Official site for the British Monarchy

The official Royal Navy site
The official British Army site
The official Royal Air Force site

Service Charities
Save the Gurkha Regiment Campaign
www.savethegurkhas.co.uk

Academic Think Tanks
International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS)
Royal United Services Institute (RUSI)
Joint Services Command and Staff College (JSCSC)


OTHER DEFENCE WEBSITES AND BLOGS

www.thinkdefence.co.uk
Is a blog that promotes the idea of people having sensible conversation about UK defence issues, no more, no less.  It is not a platform to effect change, it is not some campaigning organisation or think tank.  Just for the avoidance of doubt, Think Defence is not supported by anyone but the authors, no industry and no forces associations for example. The advertising on the site pays for hosting and design fees  and is a non-profit site.  However - it is thought to be funded by MoD RAF PR.  It also tends to be hardest on the RN and somewhat anti-aircraft carriers, most comfortable discussing Army logistics and something of an RAF cheerleader.  I don’t agree but it is said to be amongst the best defence information resources available. 

www.ukarmedforcescommentary.blogspot.co.uk
UK Armed Forces Commentary - News, rumours, analysis and assorted ramblings on the strategies, the missions, the procurement of kit and the future of the Armed Forces.

www.defenceviewpoints.co.uk
The UK Defence Forum exists to enable politicians, defence professionals, members of the armed forces and others with an interest in defence, security and peace issues to exchange information and views on future challenges for Britain's defence and safety.

www.defencewithac.blogspot.co.uk
My name is Chris. Some people might recognise me as "Chris.B." - commenter and occasional guest article writer for the website "Think Defence". I've created this blog essentially as an over spill to hold some of my more lengthy thoughts about UK defence, and as a home for articles that are perhaps too short, too obscure and/or too unrelated to UK defence to warrant a guest post on Think Defence. I hope you enjoy it and feel free to leave a comment or use the recommendation tools to share it with others.

www.defenceoftherealm.blogspot.co.uk
Posts on UK defence issues.

www.bobshepherdauthor.com/category/british-defence
Bob Shepherd is a security advisor and author of the Sunday Times Top Ten Bestseller The Circuit. During his nearly twenty years of service with 22 SAS Regiment, Bob participated in the Oman campaign, the Iranian Embassy siege in London, The Falklands War, the first Gulf War and Bosnia. He left the Regiment in 1994 as a Warrant Officer and went to work on the international security circuit as an advisor to media, diplomats and VIPS.

www.thinpinstripedline.blogspot.co.uk
The intelligent blog on defence issues, providing high quality and objective analysis on UK Defence Policy, military affairs and wider global security matters. Although this site is no longer updated, you can contact Sir Humphrey at @Pinstripedline or email [email protected]

www.ukdefencejournal.org.uk
Here at the UK Defence Journal we are dedicated to providing impartial and complete coverage of defence matters in the United Kingdom. Our aim is to become an internationally renowned and trusted defence news source.  We do this as a team of volunteers, we’re not paid by anyone. Our staff is composed of defence professionals, cyber security students, military personnel, industry specialists as well as everyday military and defence enthusiasts. We believe that due to our standards of impartiality and objectivity, we’ve developed a large and ever growing readership.  We are proud of everyone who works tirelessly on our behalf to keep us safe at home and to protect our interests overseas, we have no political affiliation nor are we affiliated with any UK government department.

www.defenceindepth.co
Welcome to Defence-in-Depth, the research blog of the Defence Studies Department, King’s College London, offering in-depth contemporary and historical analysis of the issues behind defence.  The Defence Studies Department is based at the Joint Services Command and Staff College of the UK Defence Academy in Shrivenham, Oxfordshire. It is an interdisciplinary department comprising a mixture of political scientists, international relations and regional security specialists, strategic studies experts, as well as military, naval, diplomatic, and imperial historians. We educate officers in the British and international armed forces and other governmental departments related to defence.

www.ukdf.org.uk
The UK Defence Forum was created in 1996 to inform the defence, security and peace debate by enabling politicians, diplomats, senior members of the armed forces, public servants, defence professionals, academics and others with an interest in defence and security to access and examine information and views on the future challenges of Britain's defence, preparing and publishing research papers, including the Defence Viewpoints blog and Defence Red Box alert and twitter feed, and by facilitating study visits. It is a non-partisan and not-for-profit organisation which holds no views of its own. Its modus operandi might best be summarised as analysis, not advocacy, and it works under the Chatham House Rule.

