scotsman
Iran strikes US military base in Qatar as Britons evacuated from Israel
More flights expected to follow after first British group taken to Cyprus amid continuing hostilities between Tel Aviv and Tehran Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Iran launched missile attacks on a US military base in Qatar in retaliation for the American bombing of its nuclear sites, as scores of British nationals were evacuated from the Middle East. With tensions escalating in the region as Tel Aviv and Tehran continue to exchange fire, Foreign Secretary David Lammy said the RAF had evacuated 63 Britons from Israel. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Mr Lammy told MPs an RAF A400 had taken the group to Cyprus on Monday, from where they will be taken to the UK, adding that more flights will follow. He also confirmed that one British national in Israel had been injured during Iranian missile attacks. British nationals leave Israel on board an RAF plane - one of the first emergency evacuations since the US attacked nuclear sites in Iran | SWNS Tehran said the attack on Qatar's Al Udeid Air Base matched the number of bombs dropped by the US on Iran's nuclear sites over the weekend, signalling its likely desire to de-escalate. Iran also said it targeted the base because it was outside populated areas. The attack was announced on Iranian state television as martial music played. A caption on screen called it 'a mighty and successful response' to 'America's aggression'. The Ain al-Assad base housing US troops in western Iraq was also targeted, an Iraqi security source said, but Iran did not claim that attack, which could have been carried out by militias. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Qatar's Foreign Ministry said the attack by Iran's Revolutionary Guards was 'a flagrant violation of Qatar's sovereignty, its air space and international law'. Al Udeid is also home to the Combined Air Operations Centre, which provides command and control of air power across the region as well as the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing, the largest such unit in the world. The retaliation came a day after the US launched a surprise attack on three of Iran's nuclear sites. Just before the explosions, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian wrote on the social platform X: 'We will not leave invasion to the great Iran without answer.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Earlier in the day, Israel expanded its war against Iran to include targets associated with the country's struggling theocracy, striking the gate of a Tehran prison notorious for holding political activists and hitting the headquarters of the military force that suppressed recent protests. As plumes of thick smoke rose over Tehran, Israel was attacked with another barrage of Iranian missiles and drones. The persistent fire has become a reality for civilians in both countries since Israel started the war to target Tehran's nuclear programme. On the 11th day of the conflict, Israel said it attacked 'regime targets and government repression bodies in the heart of Tehran', but Israeli officials insisted they did not seek the overthrow of Iran's government, their arch enemy since the country's 1979 Islamic Revolution. Trump: 'Make Iran Great Again' The Israeli military warned Iranians that it would continue to attack military sites around Tehran over 'the coming days' as its focus shifts to symbolic targets as well. The military issued the warning on the social platform X, though Iranians are struggling to access the outside world as an internet shutdown has crippled the country. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Foreign Secretary David Lammy makes a statement to MPs in the House of Commons on the latest situation in the Middle East on Monday | PA The latest strikes unfolded hours after Donald Trump wrote on social media: 'If the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn't there be a Regime change???' White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt later said the US president was 'simply raising a question'. However, suggestions of overthrowing the Iranian government drew new anger from Tehran, which insists it will not negotiate at this time and is threatening to retaliate directly against American troops or interests in a Middle East already inflamed by the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip. In London, Downing Street said "around 1,000" people had requested a seat on an evacuation flight - a quarter of the 4,000 who had registered their presence in Israel or Palestine with the Foreign Office. Lammy urges Iran to 'take the off ramp' In his statement to the House Commons, Mr Lammy repeated his plea to Iran to return to the negotiating table following America's strikes on its nuclear programme. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad He said: "My message for Tehran was clear, take the off ramp, dial this thing down, and negotiate with the United States seriously and immediately. "The alternative is an even more destructive and far-reaching conflict, which could have unpredictable consequences." Mr Lammy also told MPs that the Government has withdrawn staff from its embassy in Iran , telling the House of Commons it is operating "remotely". The Foreign Secretary also continued to face questions on the legality of the US strikes, but said it "must rightly be a matter for the US government in relation to their action" and added: "This was not our action. We have been clear that we were not involved." Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Earlier, Downing Street had said that preventing Tehran from obtaining a nuclear bomb was a "good thing" for the UK, but declined to comment on whether the US strikes complied with international law. Meanwhile, oil prices reached their highest level for nearly six months over fears a regional conflict could restrict supply, especially if Iran decided to blockade the Strait of Hormuz. The jump in prices prompted Mr Trump to post on his Truth Social platform: "EVERYONE, KEEP OIL PRICES DOWN. I'M WATCHING! YOU'RE PLAYING RIGHT INTO THE HANDS OF THE ENEMY. DON'T DO IT!" In this photo released on Monday by the Iranian army press service, Iran's army commander-in-chief Gen Amir Hatami, centre, Admiral Mahmoud Mousavi, right, and Admiral Habibollah Sayyari attend a meeting in Zolfaghar central headquarters, Iran | AP Mr Lammy told MPs the Government was "closely monitoring" the energy markets and urged Iran to keep the Strait of Hormuz open, saying a blockade would be "a monumental act of economic self-harm" and make reaching a diplomatic solution even harder. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will announce at a meeting of Nato leaders this week that the UK will increase spending on defence and security to 5 per cent of GDP, but not until 2035. The target, expected to be formally agreed by Nato countries at the summit in The Hague, includes spending 3.5 per cent on "core defence" and another 1.5 per cent on "resilience and security". It represents a significant jump from the current 2 per cent Nato target, and from the UK Government's aim of spending 2.5 per cent of GDP on defence from 2027 and 3 per cent at some point after the next election. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad But the figure is in line with the demands of Mr Trump , who has called for Nato allies to shoulder more of the burden of European defence. Ahead of his trip to the Netherlands , Sir Keir Starmer said the increased spending target was "an opportunity to deepen our commitment to Nato and drive greater investment in the nation's wider security and resilience".
