Spanish launch heroic bid to seize Brit polar vessel

A band of Spanish net buccaneers has mounted a determined incursion into Her Maj's territorial cyberwaters by demanding that Blighty's forthcoming Royal Research Ship be named the RRS Blas de Lezo, in honour of the man who administered the British a serious military shoeing during the War of Jenkins' Ear.

The £200m floating outpost of empire is due to launch in 2019, and the Natural Environmental Research Council (NERC) recently rather ill-advisedly invited public suggestions as to a suitable title for the intrepid polar adventurer.

This quickly resulted in a swell of support for Boaty McBoatface, which still tops the leader board, albeit with the Spanish pretender snapping at its stern.

HMS Scott at Gibdock

The largest vessel in the Royal Navy’s Hydrographic Squadron, HMS Scott, docked at Gibdock’s Gibraltar yard for a 19-day maintenance period.

It took place as part of the MOD UK’s Commercially Supported Shipping (CSS) Teams Through Life Support (TLS) contract and has brought Gibdock’s strategic location into sharp focus.

“Recent world events suggest that the Royal Navy will highly prize support from strategically-located facilities that can deliver vessels back into service on schedule and to high quality standards,” said Richard Beards, Gibdock’s managing director.

The TSL contract, with main contractor Babcock, runs until 2018 and includes fleet time maintenance, design services and spares management.

Task included capability upgrades such as installing davits port and starboard for Pacific 24 RIBs, modifying the CO2 containment module and upgrading compartment doors.

John Taylor, Gibdock’s operations director, said: “The infrastructure at Gibdock was built to last and is actually similar to that in place at Babcock’s Devonport Royal Dockyard in the UK.”

He continued: “In addition to the favourable weather that makes navy work in Gibraltar possible year-round - even on deck - our managers have a background in MOD contracts enhanced by running a commercial shiprepair yard.”

The main body of work took place with HMS Scott afloat in Gibdock’s No.2 dry dock. Further work included; upper deck preservation, the replacement of existing lights with LED, cleaning of ventilation ducts and flushing of the main engine cooling system.

Mr Beards concluded: “HSM Scott follows up on our completion of works on the multi-role Royal Navy hydrographic survey ship HMS Echo in 2014.”

“Now that the MOD has demonstrated its confidence in Gibdock, we believe that a significant reactivation of Gibraltar’s historic role as a naval repair yard could follow.”

Type 26 progresses with BAE contract

BAE Systems has been awarded a £472 million 15-month contract by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) to progress the Type 26 Global Combat Ship programme, the company announced on 22 March.

The UK plans to buy eight of the advanced anti-submarine warfare ships.

Effective from April 2016, the contract extends the current demonstration phase to mature the detailed design of the vessels and manufacture key equipment for the first three ships.

BAE Systems is working with Babcock for the ships’ air weapons handling systems, GE Power Conversion for the electric propulsion motor and drive systems and Rolls-Royce for the gas turbines. The company expects to award manufacturing contracts to around 50 companies under this phase of the programme. 

Geoff Searle, Type 26 programme director, BAE Systems, said: ‘This is a significant investment in the programme and an endorsement of the government’s commitment to sustain this important national capability. The Type 26 programme is progressing well and over the coming months more of our partners in the supply chain will start to manufacture equipment for the first three ships as we continue to progress towards the manufacturing phase.'

Eventually, the Type 26 ships are planned to replace the Type 23 frigates.

Austal designed and built High Speed Support Vessels preparing for delivery for Royal Navy of Oman

Austal is preparing to deliver the latest variant of the company’s proven theatre support vessel platform, the High Speed Support Vessel (HSSV), to the Royal Navy of Oman (RNO) in April 2016 - following successful acceptance trials in Western Australia.

MoD awards Rolls-Royce, BAE and Babcock contracts worth £372m to maintain Hawk training aircraft

Britain’s biggest engineering firms have been awarded contracts worth £372million by the Ministry of Defence for maintaining its fleet of Hawk aircraft.

Rolls-Royce and defence giant BAE Systems, with maintenance partner Babcock, will share four contracts supporting 700 UK jobs until 2020.

Hawk jets are used by the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force to train pilots before they migrate to flying fighter planes such the Tornados and Typhoons operating in Iraq and Syria.

They are also used by the RAF aerobatics team – the Red Arrows.

