itself, the defence committee i- itself, the defence committee i serve _ itself, the defence committeee i serve on,11members- itself, the defence committee i serve on, 11 members cross- itself, the defence committee i. serve on, 11 members cross party, six former— serve on, 11 members cross party, six former ministry— serve on, 11 members cross party, six former ministry of— serve on, 11 members cross party, six former ministry of defence - six former ministry of defence ministers— six former ministry of defence ministers and— six former ministry of defence ministers and former- six former ministry of defence ministers and former service i ministers and former service personnel, _ ministers and former service personnel, so— ministers and former service personnel, so hopefully- ministers and former service . personnel, so hopefully people ministers and former service - personnel, so hopefully people would except _ personnel, so hopefully people would except we _ personnel, so hopefully people would except we know — personnel, so hopefully people would except we know that _ personnel, so

gdp on defence.wo and a half percent of gdp, and by far— two and a half percent of gdp, and by far the — two and a half percent of gdp, and by far the biggest defence investor amongst _ by far the biggest defence investor amongst european allies, and the biggest _ amongst european allies, and the biggest defence budget in the alliance of the united states. and contributing in so many different ways _ contributing in so many different ways to — contributing in so many different ways to different nato missions and operations. i think european allies, again. _ operations. i think european allies, again. not— operations. i think european allies, again, not least by the example of the united — again, not least by the example of the united kingdom are demonstrating to the united states that we do this together— to the united states that we do this together and the united states knows they have _ together and the united states knows they have not been at war with the second _ they have not been at war with

and today we are going further, we would increase our defence r&d to a minimum of 5% of the defence budget set up a new defence innovation agency so that for the first time decisions about defence innovation will be brought together in a single strategic agency that will be freed from red tape and work with the private sector on emerging new technologies. third, we must support ukraine for the long term. since the cold war ended the freedom of our continent has been based on a simple idea, that it is for people to decide the fate of their countries, not foreign armies, and if we allow vladimir putin to win in ukraine, the principle of sovereignty would be undermined. we would be dragged back to a world where brute force rather than the democratic will of free people would shape the borders and decide futures. and vladimir putin would not stop in ukraine, because win there, he and others will be involved in, so he has the desire is not yet the capacity to attack other countries in europe, potentially including nato allies who we would be bound to defend just as they are bound to defend us.

this year _ spending 2% of gdp on defence this year in _ spending 2% of gdp on defence this year.ukraine, first on main battle tanks and the _ ukraine, first on main battle tanks and the position strike and the training of ukrainian soldiers and pilots. _ training of ukrainian soldiers and pilots, this is a reason why uk is a staunch _ pilots, this is a reason why uk is a staunch and — pilots, this is a reason why uk is a staunch and perfect nato ally. lastly, — staunch and perfect nato ally. lastly, we go to the polish media. i'm from the press agency. are there any talks— i'm from the press agency. are there any talks with — i'm from the press agency. are there any talks with nato _ i'm from the press agency. are there any talks with nato countries - i'm from the press agency. are there any talks with nato countries about l any talks with nato countries about expanding — any talks with nato countries about expanding the _ any talks with nato countries about expanding the nuclear— any talks with nato countries about expanding the nuclear sharing - expanding the nuclear sharing pr

and the otential civil defence network is. and the potentialfor_ civil defence network is. _ civil defence network is. and the potential for a counter _ civil defence network is. and the potential for a counter attack - potential for a counter attack from israel, do we have any idea what that could look like and just talking about the history of this relationship you've been following it for very long time. this is for like inflection point to you? == like inflection point to you? -- feel like an — like inflection point to you? » feel like an inflection point? i think this scale of israel's response to be calibrated on how effective the attack is and if the attack is largely unsuccessful, then there will be in the balance or when israel calculates but it's response should be and if the attack is successful in the light and military targets are hit, and if civilians are hit as well, then israel has made it very clear that they will retaliate in kind and benjamin netanyahu said today that those who harm us, we will harm them. the question tonight isjust harm us, we will harm

welcome i think on the face of it — defence by 2030.30. welcome i think on the face of it is a _ defence by 2030. welcome i think on the face of it is a really _ defence by 2030. welcome i think on the face of it is a really positive - the face of it is a really positive announcement, and it is clear that our conventional defence is not really doing thejob our conventional defence is not really doing the job that it should do. as the prime minister said, really since the end of the cold war, we have let it slip and we had a defence that when putin looks across, it does not deter him. also if it encourages the other nato countries to start spending more on defence, we have a much more credible nato in which to hold back putin. i think it's also very important to put our defence industry in a war footing. the russians did this two or three years ago and literally turning tractor factory into tank factories. i think it's a realisation that there is a very real possibility, if ukraine doesn't prevail we in nato are going to be drawn directl

