Defence News

Defence News: 29 February 2012

Launch of new single government website
Defence Secretary responds to criticism over Navy tankers order
Defence Ministers visit central Asian countries
Grenadier Guards train for Helmand
Sailors fight fire at Antarctic base

Defence in the Media: 29 February 2012

Summary
The BBC and Sky News have been broadcasting reports today about the Olympic air security training exercise, codenamed Taurus Mountain 2, taking place in Lincolnshire. | The Independent reports that Afghans who severed ties with the insurgency in return for promises of money and jobs are being tempted to drift back, disillusioned by poverty and fear. | The Daily Mail reports that there is alarm at Government plans to allow controversial court cases and inquests to be heard behind closed doors, including negligence claims against the MOD for death and injuries arising from 'friendly fire' incidents. | Various papers report that Tickets for Troops has been given 500 tickets for England's friendly against Holland tonight to distribute to members of the Armed Forces. | Various papers report that the National Security Council discussed how to put pressure on the Syrian President's regime yesterday, with the Prime Minister saying Britain has a 'moral imperative' to act.

Defence Secretary responds to criticism over Navy tankers order
A letter from Defence Secretary Philip Hammond responding to calls that the MOD contracts for new Royal Fleet Auxiliary tankers should have been awarded to UK firms has been published in the Daily Mail today.

Mr Hammond's full letter said: "No British firm put in a bid and the Italian company [Fincantieri] never indicated during the two-year bid process that they would build any of the tankers in the UK.

"When we are building complex warships or highly sophisticated weapons, of course we must protect Britain's industrial base. But when it comes to non-military type equipment, I am clear that my responsibility is to get the best deal for the UK taxpayer and plough the savings back into the front line.

"In this case, the choice we were faced with was to buy South Korean and save hundreds of millions of pounds for the taxpayer, or let the work to an Italian shipyard. I believe we made the right choice."

HMS Victory
The Sun reports that the Royal Navy is to hand over Nelson's HMS Victory to a museum, amid fears it will be used to host corporate events.

The MOD is considering options for the future of HMS Victory that will reinforce her status as a Royal Navy flagship and a commissioned warship. There are no plans to sell Victory. Under consideration is how her future can be secured by responsible custodianship as befits such a national icon.

The Royal Navy and Ministry of Defence see as paramount the preservation of HMS Victory for the nation. Whatever is decided in the interests of securing the ship's future, she will remain a commissioned warship under the White Ensign and with a Royal Navy ship's company.

On the issue of corporate hospitality, this is not new. Since it was formed, the National Museum of the Royal Navy has sponsored events on board, although any such occasion has to be in keeping with the status of this important symbol of our naval heritage.

The maintenance of the ship was given a significant boost last October when BAE Systems Surface Ships was awarded a £16m contract to support HMS Victory. The contract involves the most extensive restoration since the ship returned from the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.

Image of the Day: 29 February 2012

HMS Daring has participated in a Combined Maritime Forces operation in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. The ship took part in Operation SCIMITAR ANZAC as part of her seven-month deployment to Combined Task Force 150 and saw the Task Force, made up of HMS Daring, HMAS Parramatta (from the Royal Australian Navy), PNS Babur (from the Pakistan Navy), and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessel Wave Knight (all pictured), operating together. [Picture: LA(Phot) Keith Morgan, Crown Copyright/MOD 2012]

Defence Diary: 29 February 2012

Today, Wednesday 29 February
Media facility for Olympic air security exercise Taurus Mountain 2 at RAF Waddington, Lincoln.
HMS Liverpool's final visit to Liverpool (until 5 March).
HMS Tireless visits Southampton (until 5 March).
Royal United Services Institute event: Sir Kevin Tebbit and Professor Michael Clarke on 'The Afghan Papers: Committing Britain to War in Helmand, 2005-06'.
Chatham House event - Libya's Recovery: Prospects and Perils.

Tomorrow, Thursday 1 March
St David's Day celebrations by Welsh Guards at Hounslow Barracks.
Defence Equipment & Support Joint Support Chain: Joint MOD & Industry Conference.

Friday 2 March
Operation HERRICK media day at Copehill Down, Salisbury Plain Training Area.

Sunday 4 March
Exercise Snow Lion - the British Army Ski Championships - begins at Aviemore in Scotland (until 10 March).
TV programme of interest: 'War Horse: The Real Story', Channel 4, 2000hrs. The truth about the million horses that served during  the First World War.

Monday 5 March
HMS Astute returns to the UK.
4th Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment Heroes' Welcome ceremony at Northallerton.
Royal United Services Institute Journal Presentation: Cyber-Weapons.
Innovation 2012 Conference, Chatham House (until 6 March).
TV programme of interest - Royal Marines: Mission Afghanistan, Channel 5, 2100hrs. Episode 6 of 6.