Philip Dunne, minister for defence procurement, said: ‘The contracts to support these vital training aircraft are a boost to British industry.’

Contracts worth £293million have been awarded to BAE Systems to modify and upgrade existing Hawks while a £79million contract has been placed with Rolls-Royce to test, repair and overhaul the Ardour engines that power the aircraft.

Hawks have been used to train more than 20,000 pilots in air forces across the world with more than 1,000 Hawks now delivered or on order.

The Government has said it will spend £178billion on buying and maintaining equipment for the Armed Forces over the next decade.

Falkland Islands lie in Argentinian waters, rules UN commission

Argentina’s government is celebrating a decision by a UN commission to expand its maritime territory in the South Atlantic Ocean by 35% to include the disputed Falkland islands and beyond.

The Argentine foreign ministry said its waters had increased by 1.7 million square km (0.66 million square miles) and the decision will be key in its dispute with Britain over the islands. Argentina lost a brief, bloody 1982 war with Britain after Argentinian troops seized the South Atlantic archipelago that Latin Americans call the Malvinas.

The UN commission on the limits of the continental shelf sided with Argentina, ratifying the country’s 2009 report fixing the limit of its territory at 200 to 350 miles from its coast.

“This is a historic occasion for Argentina because we’ve made a huge leap in the demarcation of the exterior limit of our continental shelf,” foreign minister Susana Malcorra said. “This reaffirms our sovereignty rights over the resources of our continental shelf.”

Oil exploration is already pumping millions of dollars into the Falkland Islandseconomy. Many islanders remain concerned about Argentina’s claim as well as the potential for problems from rapid change brought by the new industry.

The UN commission’s finding included the caveat that there is an unresolved diplomatic dispute between Argentina and Britain over the islands.

The Falklands are internally self-governing, but Britain is responsible for its defence and foreign affairs. The British government says islanders cannot be forced to accept Argentinian sovereignty against their will.

The Falkland Islands government said on Monday it was seeking clarification from the British government on “what, if any, decisions have been made, and what implications there may be” for the territory in relation to the UN ruling.

“As soon as we have any firm information we will make it available,” Mike Summers, chairman of the legislative assembly of the Falkland Islands, said in an emailed statement. “Our understanding has always been that the UN would not make any determination on applications for continental shelf extension in areas where there are competing claims.”There was no immediate comment from Britain’s government.

NDM Bahia LPD Entered Active Service with Brazilian Navy Following Maintenance by DCNS

The ceremony for the entry into active service of the NDM Bahia with the Brazilian Navy’s (Marinha do Brasil) fleet took place on 10 March. It follows the end of the technical shutdown that started in Toulon at the end of December 2015. Previously known under the name Siroco in French Navy service, the Bahia is a Landing Platform Dock (NDM for Navio Doca Multipropósito in Brazilian) and belonged to the French Navy before being sold to Brazil in 2015.

Russian Navy Faced with Major Delays in Submarines and Surface Vessels Deliveries

The leadership of the Russian defense ministry met at an expanded session on December 11, 2015 and Minister Sergei Shoigu said that "two multipurpose submarines and eight warships were delivered to the Navy." However the Russian fleet received only two warships last year. They are small missile ships Zeleny Dol and Serpukhov of project 21631 Buyan-M. Military expert Alexander Mozgovoi believes three new auxiliary vessels were included: oceanographic research Yantar ship of project 22010, armament store carrier Academician Korolev of project 20180TB (20181) and rescue vessel Igor Belousovof project 21130, as well as big dry-cargo ship Yauza which completed seven-year long maintenance and modernization. However, they make six vessels all in all, not eight, the expert said. 

RSN Missile Corvette Conducts Successful Live Firing of Barak Missile

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen visited a Fleet Exercise conducted by the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) in the South China Sea on 22 March 2016. During the visit, Dr Ng witnessed the successful live firing of a Barak anti-missile missile from the RSN's Victory-class missile corvette RSS Vigour. Dr Ng was also briefed by Colonel Edwin Leong, Commanding Officer of the RSN's Missile Corvette Squadron, on the conduct of the exercise and the capabilities of the missile corvette.

MOD

The British Ministry of Defense (MOD) revealed Saturday, March 26, 2016, that British soldiers have trained female Peshmerga fighters. The women have been trained by British soldiers in northern Iraq in crucial infantry, medical and counter-Improvised Explosive Device skills, the British MOD said.