and last friday, nato defence ministers agreed to further bolster ukraine's air defences.germany's delivery of another patriot system is imminent , another patriot system is imminent, and other allies made concrete commitments in that nato meeting, with deliveries expected soon. faced with the biggest conflict on the european continent since the second world war, our decisions today will have consequences for generations to come . we must not generations to come. we must not falter. we live in a more dangerous world, authoritarian powers are increasingly aligned. russia is receiving support for its war of aggression from china, iran and north korea . china, iran and north korea. this reminds us that security is not regional. security is global and we must work with our like minded partners around the world to preserve and protect transatlantic security . nato is transatlantic security. nato is a defensive alliance. we do not seek conflict with russia , but seek conflict with russia, but we will keep our 1 billion we will keep our1 billion people safe . the 10,000 nato peop

i think this is — defence spending. absolutely. i think this is another _ defence spending. will talk about very diplomatically in public, which they did so today. 0laf scholz talked about nato is an alliance between nations. i am about nato is an alliance between nations. iam not about nato is an alliance between nations. i am not courting about nato is an alliance between nations. iam not courting him verbatim but he was saying presidents come and go but we trust in this long—term partnership. they are three nothing in public, we are really worried about the potential president trump return to the white house. but when i speak to officials in berlin, they are certainly doing some contingency planning around how to as they would put it and was mentioned, strengthen the european pillar of the nato military alliance and part of that is as we have seen more defence spending and there seems to be a public recognition from rishi sunak and 0laf scholz that europe does need to do more as the complaint is notjust from donald trump, although maybe he is the most vocal in the way he

i've been talking to a senior defence backbencher , to a senior defence backbencher, mp with defences on the backbench of the tory party he says. you know it's priced in. the tories will do not so well in next week's local elections and maybe even the mayoral elections . but and maybe even the mayoral elections. but this spending on defence is, is exactly what the right of the party wanted to see happen and has now happened. so in a sense, mr sunak, politically, he wouldn't want to admit this is getting ahead of what could be a difficult weekend in eight days time and the following days after that, when summer forecast yet another challenge to his authority from the backbenches. so it is quite good politics. it's also very good politics. it's also very good for this country. if you do believe the concerns that the government has about the so—called this axis , opposing so—called this axis, opposing the uk, russia, china and iran , the uk, russia, china and iran, then what is announced here is getting ahead of that and leading the way to other nato countries to match 2.5% of gdp on de

you have worked in the defence department. what| in the defence department.will be able to give israel, support or also side to side, for example, in missions to counter iran? what do ou missions to counter iran? what do you anticipate? _ missions to counter iran? what do you anticipate? i _ missions to counter iran? what do you anticipate? i know- missions to counter iran? what do you anticipate? i know that l do you anticipate? i know that we are probably working very closely from an intelligence sharing perspective and of course as our military as well, civilian leaders have said we will support them in the defence of israel. i think when you talk about anything further than that, it really gets caught up in what the us military can do without the us congress being involved, but is one of your previous guests said, the hope is that there are a few cycles of this. we still don't know exactly what will happen with the drones and the incoming that is going towards israel but are there off ramps and i know it is in the best interest of national security and re

spending , our own defence spending, our own defence spending, our own defence posture as well, reaching the next five years. our world certainly is getting more dangerous. and our economy, which is very much vulnerable to global movement , vulnerable to global movement, international supply chains, access to markets and so forth , access to markets and so forth, security of supply relating to energy needs, of course , is energy needs, of course, is under threat. so this is very, very welcome indeed . yeah. very welcome indeed. yeah. >> all of that's true. and i agree with every word of your analysis. all it makes me wonder why why in the recent budget did jeremy hunt basically not even mention defence, let alone increase the spending? why is rishi sunak done it now? am i right to think that a summer general election could be just around the corner? >> well, you might think that. and maybe there is. i think it's more just to do with the grid. in number 10, the budget was about the domestic audience or where the economy is going. movement, which is good to see, getting inflation down to 2

is air defence and all the conversations olaf and — defence and all the conversations olaf and i— defencezelensky yesterday, again talking about the importance ofair yesterday, again talking about the importance of air defence, and he was talking — importance of air defence, and he was talking about the role that olaf and germany have played in that, and i and germany have played in that, and i have _ and germany have played in that, and i have nothing but praise for olaf bostock— i have nothing but praise for olaf bostock leadership on this and we have a _ bostock leadership on this and we have a wide coalition of countries who are — have a wide coalition of countries who are united in wanting to support ukraine _ who are united in wanting to support ukraine. everyone can bring something different and complimentary to the table, but the key thing _ complimentary to the table, but the key thing is we are united in wanted support— key thing is we are united in wanted support ukraine for as long as it takes. _ support ukraine for as long as it takes. so — support ukraine for as long as it t