Tuesday 6 March
Inquest in Scarborough into the death of Craftsman Andrew Found, from the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, who was killed in Afghanistan on 16 June 2011.
Memorial service for Nancy Wake - a Special Operations Executive agent during the Second World War nicknamed 'the White Mouse' by the Gestapo - at Australia House, London.

Wednesday 7 March
International Institute for Strategic Studies event: Launch of The Military Balance 2012.
Chatham House event - Cash and Compassion: The Role of the Somali Diaspora in Relief, Development and Peace-building.

Defence News: 28 February 2012

Afghan and British forces seize Taliban anti-tank weapon
Medics erect field hospital in Army exercise
Body armour saves British soldier from Taliban bullet
HMS Somerset welcomed home from counter-piracy mission
Leeming's Air Traffic Control Squadron named best in RAF

Defence in the Media: 28 February 2012

Summary
Various papers report that a Taliban suicide car bomber has killed at least nine people and wounded 10 others in an attack at Jalalabad Airport in eastern Afghanistan. | The Wall Street Journal reports that the UN has pulled its international staff out of its main office in north eastern Afghanistan amid growing violence in the area sparked by the Koran-burning incident. | The Daily Telegraph reports that Britain has signalled the start of the withdrawal of its vast military infrastructure from Afghanistan with the signing of a crucial new defence pact which should ensure safe passage home for billions of pounds worth of vital equipment. | The Telegraph also reports Peter Luff's comments to manufacturers last week that set out his arguments as to why British firms do not have an automatic right to supply the Armed Forces as the Government looks to secure the best deal for taxpayers. | Various papers report that two British cruise liners have been turned away from an Argentine port as tensions mount over the future of the Falkland Islands. | The Telegraph reports that an Army Major who received the Military Cross after allegedly exaggerating his heroics has been dismissed and given a suspended jail sentence. | Various papers report that Syria claims that a constitutional referendum held on Sunday was approved by close to 90 per cent of voters, even as international reaction to its ongoing crackdown intensified, with the EU announcing fresh sanctions against key regime figures.

Families of dead troops let down by the MOD
The Daily Mail reports that the House of Commons Defence Select Committee has said that families of troops killed or injured in action do not get enough support from Whitehall officials. The paper also highlighted the committee's concern over the future care of servicemen returning from war zones with serious brain injuries.

The MOD welcomes the House of Commons Defence Select Committee report into military casualties and particularly welcomes its acknowledgement that the medical care provided for Service personnel is excellent.

The long-term medical and social care needs of those with brain injuries are significant and the MOD exercises considerable effort to ensure that the proper provisions are in place before the Service person is discharged. The Department has been working with the NHS and the Devolved Administrations on protocols for the transition of care once Service personnel are discharged.

We understand how important it is to assist the families of injured Service personnel and have taken action to enhance the care and support given as lessons are learnt. Casualty Notification and Visiting Officers ensure early and consistent contact between the family and the Service and strong welfare and support networks already exist which provide families with immediate advice.

However, the MOD is not complacent and we continue to strive to learn from those experiencing injury and bereavement in order to improve further the support we provide.

Image of the Day: 28 February 2012

Members of Zulu Company, 45 Commando Royal Marines, gather for Exercise South West Sword to practise abseiling, roller haulage and the use of cave ladders for cliff assaults. [Picture: LA(Phot) Andy Laidlaw, Crown Copyright/MOD 2012]

Defence Diary: 28 February 2012

Today, Tuesday 28 February
House of Commons Defence Committee: Military Covenant in Action - Accommodation Inquiry evidence session.
King's College London War Studies at 50 seminar: Terrorism, Radicalisation & War Studies.

Tomorrow, Wednesday 29 February
Media facility for Olympic air security exercise Taurus Mountain 2 at RAF Waddington, Lincoln.
HMS Liverpool's final visit to Liverpool (until 5 March).
HMS Tireless visits Southampton (until 5 March).
Completion of Gaza Barracks at Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire.
Royal United Services Institute event: Sir Kevin Tebbit and Professor Michael Clarke on 'The Afghan Papers: Committing Britain to War in Helmand, 2005-06'.
Chatham House event - Libya's Recovery: Prospects and Perils.

Thursday 1 March
St David's Day celebrations by Welsh Guards at Hounslow Barracks.
Defence Equipment & Support Joint Support Chain: Joint MOD & Industry Conference.

Friday 2 March
Operation HERRICK media day at Copehill Down, Salisbury Plain Training Area.

Sunday 4 March
Exercise Snow Lion - the British Army Ski Championships - begins at Aviemore in Scotland.

Monday 5 March
HMS Astute returns to the UK.
4th Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment Heroes' Welcome ceremony at Northallerton.
Royal United Services Institute Journal Presentation: Cyber-Weapons.
Innovation 2012 Conference, Chatham House (until 6 March).
TV programme of interest - Royal Marines: Mission Afghanistan, Channel 5, 2100hrs. Episode 6 of 6.