International Institute for Strategic Studies 
Behind the Military Balance and Shangri-La Dialogue, the International Institute for Strategic Studies is a world-leading authority on global security, political risk and military conflict.   The IISS was founded in the UK in 1958 with a focus on nuclear deterrence and arms control. Today, it is also renowned for its annual Military Balance assessment of countries' armed forces and for its high-powered security summits, including the Shangri-La Dialogue.

www.savetheroyalnavy.org/links
Established in 2007, we are an independent voice. Save The Royal Navy is an online campaign but not an organisation as such. The owners of the site are informed and interested civilians with contributors and supporters which include ex-forces personnel and academics. We have no direct links with the Ministry of Defence, neither are we aligned to any political organisation. For a variety of good reasons names and personal details are not published on the site.  We strongly welcome contributions from everyone and encourage comments on the articles. Whatever your point of view, we welcome friendly and civil debate.
We are looking for new writers to submit articles for this site. If you are interested please contact us.

www.defencetalk.com/forums/navy-maritime
DefenceTalk™.com is your complete resource for International Defence, military and strategic news and information. DefenceTalk™ was launched in March 2003 and has been growing into a mature and professional online Defence community. We strive to attract Defence Professionals, Military personnel, industry specialists as well as everyday military and Defence enthusiasts. Instead of being “just another board or Defence forum,” we’ve introduced and implemented strict rules and regulations to be one of the top leading Defence website portals on the internet.

www.seapowerthinker.com
James (Smith) is a next generation British postgraduate researcher. He focuses on the field of Naval History, Maritime Strategy, Sea Power and related Defence theories.  In the global commons he aims to deliver pioneering research that resonates with current issues while emphasising what sea power can do and has done.  He has a strong commitment to the development of these disciplines, its theories, and the protection of global naval heritage.  He has a strong engagement with discussing pertinent issues such as the challenging aspects of current defence affairs, sea power blindness and the management of policies in which shape our world. He is a strong advocate of sea power and ensuring affairs of the naval and maritime community does not go unheard.

www.navy-net.co.uk
Welcome to Navy Net, the UNofficial RN community – forums and chats.

www.amphibiousnecessity.blogspot.co.uk
Alexander Clarke blogs  - A view of strategy, procurement, warships, navies, and world politics. please note its all my work - information may come from elsewhere, and certainly the pictures do, but the analysis is mine, so any flak about it; address it to me, any praise likewise. I have no problem with defending by debate or being corrected when I am wrong. I hope to someday get some of the ideas published, so any feed back will be of great and most profound assistance.

www.thenavycampaign.com
The Navy Campaign is run by Twenty Thirty Two Ltd – a small organisation (registered as a limited by guarantee company) founded by Steve Jermy and Bethany Torvell. Steve has since stepped down as director, but remains involved in the Campaign (see Save the Royal Navy)

Back to Top

Others to follow up:

UK Armed Forces Commentary
Run by an Italian, Gabriele Molinelli who has exceptional knowledge of the UK’s armed forces. His views on naval issues are both expert and reliable. Making a very valuable contribution to the UK defence debate and recommended reading.   Twitter: @Gabriel64869839 

Defence Synergia
DS is an independent, self-funded defence and strategy research group of former UKNDA members. Aiming to find ways to support the armed forces within budget, but not being afraid to mention when gaps are not funded or supported properly. Pushing for a much-needed over arching strategic narrative to drive defence policy and working behind the scenes talking to MPs and academics. Twitter: @DefenceSynergia

