Posted on Thursday, 02 February 2012 at 12:59 PM in Defence news | Permalink | Comments (0)
Summary
Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology Peter Luff discussed the White Paper, 'National Security Through Technology', on Sky's Jeff Randall Live show yesterday, outlining the steps he has taken to boost the UK defence industry such as new support for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises and the introduction of measures to help defence firms export products abroad. | Various papers report today that Pakistan has rejected the leaked US military report alleging that its intelligence services exercise a tight control over the Taliban. | Various papers also report that the US and other international forces expect to end their combat role in Afghanistan by 2013, according to US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta - the first time the Obama administration has said it could foresee an end to regular US and NATO combat operations by the second half of next year. | The Daily Star trails their Soldiering On Awards 2012. | The Guardian reports that British diplomats have accused Argentina of plotting an economic blockade of the Falklands by attempting to stop all flights from Chile reaching the islands. | And various papers report that Argentina has accused Britain of military belligerence by deploying Prince William 'in the uniform of a conqueror'. | The Sun reports that the Prime Minister will order all departments across Whitehall to clear the red tape delaying assistance to wounded troops at the first meeting of the 'Heroes Committee'.
National Security Through Technology
Several media today report on yesterday's publication of the White Paper 'National Security Through Technology' which sets out how the Government will provide the best equipment for our Armed Forces while achieving best value for money for UK taxpayers.
The White Paper was broadly welcomed by the defence industry, who particularly supported news that the Defence Science and Technology budget will now be protected to ensure the UK continues to develop cutting-edge new equipment to give our troops the advantage in battle.
However, some trade unions expressed concern that the White Paper's commitment to ensure Defence and Security tenders were as open and competitive as possible, with equipment bought off-the-shelf where practical, would damage the UK defence industry and potentially lead to job losses.
In response, Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology, Peter Luff, said: "Given the defence black hole we inherited, my priority must be to get the best equipment to our Armed Forces at the best price for the taxpayer. That is why we will take full advantage of competitive domestic and international markets and - where appropriate - purchase proven off-the-shelf solutions that meet our current military needs. Striking the right balance between developing bespoke solutions and purchasing kit off-the-shelf is in the interest of both our Armed Forces and UK taxpayers.
"We do nothing to help our economy and sustain jobs by wasting taxpayers' money on unproven, costly capabilities, and we do nothing to help UK industry by allowing the defence funding black hole to once again blight the sector.
"The vital UK defence industry is highly competitive and will continue to win lucrative contracts. Just this week, we announced a £483m contract with MBDA (UK) to develop state-of-the-art Sea Ceptor missiles for the Royal Navy which will sustain 500 jobs.
"To assist UK firms we will preserve government investment in Science and Technology, help smaller companies win more contracts, champion UK exports and protect sovereign industry capabilities that relate to national security. These principles will underpin our relationship with industry as we invest more than £150bn in military equipment over the next decade."
The Times wrongly alleges that where the MOD's previous industrial policy - the 2005 Defence Industrial Strategy - stated that equipment essential to national security such as submarines had to be made in Britain, the 2012 White Paper has abandoned those principles.
Mr Luff said: "The White Paper sets out the approach we are taking to protect the UK's operational advantages and freedom of action necessary to protect our national security. We will make no compromise with that security. The 2005 Defence Industrial Strategy was an unfunded and unrealistic wish list. This White Paper, along with the publication later this year of our ten-year defence equipment plan, will set out an affordable, deliverable programme that will see us invest more than £150bn in the right equipment for our Armed Forces while achieving value for money for UK taxpayers."
Posted on Thursday, 02 February 2012 at 12:41 PM in Defence in the media | Permalink | Comments (0)
More than 300 soldiers from 1st Battalion The Royal Welsh are this week taking part in a live-firing exercise on the Castlemartin Ranges in Pembrokeshire. The exercise tests combined arms firepower and puts soldiers through their paces in the most demanding and realistic scenarios available outside theatre as part of preparation for a six-month tour to Afghanistan for the unit later this year. [Picture: Corporal Paul Morrison RLC, Crown Copyright/MOD 2012]
Posted on Thursday, 02 February 2012 at 11:55 AM in Image of the day | Permalink | Comments (0)
Today, Thursday 2 February
Repatriation to RAF Brize Norton of Signaller Ian Sartorius-Jones, from 20th Armoured Brigade Headquarters and Signal Squadron (200), who died in Afghanistan on 24 January 2012.