Analysis of the Russian military operations in Syria after half year of presence in the country.

Five and a half months of air operation in Syria cost Russia over 33 billion rubles ($480 million). Kommersant daily notes that besides political dividends Moscow is hoping for a major payback as foreign demand for weapons and armaments used in Syrian combat conditions is likely to rise. Director General of Rostech State Corporation Sergei Chemezov shares the view.

UK MOD Allocates Further Funding for Royal Navy’s Type 26 Global Combat Ship Programme

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has announced a further £472 million for the Royal Navy’sType 26 Global Combat Ship programme. It will allow the MOD to continue progressing the project’s demonstration phase, with additional investment for detailed design work, the purchase of essential equipment and setting up shore-based testing facilities. This demonstrates an enduring commitment to the programme, centred on the Clyde, which will benefit suppliers across the UK including companies in Fife, Midlothian, Derbyshire, Warwickshire, West Yorkshire, Hampshire, Dorset, Bristol and Leicestershire.

Eurofighter Typhoon achieves ground trials with Brimstone missile

A series of successful ground rig trials with the air-to-surface MBDA Brimstone missile have been completed at BAE Systems Military Air & Information site in Warton, Lancashire. The trials are part of the integration of the weapon on to the Eurofighter Typhoon combat jet.

Japan opens talks with Western defense companies on F-3 fighter jet development

According to Reuters, Japan has opened talks with Western defense contractors about building a new generation of fighter jets, sources say, in what would mark an important milestone in Tokyo's strategy to maintain its air superiority over rival China. The discussions with defense companies including Boeing Co and Lockheed Martin Ltd come as Japan readies its ATD-X experimental aircraft for its first test flights within days. 

Russian Submarine Detected by French Navy Likely a Former SSBN Converted For Spy Missions

Following the detection of what was reported to be a Russian SSBN by the French Navy, our colleagues from French naval magazine Le Marin are reporting that the submarine may actually be a former SSBN converted into a special purpose submarine for intelligence gathering mission. This assumption, coming from a "well connected source" is interesting and makes much more sense than the SSBN speculation.

AgustaWestland to Provide Philippine Navy with 2 AW159 Wildcat ASW Helicopter

AgustaWestland was awarded by the Philippine's Department of National Defense with the contract to provide two anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopters. The two AW159 Wildact helicopters will be assigned to Philippine Navy. The award was made after DND announced in late 2015 that AgustaWestland was the sole proponent for the said project.

Lord Nelson's HMS Victory cabin on view

Visitors will be able to walk around Lord Nelson's cabin following a major renovation of his flagship HMS Victory.

The ship's visitor route at the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard has expanded by 80%, with access to the Poop Deck and carpenter's store.

Prof Dominic Tweddle, director general of the Royal Navy museum, said it would be seen "in a completely new light".

The ship, which is undergoing a 13-year £35m conservation, featured in the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.

Nelson was injured during the battle and later died aboard the ship.

Andrew Baines, head of historic ships at the museum, said: "This is the most exciting transformation of one of the world's most iconic ships in nearly a century.

The idea is to show visitors the ship as Nelson would have seen her, as part of an exciting new journey around his flagship."

Prof Tweddle added: "Victory is iconic and it is very much cherished by the thousands who visit her every year.

"Visitors will get to experience her anew, and see all of the wonderful areas of the ship that could not have been accessed until now."

Pentagon to open major £200m intelligence centre in Britain

The Pentagon will announce a major new £200m intelligence centre in Britain this week, which would act as the headquarters for all US military data in Europe and Africa, according to US media reports.

Known as the Joint Intelligence Analysis Centre, the facility will be located at the RAF Croughton, a US Air Force base near Milton Keynes, which already processes about a third of US military communications in Europe.

The proposed ultra-secure data centre would be the US headquarters for European and African military communications, employing up to 1,250 staff analysing intelligence from more than 50 countries. It is due to be completed next year.

Many of these functions are currently carried out at RAF Molesworth, the Cambridgeshire air base under the control of the US Air Force, which is being closed down as part of a cost-cutting drive by the American military.