this year i expect two thirds, — defence. this year i expect two thirds, 20 _ defence. spend 2% of gdp on defence. | thirds, 20 or perhaps even more to spend 2% of gdp on defence. i got the reaction _ spend 296 of gdp on defence. i got the reaction of _ spend 296 of gdp on defence. i got the reaction of a _ spend 296 of gdp on defence. i got the reaction of a political - the reaction of a political correspondent.— the reaction of a political correspondent. the reaction of a political corresondent. .,. ., , the reaction of a political corresondent. ., , _, correspondent. the fact he has come out and said — correspondent. the fact he has come out and said that _ correspondent. the fact he has come out and said that would _ correspondent. the fact he has come out and said that would be _ correspondent. the fact he has come out and said that would be by - correspondent. the fact he has come out and said that would be by 2030, | out and said that would be by 2030, thatis out and said that would be by 2030, that is going to be warmly welcomed by those have been pushing for th

we defence. for a generation.ill increase defence spending to a new baseline of 2.5% of gdp by 2030. >> that announcement comes as rishi sunak warned president putin will not stop at the poush putin will not stop at the polish border if his assault on ukraine is allowed to continue. earlier, britain pledged its largest ever package of aid for kyiv worth £500 million during the warsaw trip. the pm is holding talks with the leaders of poland, germany and nato, warning that the defence of ukraine is essential to our joint security . well, ukraine's joint security. well, ukraine's president zelenskyy has welcomed the package , which includes the package, which includes long—range missiles, armoured vehicles and boats . on the day vehicles and boats. on the day that five channel migrants died off the french coast, including a four year old child, gb news can reveal that more than 250 others have crossed to the uk . a others have crossed to the uk. a small boat got into difficulties off wimereux beach near boulogne befo

we need another defence review. d0 really? we need another defence review. do we?he said, why don't we create a for union defence that'll scare our enemies? >> yeah. i mean, and everyone sort of agrees that defence is becoming much more of a national priority. the world is becoming more unstable . i don't want to more unstable. i don't want to exaggerate that. i'm not saying we're on the brink of world war iii or anything like that, but certainly you can see tensions, you know, war breaking out in the middle east. we still have the middle east. we still have the war in ukraine, waging on tensions increasing in the far east, two between china and various other east asian countries. so, you know, we are living in a more dangerous world and defence is should be at the forefront of people's mind. >> but what is suddenly triggered this change, because it was just weeks ago in the budget, when jeremy hunt and the chancellor were insisting that they'd get to 2.5% of gdp when they'd get to 2.5% of gdp when the economic conditions allowed. well, nothing's changed economical

tier and layered air and missile defences.to those existing layered airand missile addition to those existing layered air and missile defences which can track, detect and destroy things like low and slow flying drones or a land attack cruise missiles or high and fast flying things like surface to surface missiles like ballistic missiles, israeland to surface missiles like ballistic missiles, israel and other countries do have a history of being able to interdict or shoot down lower and slower flying drones using interdict or shoot down lower and slowerflying drones using military aircraft as well. we believe, it has been alleged, that this is how the israelis stopped some of the drones provided by iran that the houthis fired in the few weeks after october the 7th before the maritime campaign that the houthis and yemen commenced against red sea targets, they were attempting to strike israel by air assets and indeed the israelis may have been using f16s or f—35s to shoot them down. we know during the yemen war between saudi arab

i had great confidence in the defence system... there _ confidence in the defence system...s that there may some kind of iranian response, did you anticipate that it would be a direct strike on israel? yes. did you anticipate that it would be a direct strike on israel?— a direct strike on israel? yes, i did think _ a direct strike on israel? yes, i did think it _ a direct strike on israel? yes, i did think it would _ a direct strike on israel? yes, i did think it would be _ a direct strike on israel? yes, i did think it would be may - a direct strike on israel? yes, i did think it would be may be i a direct strike on israel? yes, i . did think it would be may be about 50 missiles, i didn't think... | 50 missiles, i didn't think... wasn't too 50 missiles, i didn't think... i wasn't too worried about the possibility of that happening. butter was very worried about what is coming _ butter was very worried about what is coming next. i can't say i slept for a _ is coming next. i can't say i slept for a good — is coming next. i can't say i slept for a good night. we is coming next