The Herald Scotland
23-06-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
UK ‘utterly condemns' escalation after Iran attacks US military base
Armed forces minister Luke Pollard said the UK was monitoring the 'fast-changing situation' closely and that 'the UK Government utterly condemns any escalation'. 'Force protection now is at its highest state across all deployed units in the Middle East,' he told the Commons. 'The additional RAF Typhoon jets announced by the Prime Minister have now arrived in the region to reinforce our posture, deter threats and reassure our partners, and I want to be clear, we will not rule out sending further capabilities if they are required,' he said. Armed forces minister Luke Pollard said the UK was monitoring the 'fast-changing situation' (PA) The Foreign Office had advised British nationals in Qatar to 'shelter in place' after a US security alert. Qatar, which had earlier shut its air space temporarily, said it successfully intercepted the missiles and no casualties were reported. A base in Iraq housing US troops was also targeted, but Iran did not claim credit for that attack. Foreign Secretary David Lammy had urged Iran to 'take the off ramp' and return to the negotiating table with the US. His plea came after an air raid by American B-2 stealth bombers and a salvo of submarine-launched missiles hit Iran's nuclear facilities on Saturday night. Meanwhile, the UK has started evacuating Britons from Israel, with the first group of 63 flown back via Cyprus and due to return to the UK on Monday. The Foreign Secretary said an RAF A400 had taken the group of British nationals and that more flights will follow. He also confirmed that one British national in Israel had been injured during Iranian missile attacks and had been offered consular support. Downing Street said 'around 1,000' people had requested a seat on an evacuation flight – a quarter of the 4,000 who had registered their presence in Israel or Palestine with the Foreign Office. The Government has withdrawn staff from its embassy in Iran and is operating 'remotely', Mr Lammy told MPs. Mr Lammy previously spoke of a two-week window for a diplomatic solution after President Donald Trump's apparent decision last week to delay US military action. On Monday, he said the window had 'narrowed' but told MPs the need for a diplomatic solution remained. 'My message for Tehran was clear, take the off ramp, dial this thing down, and negotiate with the United States seriously and immediately. 'The alternative is an even more destructive and far-reaching conflict, which could have unpredictable consequences,' he said. He also faced questions on the legality of the US strikes, but said it 'must rightly be a matter for the US government in relation to their action' and added: 'This was not our action. We have been clear that we were not involved.' David Lammy urged Iran to 'take the off ramp' Earlier, Downing Street had said that preventing Tehran from obtaining a nuclear bomb was a 'good thing' for the UK, but declined to comment on whether the US strikes complied with international law. Meanwhile, Israeli jets hit targets in Tehran on Monday including the security headquarters of the Revolutionary Guard Corps and Evin Prison, the regime's main site for detaining political prisoners and human rights activists. In turn, Iran carried out its own strikes against cities in Israel, and sparked fears of a wider regional conflict as it accused the US of crossing 'a very big red line'. Meanwhile, oil prices reached their highest level for nearly six months over fears a regional conflict could restrict supply, especially if Iran decided to blockade the Strait of Hormuz. The jump in prices prompted Mr Trump to post on his Truth Social platform: 'EVERYONE, KEEP OIL PRICES DOWN. I'M WATCHING! YOU'RE PLAYING RIGHT INTO THE HANDS OF THE ENEMY. DON'T DO IT!' Mr Lammy told MPs the Government was 'closely monitoring' the energy markets and urged Iran to keep the Strait of Hormuz open, saying a blockade would be 'a monumental act of economic self-harm' and make reaching a diplomatic solution even harder.