Iain Ballantyne
Iain is an author and journalist who has written about the activities of the Royal Navy for more than 20 years. Currently editor of Warships International Feet Review he recently published the excellent “Hunter Killers” revealing some of amazing activities of Royal Navy submarines during the Cold War. Twitter: @IBallantyn

The Phoenix Think Tank
Established in 2009 by experienced naval officers and academics, this site carries intelligent analysis of defence and maritime strategy issues. Although no longer as active as in the past, their website has been revised with some new papers and some of their best papers are available in their archives 

Lindley-French’s Blog Blast: Speaking Truth Unto Power
Professor Julian Lindley-French provides a regular commentary and analysis on strategic affairs from a UK and European perspective. Regularly warns about the dangers of defence cuts and the total lack of strategic vision of UK politicians. A useful resource for understanding the ‘big picture’ and debunking the myths of soft-power that is the fantasy of so many Europeans. Also regularly highlights the key contribution that navies provide to the delicate balance of power both now and in the past. 

Votes in Defence
A fledgling organisation set up shortly before the 2015 General Election by Rear Admiral Chris Parry (RN Retd) and other individuals, with the aim of ensuring adequate resources and a coherent, sustainable strategy for the Defence of the United Kingdom. Its primary area of activity will to influence political opinion and decision-making at national and international level. 

Grey Funnel Line
Website, Facebook and Twitter campaign to promote the current Royal Navy, and to keep alive the history of the ‘old navy’. Good source of news and information but without much comment on more controversial issues. 

Naval Requirements
A view of strategy, procurement, warships, navies, and world politics written by naval academic Alexander Clarke 

Sharkey’s World
Former Sea Harrier Pilot ‘Sharkey’ Ward is a controversial but forceful defender of naval air power and does not shrink from highlighting RAF propaganda and misinformation.

Dan Entwisle Blog
Journalist, specialising in naval issues writing his own blog.

Naval Forums
Warships Discussion Boards (RN Section)
This is a discussion board which is part of the US-based site NavWeaps.com which is mainly focused on international naval history. This forum is inhabited by naval experts and some very knowledgeable enthusiasts discussing a wide range of RN issues.

DefenceTalk.com  
DefenceTalk.com is an online Community of International Defence experts, professionals and enthusiasts dedicated to the exchange of ideas and information. With a professional edge, this is the leading international defence website. It covers RN issues but has a very wide scope. There is a naval forum here and RN photo section here.

The Rum Ration
Very informal naval gossip and chat forum mainly inhabited by ex-RN and RN personnel commenting on a wide variety of topics.

NavalTechnology.com 
Covering UK and worldwide naval construction, a good point of reference. Aimed at professionals within the naval technology industries carrying news releases and detailed information on industry projects.

DefenceIQ 
Authoritative news source for commentary and analysis on global defence and military-related topics. (Some content requires free user registration to access papers).

Keep Our Future Afloat
A professionally run web site, KOFAC is a consortium of trade union, local authority and local community interests looking to sustain the skills and facilities for naval shipbuilding in the North West of England. 

Olive Oyl, Navy wife.
An honourable mention must go to this charming blog written by a long-suffering Royal Navy wife giving insight into life for partners of those serving. Witty and well-observed, it can be laugh-out-loud-funny or quite sad in places. Service life can be great or very tough at times but also spare a thought for the families left at home. Twitter: @OliveOylNW

British Army Rumour Service
www.arrse.co.uk/community​

Academic and Debating Organisations
Henry Jackson Society   An independent ‘think tank’

The Henry Jackson Society is a non-profit and non-partisan organisation that seeks to promote the following principles: that liberal democracy should be spread across the world; that as the world’s most powerful democracies, the United States and the European Union – under British leadership – must shape the world more actively by intervention and example; that such leadership requires political will, a commitment to universal human rights and the maintenance of a strong military with global expeditionary reach; and that too few of our leaders in Britain and the rest of Europe today are ready to play a role in the world that matches our strength and responsibilities.
 
