Tuesday, February 17, 2026

Ukraine's military turns Russian equipment into 'scrap metal' in newly released video -- Russia scales up offensive from north of Pokrovsk -- Investigation: European companies keep the motors of Russia's war machine running -- Lithuania warns against 'hollow' Article 5-like guarantees for Ukraine ... and more

https://activitypub.writeworks.uk/2026/02/tuesday-february-17-2026/

Milford Haven shortlisted for new UK munitions factory

The Government has committed to building at least six new factories across the UK, producing weapons components including propellants, explosives and pyrotechnics. Officials say the investment will restore onshore energetics production for the first time in nearly two decades.

Pembrokeshire on the shortlist

Potential sites include Milford Haven in Pembrokeshire, alongside Grangemouth in Scotland and Teesside in Northeast England. Other areas under consideration are Monmouthshire, Cumbria, Dumfriesshire, Ayrshire, Shropshire, Cheshire, Derbyshire, Essex, Worcestershire and Hampshire.

The Ministry of Defence has already commissioned feasibility studies and engineering design work, with construction expected to begin on the first site within the next year.

Jobs and investment

The Government says the programme will create at least 1,000 new jobs nationwide, with Defence Secretary John Healey describing the initiative as “building the factories of the future in Britain.”

He added:

“We are making defence an engine for growth, unambiguously backing British jobs and British skills as we make the UK better ready to fight and better able to deter future conflicts.”

Wider defence investment

Alongside the munitions programme, two new drone factories are opening this week — Helsing’s “resilience factory” in Plymouth and STARK’s new production line in Swindon.

The Government argues that the investment will not only strengthen the UK’s Armed Forces but also deliver a “defence dividend” in the form of skilled jobs and industrial growth across the nations and regions of the UK.

#armedForces #explosives #milfordHaven #ministryOfDefence #munitions #munitionsFactory #propellants #pyrotechnics #ukGovernment

Rocket to be launched from Brazil’s Alcântara base Sunday

This is the beginning of a public–private partnership between Brazil and S. Korea to launch small satellites. The launch center is located on the coast of Maranhão state.

Agência Brasil

Reminder how #hydrogen reacts if there's a spark https://youtu.be/ce6imsXTkGQ
Three #men put themselves at grave #risk on Wednesday when they climbed the #launch tower and fixed a leaky #valve on a #rocket filled with #explosive 💥 #propellants https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/16/science/nasa-red-crew-moon.html
#Artemis #SLS #NASA

#SpaceMaintenance #HumanSpaceflightSecurity #SpaceAgency #RocketScience

Three Hydrogen and Oxygen balloon explosions

YouTube