involve society in defence and defence involves society.hat didn't go so well and probably were on a mistaken premise to an extent like iraq and afghanistan. we've got to be what is in the interest of british, british society and the british community. and that's going to be a big ask . but it's got to be be a big ask. but it's got to be quick. it's got to be sharp and it's got to be uncompromising. and i don't think the last few defence reviews i've looked at did that entirely. >> well, there you go. wise words as always from robert fox, defence editor at the evening standard. great to have you on the show. thank you. thanks for, well, you go. well, there you go. >> for a digest there. well, there you go. >> very for a digest there. well, there you go. >> very .for a digest there. well, there you go. >> very . yeah.iigest there. >> very. yeah. >> very. yeah. >> we a strategic review >> we need a strategic review into defence. it seems. into our defence. it seems. >> there we go. well, i'm sure you have thoughts. gbnews.com/win all say. but

to spend more on defence.'ve all gone with this one. the i news tories unveil uk's biggest hike military spending for a generation. the daily star finally they have gone off peace. kim jong un's favourite imperialist launches war on slugs. those we are from pages . slugs. those we are from pages. so, steve, as heraclitus said in one of his famous fragments, war is father of all things and king of all things. he renders some gods , others men. he makes some gods, others men. he makes some slaves, others free. well, the cleansing fire of war is upon us all. seems that way. >> and do you know who to thank? the daily mail. >> and do you know who to thank? the daily mail . okay. victory the daily mail. okay. victory for mail campaign is how they go with it. it's a victory for them because they a while ago said you know what? you should spend more on war. and now rishi is doing they go, well, clearly it's just because of the daily mail. there's no other factor that might have led to this becoming a political outcome

we have seen what appeared to be the air defence missiles fired by uranian air defences in some capacitytargets but also potentially other places. which i think is an indication of the comprehensive nature of the attack that israel is under at the moment. israel, israeli spokesman for the last couple of hours are talking mainly about their having been a drone attack, but they�*re also concerning that there is also a missile attack, too. iran has been saying that for some time but israel is not confirming that, too. in other words, this is notjust a small—scale attack that is limited, it is pretty broad in its deployment.— it is pretty broad in its deployment. it is pretty broad in its delo ment. , deployment. and, james, you were mentioning — deployment. and, james, you were mentioning there _ deployment. and, james, you were mentioning there sirens _ deployment. and, james, you were mentioning there sirens going - deployment. and, james, you were mentioning there sirens going off. l deployment. and, james, you were mentioning there sirens going off. i just wonder if he could remind us l

and mr defence in a generation. and mr speaken defence in a generation. and mr speaker, i am sure that members will also want to join me in wishing the jewish community a happy passover , a celebration of happy passover, a celebration of freedom. but of course, we remember the empty chairs of those hostages still being held captive in gaza and call for their immediate release . mr their immediate release. mr speaken their immediate release. mr speaker, this morning i had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others in addition to my duties in this house.i addition to my duties in this house. i shall have further such meetings later today . jonathan meetings later today. jonathan gullis mr speaker, i too would like to pass on my thoughts and prayers to lord field's family, friends and colleagues, and particularly the students and teachers at the birches head academy in stoke on trent, who are part of the frank field education trust . mr speaker, education trust. mr speaker, since being elected in 2019, i have helped reopen tunstall town hall with a new

we defence. for a generation.e will increase defence spending to a new baseline of 2.5% of gdp by 2030. >> well, that announcement comes as rishi sunak warned that president putin will not stop at the polish border if his assault on ukraine is allowed to continue. earlier, britain pledged its largest ever package of aid for kyiv worth £500 million. during the warsaw trip, the pm is holding talks with the leaders of poland, germany and nato , warning that the defence nato, warning that the defence of ukraine is essential to our joint security. ukraine's president zelenskyy has welcomed the package , which includes the package, which includes long—range missiles, armoured vehicles and boats as well. as we've been hearing, police were faced with violence today. saint george's day event in whitehall this afternoon when a group tried to force its way through a cordon . mounted officers on cordon. mounted officers on horses needed to intervene when the group broke through the police barrier. the force earlier said it ex

those were our defence missiles. that was the result of iran's air defence system, we have confirmed that israel says they have launched. >> this is the famous rhetoric. the posturing, the beating of the chest just like israel was able to take down those missiles and suicide drones they came over a couple of days ago, everybody was talking about how the attack was weak. obviously we are saying how layered and advanced our missile defence technology is. it's a big escalation. i do believe they are going to continue to posture and beat the top drama. the sense that i'm getting is that this was a strategic, limited to, selective strike where the targets are we don't know yet. sounds like a conversation was had between the generals as things continue we will find out where those missiles went... it leads me to believe that there may be other pieces. they are not talking or spilling the beans. it could be because there -- they are setting up something else. the problem is you've got hezbollah on the north, you've got hama

