UK

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has pledged to restore Britain’s status as the “foremost naval power in Europe” and promised significant investment in new warships. In a speech on his vision for the armed forces overnight Thursday, Mr Johnson announced a four-year funding deal, which he said was worth £16.5bn ($29bn), for the Ministry of Defence that would facilitate a generational upgrade of the military.

The government also highlighted offensive cyber-capabilities, now structured within a National Cyber Force that includes personnel from the military, GCHQ, MI6 and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory. The force is intended to disrupt terrorist communications and degrade hostile states’ infrastructure.

Other features of the deal included a Space Command, an artificial intelligence agency and investment in combat drones, Mr Johnson said.

The biggest winner will be the Royal Navy after Mr Johnson set out plans for the service to take on a bigger role...MORE