UK Armed Forces Weekly News Roundup (26th July - 1st Aug 2025)

Welcome to this week’s British military news update, covering the latest developments across the British Army, Royal Navy, Royal Air Force, and veterans’ affairs. From historic defence treaties to submarine breakthroughs and recruitment gains, here’s everything you need to know.


British Army: Tragic Loss and International Training

The Ministry of Defence confirmed the death of Private Harry Johnson of the 2nd Infantry Training Battalion on 24 July 2025, marking a sombre moment for the Army’s training community and reminding us of the enduring risks faced during basic training.

 

Meanwhile, British and German troops took part in a Rhine crossing exercise led by the new Amphibious Engineering Battalion – a milestone in combined riverine operations that showcases growing interoperability within NATO.

Royal Navy: AUKUS Treaty Signed & Baltic Sea Monitoring Operations

Formalisation of the Geelong Treaty

The UK and Australia signed the long-awaited Geelong Treaty, a 50‑year agreement under the AUKUS framework, outlining submarine co-development and shared military infrastructure. The pact is expected to generate up to £20 billion in trade and reinforce the SSN‑AUKUS partnership through to 2050.

Baltic Vigilance by HMS Iron Duke

HMS Iron Duke has been actively shadowing Russian naval vessels in the Channel and up into the North Sea, often operating alongside allied maritime patrol aircraft and helicopters. These operations underscore the Royal Navy’s readiness to protect UK maritime domains from potential threats.

Royal Air Force: Steady NATO Contribution, Still No Air Tattoo Headlines

While no major public RAF announcements emerged this week, UK forces continued NATO air policing missions including Operation Chessman in Poland as NATO transitions toward end-of-mission protocols. Internal updates and recruitment milestones were also quietly promoted by service publications, maintaining visibility of RAF contributions.


Veterans’ Affairs: Quiet But Ongoing Support for Transitioning Personnel

Although there were no national level announcements from the Office for Veterans’ Affairs this week, regional veteran hub activity remains ongoing, particularly around Faslane and HMNB Clyde. These developments may soon emerge into the public domain as infrastructure and core services continue expanding.


Defence Review in Action: Strategic Moves Underway

The Strategic Defence Review 2025 continues to influence UK defence posture. Defence Secretary John Healey reiterated the government’s vision of a “NATO first, but not NATO only” approach, particularly relevant as HMS Prince of Wales participates in Exercise Talisman Sabre with over 3,000 UK troops deployed in Australia, Britain’s largest deployment yet for such exercises.

Recruitment and Compensation: Forces Growing, Pay Rising

The UK armed forces recorded a 19% increase in recruitment over the 12 months to 31 March 2025, with the Royal Navy and Royal Marines seeing the strongest gains, an encouraging trend as the Services seek to rebuild numbers. 

In parallel, most service personnel received a 4.5% pay rise from April 2025, though charges for service accommodation also increased. These changes aim to improve retention in key roles and support morale across the Armed Forces.


Keep Following Our Weekly Updates

That’s all for this week’s UK Armed Forces news roundup. From front-line operations to veterans’ affairs, we bring you the most important stories every Friday. Explore our collection of British military-themed prints – from historic RAF aircraft to iconic Royal Navy warships – and own a piece of military history.