ben wallace, the defence, the former defence secretary who pledged to who wanted to raise that defenceding to 3, was incredibly popular in the conservative party. if the labour party could sweep up some of those conservative members, perhaps then that would be a very nice situation for keir starmer. >> yeah, wouldn't it just. okay, olivia, thanks very much indeed . olivia, thanks very much indeed. i'm particularly fascinated by this . just because i'm barrow is this. just because i'm barrow is my hometown . my hometown. >> yeah. >> yeah. >> i thought of you the first thing i read this morning. >> yes. i mean, i remember watching when was school or watching when i was at school or sixth or something, sixth form or something, watching the first trident watching the very first trident come all my, know, come out and all my, you know, family, grandparents, uncles all worked in the shipyard in vickers then, it became what vickers and then, it became what did what did it become ? did what did it become? >> i can't remember, we all just call it vickers up north, but it's, i .just call it vick

the last line of defence.y, israel spent billions of dollars to be prepared for exactly this scenario, had the help of its allies and very much neutralized what could have been a much more consequential attack. israel says most of what iran fired was destroyed even before it reached its territory. here's one that was shot down over iraq. but there was one exception. an iranian missile did get through its defences, hitting an airbase — confirmation that it was targeting military sites. but in this case, it caused limited damage. this was a calculated attack by iran using just a fraction of its firepower, enough to send a message, but not enough to overwhelm israel's air defences. our team at the bbc verify hub has been looking at all the images and videos that have come out since saturday's attacks. 0ur verify reporter merlyn thomas has more. for the first time, iran has carried out direct strikes against israel. an israeli army spokesperson said that overnight, hundreds of drones, cruise missiles and ballistic

for the defence, i am listening _ listening out for?tening for— listening out for? for the defence, i am listening for them _ listening out for? for the defence, i am listening for them to - listening out for? for the defence, i am listening for them to craft - listening out for? for the defence, i am listening for them to craft the theory around mr trump is a big picture guy, a guy who doesn't deal with these details. they might say something like four $130,000 for donald trump is like $5 to you or me. it is something he won't pay a lot of attention to. he instructed the money be paid, but the way it was paid, the mechanism through which it was paid was totally done by the accountants and that he had nothing to do with it. that is the picture i think the defence will want to paint for the jury. interesting. and then we were expecting to move on relatively quickly to hear from the first witness. it looks like the date might be shortened now, so we don't quite know, and we aren't going to guess what we hear. just talk us through the proc

defence of defence of the british people. and so there's got to be tied in.. >> and i think in the world that we are currently living in, i think to a lot of people defence spending is going to be very important at the next general election. it may be one of the key factors in who they decide to vote for. so it is something that sir keir starmer will have to think about quite seriously. >> i think, yeah, i think he will now a teenage girl has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after two teachers, teachers and a teenage student were stabbed at a school in wales. >> yes, a man valley school was put into lockdown shortly after 11 am. yesterday after three people were injured. emergency services responded, including wales air ambulance . police say wales air ambulance. police say the injuries are not life threatening. forensic teams have been on site and a knife has been on site and a knife has been recovered and the suspect remains in custody. well, superintendent ross evans spoke to the media. >> i'm aware that there is footage circulating on social

the sling is the next layer of defence. these pictures — the next layer of defence.he iron dome — pictures overjerusalem show the iron dome in action, the last line of defence — iron dome in action, the last line of defence. most of what iran fired was destroyed even before it reached its territory — was destroyed even before it reached its territory. here is one that was shot— its territory. here is one that was shot down— its territory. here is one that was shot down over iraq. the videos from social_ shot down over iraq. the videos from social media — shot down over iraq. the videos from social media report to show a rare exception. — social media report to show a rare exception, and missile impacting an israeli _ exception, and missile impacting an israeli air_ exception, and missile impacting an israeli air base. we can't verify these — israeli air base. we can't verify these images. this was a calculated attack— these images. this was a calculated attack by— these images. this was a calculated attack by iran using just a fraction of its _ attack by iran using j

the last line of defence.llions of dollars to be prepared for exactly this scenario, had the help of its allies and very much neutralized what could have been a much more consequential attack. israel says most of what iran fired was destroyed even before it reached its territory. here's one that was shot down over iraq. but there was one exception. an iranian missile did get through its defences, hitting an air base confirmation that it was targeting military sites. but in this case, it caused limited damage. this was a calculated attack by iran using just a fraction of its firepower, enough to send a message, but not enough to overwhelm israel's air defences. pope francis earlier expressed his sorrow and concern for the worsening situation in the middle east. he called for dialogue and peace. translation: i follow in prayer and with concern, even pain, - the news that has come in the last hours about the worsening situation in israel due to the intervention by iran. i make a heartfelt appeal for every action

