Defence News

Defence in the Media: 10 May 2013

Summary
Various media report that Prince Harry has visited the White House to attend a reception for military mothers and children hosted by Michelle Obama. | There is widespread coverage of the repatriation at RAF Brize Norton of Corporal William Savage, Fusilier Samuel Flint and Private Robert Hetherington who were killed in Afghanistan last week. | The Guardian reports that Afghan President Hamid Karzai has claimed that the US wants to keep 9 military bases in Afghanistan after 2014. | The Telegraph reports that up to 500 soldiers will be spared from redundancy in June because more troops than expected have already left the Army. | The Daily Mail reports that 39 Arctic Convoy veterans returned to the banks of Loch Ewe in Scotland yesterday to receive their Arctic Star medals. | Various media report that a replica Spitfire was unveiled yesterday in Grangemouth in honour of young pilots who were killed while learning to fly during the Second World War. | The Independent reports that the last of the black Bermudians, Philip Lamb, who served in the RAF in the Second World War, has died aged 90.

Joint Strike Fighter
It has been reported that a National Audit Office (NAO) report into the decision to revert to the STOVL (short take-off and vertical landing) version of the Joint Strike Fighter for the Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers means that the UK's carrier strike capability will be delayed by two years, until 2022, and that the Lightning II jets will not be able to land vertically in adverse weather.

In fact, by 2020 the UK will have operational carrier strike capability and the Joint Strike Fighter aircraft will be able to land on HMS Queen Elizabeth in various weather conditions.

Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said: "The NAO supports the decision to switch to the short take-off and vertical landing variant of the Joint Strike Fighter in the face of escalating costs. Not only did it save £1.2 billion, it also means that by 2018 we will have fifth-generation stealth jets flying off the new Queen Elizabeth Class carrier.

"The decision to act quickly, once more information was available, is evidence of the department's decisive efforts to keep our equipment budget in balance while delivering state-of-the-art capability for our Armed Forces.

"The department does not consider that the phased introduction of 'Crowsnest' undermines the delivery of carrier strike capability. Crowsnest will enter service in 2020, at the same time as HMS Queen Elizabeth, and the helicopter-based radar system will be fully operational by 2022.

"Until then, its maritime surveillance capabilities will be augmented by other platforms and systems, including the state-of-the-art radar on the Type 45 destroyers, working together in a layered defence."

Defence in the Media: 9 May 2013

Summary
Last night's BBC News at Ten reported that the Battle of the Atlantic, the longest military campaign in the Second World War, is being commemorated in a series of events which started yesterday. | Various papers covered the main bills announced in the Queen's speech yesterday. | The Telegraph carries a news-in-brief on plans to increase the size of the Territorial Army to 30,000 members to replace those posts lost to the regular Armed Forces. | The Times reports that relatives of RAF pilot Flight Sergeant Dennis Copping, whose aircraft was found in the Sahara Desert 70 years after it was reported missing, are demanding that proper tests are carried out on human remains found nearby as the bones apparently no longer contain DNA.

Defence in the Media: 8 May 2013

Summary
BBC News reports that the Battle of the Atlantic, the longest continuous military campaign in the Second World War, is to be commemorated in a series of events starting today. | The Financial Times outlines the merits of the plans to reform Defence Equipment and Support into a government-owned, contractor-operated organisation, but warns that there remain a number of important questions to be answered on the proposals. | The Telegraph reports that the Irish government is enacting a formal pardon for the several thousand former soldiers who deserted the Irish Defence Forces to fight for the British Army during the Second World War. | The Times reports that soldiers who claim to have been cheated out of thousands of pounds in pension payments are considering legal action against the government. | The Telegraph reports that Falklands War veteran Sir Sandy Woodward has warned that cuts to the Royal Navy will leave Britain defenceless and 'ripe for the taking'.