Inquest in Nottingham into the death of Lance Corporal Martin Gill, from 42 Commando Royal Marines, who was killed in Afghanistan on 5 June 2011.
TV programme of interest: 'Bullets, Boots and Bandages', BBC4, 2100hrs. Exploring how logistic support to the battlefield has changed over time. Episode 1 of 3.
Tomorrow, Friday 3 February
Munich Security Conference 2012 (until 5 Feb).
Saturday 4 February
TV programme of interest: 'Castle Commando', BBC2 Scotland, 2000hrs.
Sunday 5 February
TV programme of interest: 'Bomber Boys' with the McGregor brothers, Colin and Ewan, BBC1, 2100hrs.
Monday 6 February
21-gun salute in Hyde Park, London, marking Her Majesty The Queen's accession to the throne.
TV programme of interest - Royal Marines: Mission Afghanistan, Channel 5, 2100hrs. Episode 2 of 6.
Tuesday 7 February
Repatriation to RAF Brize Norton of Lance Corporal Gajbahadur Gurung, from the Royal Gurkha Rifles, who was killed in Afghanistan on 27 January 2012.
Inquest in Rotherham into the death of Trooper James Leverett, from D (The Green Horse) Squadron, The Royal Dragoon Guards, who was killed in Afghanistan on 5 July 2010.
House of Commons Defence Committee Armed Forces Covenant Accommodation Inquiry.
King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery move into new barracks at Napier Lines in Woolwich.
Chatham House Under 35s Forum - The Situation in Iran: Human Rights, Youth and the Media.
Wednesday 8 February
Inquest in Plymouth into the death of Corporal Mark Palin, from 1st Battalion The Rifles, who was killed in Afghanistan on 18 July 2011.
House of Commons Defence Committee Operations in Libya report published.
Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) lecture: The UN's Response to the Arab Spring - One Year On.
RUSI Under 35s Forum: The UK's Cyber Security Strategy and Beyond.
Posted on Thursday, 02 February 2012 at 11:44 AM in Defence diary | Permalink | Comments (0)
MOD sets out plans to ensure investment in state-of-the-art defence equipment
Afghan police chief helps reintroduce kites to the Helmand skies
RFA Fort Victoria disembarks pirates for prosecution in the Seychelles
Armed Forces Community Covenant signed in Gateshead and Preston
Princess Anne presents 2 LSR with Afghanistan campaign medals
Posted on Wednesday, 01 February 2012 at 01:14 PM in Defence news | Permalink | Comments (0)
Summary
There has been widespread coverage of the upcoming deployment of HMS Dauntless to the Falkland Islands. | Various papers including the Telegraph and the Independent highlight a secret NATO report that says the Taliban are set to retake control from President Karzai's government. | The Times reports plans to exit Afghanistan will be high on the agenda at a meeting of NATO ministers in Brussels this week after France announced an early withdrawal. | The Financial Times reports that the MOD will no longer give UK companies priority over their foreign rivals when buying equipment and weapons for the Armed Forces. | The Daily Mail reports that the head of the Army has hit out at the 'zero-risk culture' which fuels unrealistic demands that no British blood should be shed on battlefields.
Posted on Wednesday, 01 February 2012 at 01:07 PM in Defence in the media | Permalink | Comments (0)
Children in an area of Helmand province previously run by the Taliban have been presented with Afghan kites. Youngsters in Kopak in the Nahr-e Saraj district were presented with the traditional symbol of Afghanistan's culture by the local Chief of Police. Within minutes the children were seen flying the kites in the Helmand skies. The idea was the brainchild of Lance Corporal Emma Pengilly, of D Company, 5th Battalion The Rifles, pictured here with local Afghan children. Click here to read more. [Picture: Crown Copyright/MOD 2012]
Posted on Wednesday, 01 February 2012 at 12:58 PM in Image of the day | Permalink | Comments (0)
Today, Wednesday 1 February
Armed Forces Community Covenant signing in Newcastle with 101 Regiment Royal Artillery (Volunteers).