the defence and beersheba.tary says that a new british military laser could be on ukraine's front line by 2027 to help take down russian drones. grant shapps claims the weapon will have huge ramifications for the conflict. the so—called dragon fire is capable of cutting through its targets with an intense beam of light. it comes after the age of conscription in the uk, in ukraine was lowered last week by two years to 25, in an effort to help replenish troops , rishi help replenish troops, rishi sunakis help replenish troops, rishi sunak is launching an employment plan which aims to help veterans secure high paid jobs after they leave the armed forces. more than £2 million is being put into what's being called the op prosper scheme, which will help people transfer their skills developed in the military businesses across areas including cyber , digital and in including cyber, digital and in manufacturing are being encouraged to play their part well. as we've been hearing . the well. as we've been hearing. the for

and they struck back at an iranian defence system located neara an iranian defence system located nears so i would say for now we have exchanged blows and this is behind us but i think we have to recognise the iranians have crossed a line and for years while they attacked other countries including israel it has always been through proxies. their readiness to attack and launch such a sizeable amount of missiles and drones from iranian territory should haveis drones from iranian territory should have is concerned what this means for the future. and don't forget you can get much more analysis from the middle east on the bbc news website. it includes today bbc verify analysing satellite images that appear to show that an iranian air defence site was damaged in friday's air attack by israel. you can read that online or on the bbc news app. as well as the money for ukraine, israel and allies in the asia—pacific, the house of representatives also passed a bill which could ban the video—sharing platform, tiktok, unless it cuts ties with china. nomia iqbal has more. several bills being proposed

china has provided can phone —— components to boost the defence production.sia has ramped up air strikes against ukrainian cities and critical infrastructure. it has rained down ammunition is on brave ukrainians defending their homeland. this weekend, and ifind this amazing, the report of cheers breaking out in the report of cheers breaking out in the trenches in eastern ukraine, i am not show any came from, but they were cheering as they watched the house vote in support for ukraine. they understand what we have done. they understand what we have done. they have noticed how critical it is for them. they have noticed how critical it is forthem. i they have noticed how critical it is for them. i am they have noticed how critical it is forthem. iam making they have noticed how critical it is for them. i am making sure the shipment will start straightaway. in the next few hours, we will begin sending equipment ukraine. for artillery, rocket systems, armoured vehicles. this package is investment not only in ukrainian security but in european security. and our own

and, from rishi sunak, this promise on defence spending...e spending to a new baseline of 2.5% of gdp by 2030. that starts today. is it time to be candid now with people that the costs of supporting ukraine are going to run into the billions and billions for years and years to come? could this last another decade? well, chris, as i touched on, unfortunately, we're living in a more dangerous time than at any point since the end of the cold war. if we don't deter russia in ukraine, all we're going to do is embolden putin to go even further, and indeed embolden other adversaries around the world. there's no way we can run away from that cost. we have to pay. not least because we need to understand that the most expensive alternative is to allow putin to win in ukraine. labour says it would raise defence spending to 2.5% of national income as soon as resources allow — not as concrete a commitment. i fully support what the prime minister has announced in relation to further funding for ukraine. it's vitally important that we continue to support uk

our defence correspondent jonathan beale explains. can travel twice the speed of sound. most of those who were fired from iran itself, the first time iran's directly attacked israel from its own territory. but the us says some were also launched from iraq, syria and yemen. were also launched from iraq, syria and yemen-— were also launched from iraq, syria and yemen. ., ., , ., , ., ., , and yemen. iran has demonstrated has and yemen. iran has demonstrated has an a- etite and yemen. iran has demonstrated has an appetite for — and yemen. iran has demonstrated has an appetite for risk, _ and yemen. iran has demonstrated has an appetite for risk, but _ and yemen. iran has demonstrated has an appetite for risk, but it _ and yemen. iran has demonstrated has an appetite for risk, but it doesn't - an appetite for risk, but it doesn't have an appetite for much risk. they wanted to impose a cost on the other side without necessarily triggering a broader escalation and an all—out confrontation. 50 a broader escalation and an all-out confrontatio