Defence in the Media: 7 May 2013

Summary
On Saturday, various papers reported that 77,000 people have signed a petition delivered to the UK government calling for Afghan interpreters to be granted asylum instead of the package of monetary support currently on offer. | Various papers published picture stories about the famed Royal Marines Mud Run that takes place in the estuary of the River Exe near their training base in Lympstone. | The Independent covered last Thursday's decision to acquit Brian Shivers, who had originally been jailed for the murder of soldiers Mark Quinsey and Patrick Azimkar outside Massereene Barracks in Northern Ireland in March 2009. | The Times published a news-in-brief article about the work of 100 Royal Welsh soldiers who have been on an exchange visit to India training alongside soldiers from the 17th Battalion of the Kumaon Regiment. | The Daily Mail reported claims that Britain is edging closer to arming rebels in Syria as the Defence Secretary confirms the Americans are 'rethinking' their position. | Both Sky News and the Telegraph reported on the first UK pilots to fly the F-35B Joint Strike Fighter at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. | On Sunday, the Defence Secretary was interviewed by Jeremy Vine on the BBC's Andrew Marr Show regarding the week's main topics including Syria, Afghanistan, locally-employed civilians and UKIP. | The Sunday Express reported that more than 1,200 troops in Afghanistan have rushed to download a pioneering mobile phone app designed to help them find out whether they are suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. | The Sunday Express also reported that British Special Forces and Afghan troops have raided a Taliban bomb-making factory in the hunt for the insurgents responsible for the blast that killed 3 British soldiers last week. | The Sunday Express reported that British industry is set to receive a £1 billion boost from Australia's decision last week to buy up to 100 F-35B Joint Strike Fighters. | The Independent on Sunday reported that newly-released documents from the National Archive have revealed that Britain was offering to sell arms to Argentina just 3 days before the invasion of the Falkland Islands in 1982. | The Sun reported that Royal Navy fighter pilot Lieutenant Stephen Collins is to become the first Briton to train as a Tom Cruise-style 'Top Gun'. His skills in Afghanistan got him noticed by the US Navy who have offered him a place on the world's most exclusive fighter pilot course. | The Daily Star Sunday published a rebuttal letter from the Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology, Philip Dunne, in response to a critical article about the possible move to a government-owned, contractor-operated equipment and support organisation. | The Mail on Sunday reported that the Royal Navy has been blamed for driving dozens of dolphins to their deaths during anti-submarine war games. | Yesterday, the Telegraph reported that British intelligence is handing 'bundles' of cash to Hamid Karzai for special projects, despite warnings that handouts are promoting corruption in his regime. | The Times reported that an interpreter for British forces in Afghanistan says that he has been warned by locals in Helmand province that he will be hunted down when foreign troops leave. | The Telegraph reported that the Duke of Cambridge could take up a position in the Army after becoming a father this summer. Prince William is considering moving from his current role as an RAF search and rescue pilot to become an adjutant with the Blues and Royals. | Today, the Financial Times reports that the US has raised concerns over the UK's plan to outsource the procurement of military equipment to the private sector. | The Guardian reports that the British military now has 500 drones and has been looking at ways to increase the amount of UK airspace in which to fly some of them. | Various papers report that HMS Montrose has successfully test-fired a Harpoon missile, which is capable of hitting a vessel up to 80 miles away, on an exercise off Scotland.

Soldiers and alcohol misuse
This weekend the Daily Mirror reported on a study into alcohol misuse in the Army.

This study is not an official report and is currently under peer review; however it does raise useful concerns which will be considered further and acted upon where appropriate. In addition, the Army is carefully considering how to further investigate the causes of alcohol misuse and, as part of this, sponsors appropriate research studies which support its understanding of the issue and aims to reduce unhealthy drinking behaviours.

The Army accepts that the moderate consumption of alcohol can be part of Service life, not least in team-building, comradeship and unwinding. However, we always encourage sensible drinking and there are programmes designed to raise awareness and promote drinking in moderation.

Defence in the Media: 3 May 2013

Summary
Various media report that lawyers for 3 Afghan interpreters who worked for British forces are starting legal action to try to win them the right to settle in the UK. | The Wall Street Journal reports that the US has returned to the idea of arming moderate Syrian rebels as a way to shore up the opposition without drawing the US military into the two-year-old civil war. | Various media cover the Queen's visit to Headley Court where she met with injured troops undergoing rehabilitation. | Various papers report that Sergeant Danny Nightingale, the SAS sniper jailed for possessing an illegal weapon, has been recommended for medical discharge from the Army. | The Telegraph reports that a soldier has claimed that badly-fitting helmets are a threat to the Army's marksmen. | The Telegraph also reports that new defence cuts could mean that Britain would fall below the NATO standard for defence spending, straining the UK's military co-operation with the US.