The decision to create a giant intelligence centre  in the UK by merging the facilities of Croughton and Molesworth will be controversial in the US, where there has been a prolonged campaign to set up a headquarters in the Portugese- controlled Azores islands in the  north Atlantic. That campaign is being led by Devin Nunes, the Republican chairman of the House of Representatives Select Committee on Intelligence, which oversees all aspects of the US intelligence community. 

Mr Nevin, a third-generation Californian whose family emigrated from the Azores to America, argues that it would be much cheaper to base the centre in the Portugese islands. He wants the facility to be based in the air force base at Lajes Field on the island of Terceira. 

“What we are trying to do now is put some sunlight on this, so it can be exposed in the public, so people can debate and look at this again. We want thorough questions to be asked,” Mr Nunes told The Wall Street Journal.

The US Department of Defence declined to comment yesterday.

However, when the Molesworth closure was announced last year, a spokesman for the US European Command said: “The planned replacement facility will consolidate intelligence operations into an efficient, purpose-built building, which will save the US Government $74m (£51m) per year and reduce significant operational risk associated with current, substandard, deteriorating facilities.”

By contrast, moving the base to Lajes would cost $1.14bn upfront and cost an extra $43m a year to run, according to Pentagon estimates.

Mr Nunes dismisses those assessments, claiming they ignore issues such as the much higher cost of living in Britain and large supply of houses in Lajes – which he said could eventually save the US taxpayer $1.5bn.

RAF Croughton has a direct cable link to Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) in Cheltenham and serves as a relay station for CIA agent communications. Once the centre is completed, it will be at the front line of intelligence activities and will include personnel from unnamed British agencies, according to US Air Force briefing documents.

The Ministry of Defence and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK also declined to comment on the new centre yesterday.

The US Air Force announced last year that it would leave RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk, RAF Alconbury in Huntingdon and RAF Molesworth as part of a programme to save £320m a year

Two British ships arrive in Japan to carry plutonium to US

Two British ships arrived in eastern Japan on Monday to transport a shipment of plutonium - enough to make dozens of atomic bombs - to the US for storage under a bilateral agreement.

The ships arrived at the coastal village of Tokai, northeast of Tokyo, home to the country's main nuclear research facility, the Japan Atomic and Energy Agency, according to Kyodo News and citizens' groups. It will take several hours to load the plutonium-filled casks on to the ships, both fitted with naval guns and other protection.

The Pacific Egret and Pacific Heron, both operated by Pacific Nuclear Transport, will take the 730 pounds of plutonium to the Savannah River Site, an American government facility in South Carolina under a pledge made by Japan in 2014. The plutonium, mostly from the US and some from France originally, had been used for research purposes.

Environmentalists said it was the largest such shipment since 1992.

Japan has accumulated a massive stockpile of plutonium - 11 metric tons in Japan and another 36 tons that have been reprocessed in Britain and France and are waiting to be returned to Japan - enough to make nearly 6,000 atomic bombs.

The latest shipment comes just ahead of a nuclear security summit in Washington later this month, and is seen as a step to showcase both countries' nuclear non-proliferation efforts.

Washington has increasingly voiced concerns about the nuclear spent-fuel-reprocessing plans by Japan and China to produce plutonium for energy generation, a technology South Korea also wants to acquire, saying they pose security and proliferation risks.

3M22 Zirkon Hypersonic Anti-Ship Missiles to Give Russian Navy Pivotal Advantage

The Project 11442 heavy nuclear missile cruiser 'Petr Veliky' (NATO reporting name: Kirov-class) will have been armed with the latest hypersonic Zirkon anti-ship missiles (ASMs) by 2020. Military experts whose assessments were published in Russian media believe that Russia has considerably outplayed the United States, China and other countries in this area. They say it is a breakthrough which will give Russian Navy a pivotal advantage in the military stand-off in the world ocean. 

Russia's Black Sea Fleet Fifth Project 636.3 Submarine Veliky Novgorod Launched

The fifth Project 636.3 (NATO reporting name: Improved Kilo) diesel-electric submarine, the Veliky Novgorod, built for the Russian Navy’s Black Sea Fleet, has been set afloat by the Admiralty Wharfs Shipyard in St. Petersburg, according to a TASS reporter on site.

Pictures: Indonesia's First Type 209/1200 Submarine Out of Construction Hall at DSME

Pictures have emerged showing Indonesian Navy's (TNI AL) first Type 209/1200 Chang Bogo Class diesel electric submarine (SSK) derivative out of the construction hall at DSME (Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co., Ltd) shipyard in South Korea.