systems and new supplies for air defence get installed.sing this period of time to do the rest of their plans to our energy system. so it's going to be harder for ukrainian business and the population to survive this year of war. in this way russians want to make ukrainians more thinking about, maybe we should sign a peace agreement or something, because our energy infrastructure is so badly damaged. and with ukrainian drones targeting russian oil refineries in some of the western region of that country, this is also very important because those two oil refineries are directly involved in russian military logistics and resupplying russian troops in eastern ukraine with all kinds of fuel. so this direct military target, and what's also important is that we know well that vladimir putin, the russian leader, mostly doesn't pay any attention to russian economic crisis or any western economic sanctions. to him, this is not a priority. but the only economic indicator that he pays attention to is inflation and price growth. and i'm sorry to cut y

we have also been hearing from israel's defence minister yoav - israel's defence minister yoav gallantwhat has he been saying? again, he had a phone call with the american defence secretary. he said that any kind of attack that comes from iran would lead to an israeli response. so there have been those concerns. this is obviously something people here in israel are talking about. a senior american general has been sent to israel to have conversations with top military officials to talk about the possibility of this iranian attack and an israeli response. again, there is an anxiety and a concern but there is no panic here. there is no run on shops or banks. this is obviously something that people are talking about, that has been discussed on television, in newspapers, but there isn't panic here. but everyone is waiting to see how the iranians are going to respond and whether this response will come in the next few days. hugo bacheaa will come in the next few days. hugo bache . a in will come in the next few days. hugo bachega in jerusalem, _ will come in the next few days. hugo bachega

i had great confidence in the defences and... ., , ., had great confidence in the defences and... ., in israel for the past _ and... there was an expectation in israel for the past two _ and... there was an expectation in israel for the past two weeks i and... there was an expectation in israel for the past two weeks thatl israel for the past two weeks that there may be some kind of iranian response, did you anticipate that it would be a direct strike on israel? yes. i do think, i did think it would be smaller, may be about 50 missiles, i didn�*t think it was going to go —— i did think it was going to go —— i did think it was going to go to a military base. maybe that�*s why i was kind of perhaps more relaxed. i was very worried about what was coming next and this is just one thing, worried about what was coming next and this isjust one thing, i can�*t say i... and this is 'ust one thing, i can't sa i... ., , ~ ., and this is 'ust one thing, i can't sa i... . , ~ ., ., say i... last night. we heard from the idf say i... last night. we heard from the w in — say i... last night. we hea

the last line of defence.israel spent billions of dollars to be prepared for exactly this scenario with the help of its allies to neutralise what could have been a much more consequential attack. israel sa s consequential attack. israel says most _ consequential attack. israel says most of _ consequential attack. israel says most of what - consequential attack. israel says most of what iran - consequential attack. israelj says most of what iran fired was destroyed even before it reached its territory. here is one that was shot down over iraqi. but there was one exception, anna rainey and missile did get through it defences and hit an air base. confirmation that it was targeting military sites. but in this case it caused limited damage. this was a calculated attack by iran using just a fraction of its firepower. enough to send a message but not enough to overwhelm israel's air defences. for more israel's air defences. for more i spoke to colin clark the director of research at a global intelligence and security

you mentioned that defence sendin: said. you mentioned that defence spending pledge _ said.nd yes - said. you mentioned that defence spending pledge and yes it - said. you mentioned that defence spending pledge and yes it is i spending pledge and yes it is interesting that keir starmer is saying i would hope at some stage to get to that 2.5% of economic output spent on defence but there is a pretty big caveat there. it's when it's possible and it doesn't feel to me like that's a particularly cast—iron pledge that we can hold a potential future labour government to account on all that easily because they just aren't to account on all that easily because theyjust aren't giving a timeframe for it at the moment but what is significant and what feels like a big pledge from him today is what he calls an absolute commitment to retaining nuclear weapons if the labour party wins power. that's significant for a couple of reasons. one is that keir starmer says labour will spend what it takes to maintain the system and to upgrade it and secondly he says it is a long—term promise, design

james heappey of gdp on defence.heappey of course he's saying the same thing, but both those two, james heappey, of course, the former armed forces minister, are they both seem happy with 2.5. and as things stand, labour haven't got an answer. so we are seeing the guardrails, the almost the lines opening up between labour and tories on defence. i do not think they will come together . i think they will come together. i think they will come together. i think labour are clear they will commit to spending after the election . the tories are saying election. the tories are saying before it is now an election issue . issue. >> yes, indeed. well, thank you very much, christopher. hope our political editor. and also congratulations on the marathon. i haven't seen you since you were completed that feat. good stuff. lots of money raised. anyway, shall we speak to the deputy chairman of the conservative party, jonathan gullis mp john, we've got to start with the elephant in the room. that extraordinary long question in prime m

