BATTLESPACE BOOK CLUB
21 Jul 08. Low Flying: Report Available. The Junior Defence Minister announced (21 Jul 08) the publication of a Report: The Pattern of Military Low Flying Across the UK 2007/08.
Comment: Copies of the document are available from: Complaints & Enquiries, Directorate of Air Staff, Level 5 Zone H, MoD Main Building, London SW1A 2HB. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 0830, 04 Aug 08)
30 Jul 08. Recruiting and Retention: Defence Committee Report
The Defence Committee published (30 Jul 08) a Report on Recruiting and Retaining Armed Forces Personnel. The Report, which covers both Regular Forces and Reservists, ends with 52 conclusions and recommendations for consideration by the MoD.
Comment: The Report is useful for stating the problems but less so when it comes to solutions. The Committee’s emphasis on ethnic minority recruiting reads as ‘political correctness’. The implied criticism of the Royal Marines (for having too high an entrance standard!) is just one of several contentious observations. A disappointing Report, which is published as HC 424, for £24:50. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 0830, 04 Aug 08)
30 Jul 08. SIPRI: Yearbook 2008 Published. SIPRI Yearbook 2008 is now (30 Jul 08) available in the UK. The Yearbook is SIPRI’s annual compendium of data and analysis of developments in: Security and Conflicts; Military Spending; Non-proliferation, Arms Control and Disarmament.
Comment: The 2008 (39th) edition of this invaluable reference book (ISBN 978-0-19-954895-8) has 610 pages and costs £85:00. Orders can be placed through any good bookshop or through the Oxford University Press (Tel: 01536-741727). Further details are available on line (yearbook2008.sipri.org). (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 0830, 04 Aug 08)