Tuesday 6 March
Inquest in Scarborough into the death of Craftsman Andrew Found, from the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, who was killed in Afghanistan on 16 June 2011.
Memorial service for Nancy Wake - a Special Operations Executive agent during the Second World War nicknamed 'the White Mouse' by the Gestapo - at Australia House, London.

Defence News: 27 February 2012

Elite Afghan police uncover Taliban weapons and drugs
HMS Illustrious works with Danish military in Copenhagen
RAF signallers honoured for Afghanistan tour
Naval Reservist hoping for Olympic chance
Afghanistan operational air update 18 February 2012

Defence in the Media: 27 February 2012

Summary
Various media reported on Saturday that after the shooting of two senior American soldiers, NATO has pulled out of Afghan ministries in Kabul and the Foreign Office has confirmed that the British Embassy in the city has been closed temporarily. | The Independent reported that Pakistan has made its first public appeal for the Taliban to participate in peace talks with the Afghan Government. | Various papers reported that the IRA has admitted that they killed a young boy, Gordon Gallagher, in 1973, and then tried to blame the British Army. | The Daily Star Sunday reported that British soldiers have helped the Afghan security forces seize £32m worth of drugs and weapons during two raids 48 hours apart. | The Sun on Sunday reported that Falkland veterans and the US are calling on Britain to stop giving £452m worth of aid to Argentina. | The Sun on Sunday also reported that the MOD has drawn up contingency plans for an Iranian conflict that could see UK troops and other assets stationed in the United Arab Emirates. | The Sunday Telegraph reported that the success of the Military Wives Choir has started a trend across the Armed Forces, with 20 similar groups starting up among Service families. | The Sunday Times reported that plans for 'a cut-price Trident' are being drawn up as a political concession to the Liberal Democrats. | Various papers today have coverage of the ongoing situation in Syria, with the UN Human Rights Council due to meet later today to discuss the violence. Yesterday, the regime pressed ahead with a referendum on a new constitution, despite an opposition boycott. | Various papers report that Afghans protesting against the burning of Korans surged past police to attack a US military base with grenades, wounding at least seven foreign soldiers, defying calls from President Karzai for calm. | The Sun reports that a British soldier carried on battling insurgents despite being shot in the back. | The Daily Star reports that a British soldier who lost his legs in a bomb-blast in Afghanistan is to raise thousands for charity by swimming with sharks. | The Daily Telegraph reports that Britain may be unable to afford all the new Joint Strike Fighter jets it wants as American defence cuts and European austerity measures push up the aircraft's price. | The Times reports that the task of moving Britain's entire contingent of 20,000 troops and their families from Germany began last month, with the withdrawal scheduled to be completed in 2020, 15 years earlier than first envisaged. | The Daily Mail reports that a team of Special Forces troops is providing a 'ring of steel' around Prince William in the Falklands amid mounting tensions with Argentina over the islands.

Army accommodation 
The Times reports that married soldiers living in Army accommodation will be forced out of their homes under cost-cutting proposals being considered by the MOD. This is not the case. The New Employment Model is looking at a range of measures connected with provision of support to our Service personnel from 2020, including accommodation.

Any option would maintain the importance of publicly-provided accommodation as part of overall Service terms and conditions. No decisions have been taken and a report is due for consideration by the Defence Board this summer.

In the Strategic Defence and Security Review, the Government made a commitment to develop a New Employment Model (NEM) for Service personnel. The MOD has set up a ten-year programme to develop this and recognises that the current employment model for Service personnel has not changed much in the last 40 years and requires improving to better meet the needs of today's modern Armed Forces. The NEM aims to promote greater stability in Service life balanced against the requirement to deliver operational capability.

Mental healthcare
The Sunday Telegraph reported that the father of Lance Corporal Liam Smith has criticised the mental healthcare his son received from the MOD.

The mental health of Service personnel is a top priority and we have robust systems in place to identify and treat those with mental health issues including when deployed on operations. The MOD's highly experienced mental health professionals deliver high quality treatment at the Departments of Community Mental Health both in the UK and overseas.

The MOD has, however, robust procedures in place to address any concerns expressed by Service personnel as to the standard of care they receive. Due to patient confidentiality, it is not appropriate to comment on individual cases.

Famous regiments facing the axe
The Sunday Times reports that some of the Army's most famous regiments could face the axe under a shake up of the Army structure.

A review of the future structure of the Army is ongoing and no conclusions have yet been reached. Idle speculation on the possible outcomes of that review only serve to bring about uncertainty for serving soldiers and their families.

The Army will be restructured to an integrated regular and reserve force of 120,000 personnel by 2020. This is in line with the agreement made between the Defence Secretary and the Chief of the General Staff for a gradual move towards the new Army structure so operations are not adversely affected by necessary changes.