Armed Forces' free post 'may end'
An article in today's Sun alleges that, should Royal Mail be privatised, free postal deliveries for the Armed Forces could be abolished.

This allegation is incorrect and misleading. Free post for the Armed Forces does not depend on Royal Mail remaining in public ownership. These free services are available to servicemen and women who are undertaking operations such as those in Afghanistan and the Ministry of Defence fully reimburses Royal Mail for provision of these services.

Defence in the Media: 2 May 2013

Summary
Various media have reported on the naming of the 3 British soldiers who died after their armoured vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan. | The BBC reports that British troops are training the Malian Army as part of the EU Training Mission based outside the capital city of Bamako. | The Times reports that the Prime Minister has said that the majority of Afghan interpreters working for British forces should stay and help to rebuild their country rather than coming to live in Britain. | The Daily Mail reports that the Prime Minister has signalled that Britain's aid budget could be used to ease Ministry of Defence cuts.

Corporal William Savage, Fusilier Samuel Flint and Private Robert Hetherington killed in Afghanistan
It is with great sadness that the Ministry of Defence must confirm that Corporal William Savage and Fusilier Samuel Flint, both from 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, and Private Robert Hetherington, from 7th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, died of injuries sustained in Afghanistan on Tuesday 30 April 2013.

IED attack on Mastiff armoured vehicle
There has been widespread media coverage of the deaths of three British soldiers in an improvised explosive device (IED) attack on their Mastiff armoured vehicle on Tuesday. Some of the coverage has focused on the protection given by the Mastiff.

We do not yet know the extent of the damage the vehicle sustained and it would be premature to comment on whether the vehicle or its protection were penetrated. The protection afforded by these vehicles has saved many lives already and offers much-improved survivability for our personnel.

Security in Helmand, where most UK forces are based, is steadily improving, with Afghan forces already responsible for the bulk of the province - but the environment in which our troops operate remains risky and dangerous, including the threat of improvised explosive devices and insurgent attack.

One of the major threats facing our personnel in Afghanistan remains that from IEDs. Sadly there are rare examples of incidents which defeat the protection afforded by even the very best protected vehicles available. MOD is constantly seeking to reduce the risks to personnel through a wide variety of technical and other means, but it is not possible to eliminate such risks entirely when operating in a hostile environment.

Equipment alone is not the answer to force protection; it is also a question of tactics and training, and in this respect our soldiers are provided with comprehensive pre-deployment training. We seek to learn lessons from operational incidents and adapt our equipment, tactics, training and procedures accordingly.

Defence in the Media: 1 May 2013

Summary
Various media have reported that 3 British soldiers have been killed in an improvised explosive device blast in Afghanistan. | Various media report that no charges will be brought in relation to the death of Red Arrows pilot Flight Lieutenant Sean Cunningham who was killed at RAF Scampton in 2011 when he was ejected from his stationary aircraft. | The Guardian claims that the Ministry of Defence has stepped up its campaign to draw upon millions of pounds from Britain's aid budget by suggesting that the Department for International Development pays for flights on military aircraft, some navy patrols and body armour. | The Times reports that Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has said that it would be morally indefensible to 'turn our backs' on Afghan interpreters working alongside British troops and has urged the Prime Minister to grant them asylum. | The Daily Express reports that Defence Chiefs are trying to boost recruitment to the Territorial Army by offering a bonus of £5,000 to new soldiers. | The Times reports that France is to ramp up its military co-operation with Britain amidst sharp cuts to the French defence budget.

Three British soldiers killed in Afghanistan
It is with great sadness that the Ministry of Defence must announce that 3 soldiers from 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland were killed in Afghanistan on Tuesday 30 April.

