Europe • The Defense Post

Nov- 2026 -

3 November

NATO personnel receive a briefing on FPV drone training at Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine in Germany in 2025. Photo: 1st Lt. Tam Le/DVIDS

UK, France to Lead Exercise Testing Plans for Postwar Force in Ukraine

The UK and France will lead a multinational exercise to test preparations for a force that could deploy to Ukraine after fighting ends.

3 November

The troops conduct the drill movement in open order on parade with the colours, at the pass out parade in Army Foundation College (AFC) Harrogate. More than 400 marched onto the parade square to mark the successful completion of their Phase One training. The prestigious ceremony is the culmination of months of intensive training, nurturing and education that is tailored exclusively to junior soldiers. Their final exercise is an intense, seven-day battle camp encompassing all they have learnt during their time at AFC Harrogate. The 17 and 18-year-olds will now go on to complete their trade training before joining regiments across the UK. The College based at Uniacke Barracks in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, provides a unique combination of military basic training and vocational training. It has two intakes a year in March and September and runs two types of courses. A 49-week course (including eight weeks holiday) for those joining the infantry, Royal Armoured Corps/Household Cavalry, Royal Artillery and some Royal Logistic Corps roles. A 23-week course (including three weeks holiday) for those joining courses with longer Phase 2 training – these are Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, Royal Engineers, Royal Signals, Adjutant General’s Corps, Royal Army Medical Corps, Army Air Corps and some Royal Logistic Corps roles. The military training syllabus teaches the Junior Soldiers the basics of soldiering, from how to look after their kit to how to safely handle and fire an assault rifle. They learn fieldcraft and take part in military exercises.

Giulia Bernacchi

UK to Require Industrial Offsets for Major Overseas Defense Purchases

The UK announced a policy to require overseas companies winning major British defense contracts to provide domestic industrial benefits.

3 November

Staff Writer

Ukraine Says Russia Lost Record 54,400 Troops in October

Russia suffered 54,400 troops killed and severely wounded in October, its heaviest monthly toll since the full-scale invasion began in 2022, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

3 November

File photo of the Belgian Navy minehunter BNS Bellis (M916) in Bergen, Norway

Staff Writer

Belgium Hands First Tripartite Minehunter to Bulgarian Navy

Belgium has handed minehunter BNS Bellis to the Bulgarian Navy, the first of seven Belgian and Dutch ships Sofia is taking on to clear Black Sea mines.

3 November

Concept of the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) sixth-generation fighter jet

Staff Writer

Germany Weighs GCAP Fighter Role as Airbus Prepares Talks With BAE

Germany is weighing a role in the UK-Italy-Japan Global Combat Air Programme as Airbus prepares talks with BAE Systems on contributing to the fighter effort.

2 November

Inder Singh Bisht

US Approves Potential $2.1B Sale of 500 Patriot Interceptors to Ukraine

The US Department of State has approved a potential $2.1-billion sale of Patriot Advanced Capability-3 Missile Segment Enhancement interceptors to Ukraine.

Oct- 2026 -

30 October