Special Mention Websites:
 
www.navalclub.co.uk - The Naval Club is the ideal place to stay in London, whether for business or pleasure. In the heart of fashionable Mayfair, the Club occupies a listed Georgian Town House, the 18th Century residence of the Earl of Chatham, brother of William Pitt the Younger, Prime Minister of Great Britain.  Members can hold private and corporate functions and business meetings using our comfortable facilities and elegant function rooms. Accommodation is available in our 27 bedrooms. The Club offers a relaxed and friendly atmosphere in a setting where all those interested in the sea and maritime affairs can feel at home. It is not necessary to have served in the Navy to become a member.

www.palacebarracksmemorialgarden.org - A quiet corner of a Holywood Army base in Northern Ireland has become a memorial and a poignant place of pilgrimage for the bereaved families of the security force personnel killed in the Troubles and other conflicts around the world...

www.battleofbritainmemorial.org - Battle of Britain Memorial   FLY WITH THE STARS will be a star- studied evening of top class entertainment – a nostalgic trip down memory lane.  The stars of today will recreate the hits of 1940 – the music and comedy that did so much to lift spirits during the dark days of 1940 and so helped to win the war.
 
www.royaltournament.org - Remember the Royal Tournament?   To relive the excitement of the Field Gun Run and the enjoy again the many splendors of the Tournament, click here on "Memories of the Tournament"

Michael Yon’s Online Magazine website
"Photo Dispatch of British soldiers at war"
www.michaelyon-online.com
 
www.royalsocietyofstgeorge.com - The Royal Society of St George - The Premier Patriotic Society of England - The Society and is honoured to have as its Patron Her Majesty The Queen

Defence related websites
  • Navy Matters  An unofficial and well researched site about the Royal Navy and its challenges with insufficient resources.
  • The list UK   A mutual support organisation for ex-service personnel.
  • Sama82  An association for veterans of the Falklands' conflict.
  • www.cdiss.org   Centre for Defence and International Security Studies     
  • Sea Vision UK   An association of 190 organisation from across the wider maritime section at sea and ashore
  • Junior Leaders Regiment 
  • HMS Gambia   Ex Gambian? So isn't it time you joined the HMS Gambia Association
  • HMS Cambrian Association 
  • Australia Defence Association  Founded in Perth in 1975 by a retired air force chief, a leading trade unionist and the director of a business peak body, the Australia Defence Association (ADA) has long been Australia’s only truly independent, non-partisan, community-based, public-interest guardian organisation and ‘think-tank’ on defence and wider national security issues
 
Back to Top

Web-site Forums or Chat rooms

The following chat rooms (also described as unofficial community centres) are not related in any way to Defence UK, but their contact details are provided so that those who are interested in seeing the very broad variety and nature of some views on 'Defence' over a wide spectrum may do so.
  • www.rumration.co.uk  The very UNofficial Navy-related chat room Created in 2006 by the operators of the arrse site.        
  • www.arrse.co.uk  The very UNofficial Army-related chat room (community web-site) where 'arrse' stands for Army Rumour Service              
  • www.e-goat.co.uk The very UNofficial RAF-related chat room (rumour network) 
  • www.pprune.org.uk A UK commercial aircrew forum extended to include military aircrew - look under "Military Flying" 

Letters to your favourite editor:
So that you may submit your 'letters to the editor" of your favourite paper - here are the various Newspapers' e-mail addresses.  In order to get your letter(s) selected for publication (the Daily Telegraph, for example, gets about 700 letters a day - and prints about a dozen!), keep your letter:

Short. Punchy. Topical and original!
Only send your letter on any particular subject to just ONE Paper/Editor at one time. Editors normally will only use 'exclusive' letters.  If you don't get a response from the first paper you write to - THEN you can write to another one, and so on.

Lastly - when writing to papers or magazines about Defence related issues, please include a reference to Defence UK - ideally after your signature showing yourself to be "A member of Defence UK".