Russian Navy to Receive Project 22350 Frigate Admiral Gorshkov in December 2016

The Russian Navy is planning to receive the Admiral Gorshkov (lead ship of Project 22350), in late 2016, Navy Deputy Commander-in-Chief Vice-Admiral Alexander Fedotenkov said on Friday. When asked about whether the frigate would be delivered to the Russian Navy in December, Fedotenkov said: "Yes, of course."

3rd Astute Class SSN Submarine HMS Artful Commissioned with Royal Navy

Astute Class submarine HMS Artful has officially become a Commissioned Warship of the Royal Navy at a ceremony at HM Naval Base Clyde on March 18 2016. Guest of honour at the ceremony was the submarine's sponsor Lady Zambellas, who had named Artful in September 2013, before her launch in May 2014, in Barrow in Furness.

U.S. soldiers train with Ukrainian soldiers on defense artillery tactics with mortar live-fire exercise.

U.S. soldiers with the 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, partnered with and trained Ukrainian army soldiers on defensive artillery tactics culminating with a mortar live-fire exercise March 19, 2016, at the International Peacekeeping and Security Center.

U.S. military to get permanent access to four air bases in Philippines

The United States and Philippine have reached an agreement that allows for rotational deployment of US military forces at five bases, amid an ongoing standoff with China over the South China Sea. The deal was announced on Friday, when the two countries issued a joint statement listing the bases as Antonio Bautista Air Base, Basa Air Base north of Manila, Fort Magsaysay in Palayan, Lumbia Air Base in Mindanao and Mactan-Benito Ebuen Air Base in Cebu

Red Arrows leave for overseas training

Eleven jets from the Red Arrows aerobatic team have left their Lincolnshire base bound for the Squadron’s annual overseas training – known as Exercise Springhawk.

The Hawk aircraft took off from RAF Scampton and flew to Germany for refuelling, before continuing to Albania and staying overnight in Tirana this evening.

It is the first time the Squadron has formally visited the country and will provide a chance for the team to meet military officers and NATO partners in Albania. The aircraft will then complete the transit to Greece tomorrow.

For the next five weeks, the team – including pilots, engineers and other support personnel – will operate from Tanagra, an Helenic Air Force base, as they prepare for the 2016 season.

The annual training sees the Red Arrows fly three times a day, five days a week, to perfect their performance.

The overseas location provides the better weather which is essential to enable the team to practice and polish the 2016 display, which will be seen by millions of people this summer. It will be the Red Arrows’ 52nd display season since the first in 1965.

Exercise Springhawk is the final part of the pre-season preparation and is also when senior Royal Air Force officers assess the team and decide whether to give approval for the Red Arrows to display in front of the public – known as Public Display Authority (PDA).

China to receive two regiment sets of S-400 air defense missile systems by June 2019

Russia will deliver two regiment sets of S-400 Triumf (NATO reporting name: SA-21 Growler) air defense missile systems to China before the end of June 2019, a military and diplomatic source in Moscow told TASS on Thursday March 17, 2016. 

Nexter NARWAHL 20mm RWS Fitted on French Navy Mistral Class LHD Dixmude

Spotted by Navy Recognition and French naval news website Mer et Marine during a visit in Toulon naval base: The Mistral class Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) Dixmude (the third in the series) has received its NARWAHL remote weapon stations (RWS). Dixmude is the first of the mistral class to receive the weapon upgrade.

Video: Last Operational Catapult Launch for French Navy Super Etendard Modernisé Fighter

The French Navy (Marine Nationale) released a video showing the last operational catapult launch for the Super Etendard Modernisé (SEM) from aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle. The event which took place March 16 2016 as Charles de Gaulle was coming back to Toulon naval base from its deployment in the Middle East marks the end of an era for the SEM.

Russia deployed Mi-28N and Ka-52 attack helicopters in Syria

Russian Armed Forces deployed at least one Mi-28N (NATO reporting name: Havoc-B) attack helicopter in Syria, according to the footage made by the Reuters news agency. The footage was released on March 16. It showed one camouflage-painted Mi-28N helicopter in flight.

NATO deployed E-3A AWACS aircraft to Turkey's Konya airbase

NATO Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) has been deployed to one of its Forward Operating Bases (FOB) at Konya, Turkey to enhance the recognised Air and Maritime picture as part of the Alliance's tailored assurance measures to its southern Ally, the NATO announced yesterday March 17, 2016.