Chatham House event: Transitional Justice and the Arab Spring.
Launch of Personnel Recovery Unit in Germany.
Tomorrow, Thursday 2 February
Repatriation to RAF Brize Norton of Signaller Ian Sartorius-Jones, from 20th Armoured Brigade Headquarters and Signal Squadron (200), who died in Afghanistan on 24 January 2012.
Inquest in Nottingham into the death of Lance Corporal Martin Gill, from 42 Commando Royal Marines, who was killed in Afghanistan on 5 June 2011.
TV programme of interest: 'Bullets, Boots and Bandages', BBC4, 2100hrs. Exploring how logistic support to the battlefield has changed over time. Episode 1 of 3.
Friday 3 February
Munich Security Conference 2012 (until 5 Feb).
Monday 6 February
TV programme of interest - Royal Marines: Mission Afghanistan, Channel 5, 2100hrs. Episode 2 of 6.
Tuesday 7 February
Repatriation to RAF Brize Norton of Lance Corporal Gajbahadur Gurung, from the Royal Gurkha Rifles, who was killed in Afghanistan on 27 January 2012.
Inquest in Rotherham into the death of Trooper James Leverett, from D (The Green Horse) Squadron, The Royal Dragoon Guards, who was killed in Afghanistan on 5 July 2010.
House of Commons Defence Committee Armed Forces Covenant Accommodation Inquiry.
King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery move into new barracks at Napier Lines in Woolwich.
Chatham House Under 35s Forum - The Situation in Iran: Human Rights, Youth and the Media.
Posted on Wednesday, 01 February 2012 at 12:49 PM in Defence diary | Permalink | Comments (0)
Afghan police and British soldiers take on insurgents
TA medics return from Afghanistan
Prime Minister and Afghan President sign UK-Afghanistan strategic partnership
Locals aid Afghan and British troops in seizure of insurgent arms caches
Duchess of Cornwall presents medals to medics returned from Afghanistan
Posted on Tuesday, 31 January 2012 at 12:36 PM in Defence news | Permalink | Comments (0)
Summary
In an ITV report last night Brigadier Bill Aldridge, Commander of British Forces in the Falklands, made clear that the forthcoming deployment of the Duke of Cambridge to the Falkland Islands was entirely routine for a search and rescue pilot. | The Times reports that coalition forces in Afghanistan suffered a fresh setback yesterday when a French court began an unprecedented criminal inquiry into alleged blunders that led to the deaths of ten soldiers in a Taliban ambush. | The Wall Street Journal looks at whether statements released by the Taliban calling on insurgents to reduce civilian casualties and a softening of their approach to female education is an attempt to improve their image. | The Guardian runs a comment piece critical of the US and UK's use of unmanned aerial vehicles. | In the Telegraph, Major General Julian Thompson, Commanding Officer of 3 Commando Brigade during the 1982 conflict in the Falklands, criticises recent defence cuts and claims that should Argentina try to take the Falkland Islands back now, the UK would be unable to prevent them. | The Sun reports that International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell has visited Somalia, and, notably, the prison where convicted pirates are held, ahead of the international conference on Somalia in London next month. | The Daily Star reports that the Army has been put on standby as Britain braces itself for freezing weather. | The Independent runs a comment piece attacking expenditure on the 2012 Olympics. | The Sun reports that Prince Harry was hooded and threatened during brutal hostage training to prepare him for his return to the Afghanistan front line. | The Guardian reports on the humanitarian and security situation in Mogadishu and states that though confidence is slowly returning to the Somali capital, capital aid remains scarce and Al-Shabaab still control much of the country. | Finally, the Telegraph and Financial Times report that there is increasing diplomatic pressure on Russia to consent to UN Security Council resolutions on Syria that will be discussed at a council meeting in New York.
Posted on Tuesday, 31 January 2012 at 12:24 PM in Defence in the media | Permalink | Comments (0)