Defence in the Media: 30 April 2013

Summary
Various media report that 7 people died when a civilian cargo aircraft crashed at Bagram Airfield, north of the Afghan capital. | The Times reports that fines imposed on the banks involved in Libor fixing will be used to train former members of the Armed Forces to spot and treat the first signs of mental illness and breakdown among former colleagues. | The Times has published speculation that the Faslane Peace Camp may have to close after 30 years in existence due to a lack of activists.

Defence in the Media: 29 April 2013

Summary
On Saturday, various media reported that an aircraft had crashed in Zabul province in Afghanistan killing 4 military personnel. The cause of the crash is being investigated but it is not thought to have been as a result of enemy activity. | Various papers reported that soldiers from 1st Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment were given a heroes' welcome at Catterick in North Yorkshire on their return from Afghanistan. | The Times reported that a growing group of soldiers have begun teaching young people basic engineering skills as part of a community project to tackle unemployment. | The Times also reported that the widow of a naval officer shot dead while tackling a gunman on submarine HMS Astute has been given a medal marking his courage. | On Sunday, the Guardian reported that the Taliban have announced the start of their spring offensive, signalling plans to step up attacks as the weather warms across Afghanistan. | The Sunday Times reported that a stone cairn that has been the centrepiece of remembrance ceremonies in Afghanistan's Camp Bastion is to be dismantled and rebuilt in Britain next year. | The Daily Star Sunday published an opinion piece by the editor criticising plans to reform MOD's Defence Equipment and Support into a government-owned, contractor-operated organisation. | The Sunday Times reported that the Chief of the Defence Staff has warned the Prime Minister that intervening in Syria would risk sucking UK forces into an all-out war. | Today, various papers speculate that the MOD could receive a total of £500 million in the coming Spending Review when money in the budgets of ring-fenced departments is 'reclassified to help meet MOD's costs'. | The Telegraph reports that the Army defeated the Navy in the Babcock Trophy rugby match at Twickenham thanks to a second successive hat-trick of tries from Semesa Rokoduguni. | The Telegraph has published a letter from Lord Trefgarne making the case for Britain to retain a submarine-launched nuclear deterrent.

Royal Mercian and Lancastrian Yeomanry (RMLY) to disband
An article in this weekend's Mail on Sunday claimed that the RMLY is to be disbanded and alleges that one of the reasons for the disbandment is that it isn't 'posh enough'.

It is completely inaccurate to suggest that regiments would be closed for this reason. MOD is growing the trained strength of the Territorial Army to 30,000 by 2018 as we reshape the Armed Forces and work is ongoing to ensure the best possible structure and basing plan for this.

No decisions have yet been made but the final plans will be based on military needs, make the best use of the existing Defence Estate, and achieve the best value for money for the taxpayer.

Role of drones in Afghanistan
There was widespread coverage at the weekend of demonstrations outside RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire against the air base becoming the location for the control of the UK's armed remotely-piloted Reaper aircraft (commonly known as drones) that operate in support of operations in Afghanistan.

UK Reapers are piloted by highly trained professional military pilots who adhere strictly to the same laws of armed conflict and are bound by the same clearly defined rules of engagement which apply to traditionally manned RAF aircraft.

UK Reaper aircraft operate only in Afghanistan, primarily in a surveillance and reconnaissance role in support of British and ISAF troops and our allies in the Afghan security forces. The capability provided by these aircraft is undoubtedly helping to save the lives of our forces, our allies and those of countless Afghan civilians.

Reaper aircraft cannot release weapons unless commanded to do so by the pilot. In all military operations, everything possible is done to avoid civilian casualties and this is no less the case with these operations.

Defence in the Media: 26 April 2013

Summary
The Daily Mail reports that Britain and the US have accused Syrian government forces of using chemical weapons in the brutal civil war. | The Sun reports that unmanned drones flown in Afghanistan are being controlled from a British base 7,500 miles away. | The Telegraph reports that a freak storm that pelted a military airfield in southern Afghanistan with rock-sized hailstones apparently killed 3 people, caused millions of pounds worth of damage and grounded several British aircraft. | The same newspaper reports that MOD is fighting plans to install 2 wind turbines in St Ewe, Cornwall, because of fears that they could affect radar systems. | The Daily Mail has published pictures of British and French troops parachute jumping in Scotland as part of Exercise Joint Warrior.