defence, to put - want you to put more resources in your own defence, to put more . your own defence defence - your own defence, to put more resources in the defence of- your own defence, to put more . resources in the defence of other countries — resources in the defence of other countries you _ resources in the defence of other countries you need _ resources in the defence of other countries you need to _ resources in the defence of other countries you need to be - resources in the defence of other. countries you need to be important. it's countries you need to be important. it's another — countries you need to be important. it's another thing _ countries you need to be important. it's another thing is _ countries you need to be important. it's another thing is if _ countries you need to be important. it's another thing is if we say - countries you need to be important. it's another thing is if we say we - it's another thing is if we say we are going — it's another thing is if we say we are going to— it's another thing is if we say we are going to be— it's another thing is if we sa

he is meeting with his defence minister to talk about— meeting with his defence minister to talk aboute systems on the cities that need — air defence systems on the cities that need it, like kharkiv and the north-east, _ that need it, like kharkiv and the north—east, as well as for them to be deployed on the front lines were russia _ be deployed on the front lines were russia enjoys air superiority. but it is on_ russia enjoys air superiority. but it is on those very fortifications were _ it is on those very fortifications were president zelenskiy is open this packet will change things, because — this packet will change things, because itjust today this packet will change things, because it just today we had the rosters — because it just today we had the rosters defence minister claiming to have taken a small village. 0n rosters defence minister claiming to have taken a small village. on its own, _ have taken a small village. on its own. it _ have taken a small village. on its own, it won't mean much, but it is feared _ own, it won't mean much, but it is feared in _ own, it won't mean

defence experts who soke to important. defence experts who spoke to the _ important.ant. defence experts who spoke to the bbc said that - important. defence experts who spoke to the bbc said that they | spoke to the bbc said that they believe russia's objective right now in this conflict is to create a sense of hopelessness in ukraine to convince the west that this war is no longer worth it to support. do you think that is what russia is trying to do? thank you for this question. i think that russians are doing this since the first day of this since the first day of this full—scale war. they use all possible ways— propaganda, disinformation, internal and inside influences inside of ukraine but i think that nothing can break ukrainian will to win this war, to liberate our land, to protect our families so i liberate our land, to protect ourfamilies so i think liberate our land, to protect our families so i think that it is impossible to win the war when you are aggressor and impossible to lose the war when you protect your families, impossible to lose the war when you p

on defence spending, rishi sunak announced yesterday britain would be hiking up defence spending to 2.5%expected later this year in the uk, although the polls are looking a bit gloomy for mr sunak but he insisted was a plan to pay. germany pass defence spending set to reach 2% this year, certainly not 2.5% and a commitment from germany that i'm aware of to do so. it is interesting, they are only hitting 2% for the first time since the early 905, basically since the end of the cold war. there is a feeling that there is a lot of catching up to do and they mentioned a couple of times this idea of a turning point in how germany approaches defence and security, which i think people here would certainly say as they work in progress and there have been so accusations that change has been to so. pm accusations that change has been to so. �* . accusations that change has been to so. �* , , ., . , so. an interesting question as well, are ou so. an interesting question as well, are you 100% _ so. an interesting question as well, are you 100% convinced _ so. an interesting question as well, are you

video online shows iranian defence missiles being fired into the air.ommercial flights were diverted around iranian airspace, but iranian media say all restrictions have now been lifted. the international atomic energy agency has confirmed there is no damage to iran's nuclear facilities. in a social media post, the agency's director general, rafael mariano grossi, continued to call for extreme restraint from everybody and said nuclear facilities should never be a target in military conflicts. iran's semi—official tasnim news agency, which is close to the islamic revolutionary guard corps, posted a video with a caption saying, "isfahan�*s nuclear site is completely safe". in the video, a man near the isfahan nuclear technology centre is seen showing his watch to the camera to indicate the time and date. we can then see several troops standing around what looks like an air defence battery. reuters news agency is reporting that an unnamed iranian source has said there is no immediate plan for retaliation. as well as these explosions in iran, they were repo

the defence ministers.f international support, support that had been waning and drifting away from its favour in the last few weeks as criticism over its conduct of the war in gaza had been mounting. so, for now, israel is enjoying a military victory in the sense that it managed to deflect and prevent any serious injuries or casualties from taking place, and also diplomatic support notjust from regional allies and allies like the united states, but we see across europe and the arab world. there has a lot of focus on hezbollah and we have seen the proxies acting as well overnight. what's your reading as to that situation? could that still flare up? again, those proxies have been conducting their operations going back to november. some of them even before then, we know hezbollah has been active on the northern frontier for quite a while, the united state was successful in using its carrier groups and its assets in the region to intercept those attacks coming notjust from iran, but also from lebanon, yemen, sy