This Cold War nuclear jet bomber could yours for the same price as a Range Rover

Secrecy surrounds the English Electric Canberra's past but the aircraft was likely used for reconnaissance missions, peering over the Iron Curtain, helping to find mass graves in Kosovo and spotting IRA weapon dumps in Londonderry.

It has gone on the market for £70,000, a snip compared to the £850,000 - the equivalent of £18m today - it would have cost to make in 1959.

With a whopping 65ft wingspan and standing nearly 15ft tall the two seater jet would dwarf the average garage.

The Canberra has the ability to fly at 70,000ft and travel at an eye-watering speed of 540mph.

These capabilities allowed it to outrun the piston-powered fighters of the 1950s and was the RAF's first jet-powered nuclear bomber but its role was adapted as the Cold War developed. Bomber Command retired the last of its Canberras in 1961 and they were fitted with cameras to spy on targets deep inside Eastern Europe.

This aptitude for surveillance saw the planes used in every major British conflict until they were retired in 2006 and replaced by drone technology.

This two-seater aircraft for sale, known as XH134, served on tours with the RAF 13 Squadron, 39 (1 PRU) Squadron and 58 Squadron.

By the time it was retired it had accrued a staggering 9,300 hours - 387 days - of flying time. It was bought from the RAF by the display team the Midair Squadron and flown at air shows alongside the Red Arrows and iconic Vulcan Bomber.

But the private company went into administration last year and the aircraft is now being sold by London auctioneers Bonhams. Rob Hubbard, of Bonhams, said: "This is a tremendous a piece of British aviation history, you certainly wont find another one in this country.

"The problem is one hour of flight is going to cost you £50,000 so the initial price is a drop in the ocean compared to running it.

"It is one hell of a big boys toy though.

"Anyone can buy it, it is moving it that is the difficult thing as it is so big. It can be used for flying or put it in a hanger as a museum piece or maybe used for marketing.

"This is the only Canberra aircraft left flying and was retired from its military service in 2006 when the RAF phased them out of service.

UK diplomats stopped over 'spy' claims

Two British diplomats have been caught illegally filming military aircraft near an airfield in North Ossetia, Russian state TV has claimed.

Rossiya 1 said defence attache Carl Scott and assistant naval attache Ryan Coatalen-Hodgson from the Moscow embassy were spying near Mozdok base.

The Foreign Office confirmed that two British men were stopped.

Russian TV claimed an American man was also detained while taking photos at a military airfield in the Moscow region.

A UK Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "It is routine for defence attaches to travel around their host countries in the course of their diplomatic duties. This is no different in Russia.

"The defence attaches from the British Embassy in Moscow submitted to all relevant checks requested by the Russian authorities."

'Car escape'

The report on the Russian state TV channel on Tuesday evening said three "spies conducting surveillance of air bases in North Ossetia and Moscow Region have been detained".

It claimed that one "British general tried to escape in a car with diplomatic number plates" and suggested that the diplomats could be expelled.

The report showed the British men's car and their diplomatic cards.

Reporter Andrey Grigoryev said the men had no permission to be in the area, or to film.

He said Mr Scott had previously been detained by police four years ago in another region of the North Caucasus.

He added that documents had been sent to the Russian foreign ministry for an official representation to be made to the British Embassy.

The incident happened at the beginning of March, according to another TV station, state-controlled Channel One.

The Foreign Office spokeswoman said the men had passed through several checkpoints on their journey but had not been prevented from travelling.

'Spying kit' claim

Mr Grigoryev's report said the American man detained earlier this month near Chkalovskiy military airfield in the Moscow region was a plane-spotter but was in "possession of a full spying kit", including a radio scanner.

The report claimed he had been photographing aircraft of the Rossiya air group used by state officials and Russian intelligence services.

It is not clear whether the American remains in custody or has been released.

First Compartments of HMS Queen Elizabeth Aircraft Carrier Handed Over to Royal Navy Crew

The Aircrft Carrier Alliance has successfully signed over the first compartments of HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH to her crew, over a year ahead of when the ship is due to be delivered to the Royal Navy. The six large compartments are the first sections of the ship the crew has taken ownership of and marks an important step towards delivering the nation's flagship.