MANAGEMENT ON THE MOVE
LOCATIONS
24 Jul 08. France is to close 83 of its military units in a major shake-up of its defence strategy, the French prime minister has said. Speaking at a press conference, Francois Fillon said money saved would be poured back into the armed forces. He also promised the government would help towns and villages cope with the economic fall-out when the local garrison moved on. The changes are the biggest shake-up of defence policy in 14 years. Mr Fillon announced that the military sites which face closure include regiments, logistic centres and air force bases. He added that the modernisation plan would generate savings of more than $3bn (1.9bn euros; £1.5bn) a year, which would be re-invested back into the armed forces. Last month, French President Nicolas Sarkozy said it was time to refocus France’s defence priorities on interior rather than exterior security, warning the biggest threat to the country was now a terrorist attack. In the east of France, at least six bases will close prompting huge fears among residents of economic hardship. The town of Luneville is particularly concerned. Its local mayor has already visited the defence minister several times recently to protest against plans to move their military base which employs more than 950 civilian and military personnel. The loss of military salaries there alone has been estimated at around 21m euros ($32m; £16.54m) a year and at least 30 local businesses are likely to be affected. The French prime minister promised the government would initiate a series of measures to help towns and villages, like Luneville, cope with the economic shock. But, he warned, the reforms were necessary to protect the security of the French people. (Source: BBC)
01 Jul 08. Fleet Headquarters: Change of Name. Fleet Headquarters in Portsmouth underwent a change of name on 1 Jul 08 and is now known as Navy Command Headquarters. The new title is said to “reflect a Headquarters that encompasses all elements of Navy Command regardless of geographical location”.
Comment: The separate Headquarters of Commander-in-Chief Fleet and the Second Sea Lord were amalgamated on Whale Island in Portsmouth as Fleet Headquarters with effect from 3 Apr 06. The above change of name was ‘directed’ by the First Sea Lord. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 08/30, 28 Jul 08)
Aug 08. HMS SUPERB: Return to UK. Navy News (August 2008) reports the safe return of HMS SUPERB to Devonport, rather than to her home port of Faslane.
Comment: The SSN struck an underwater pinnacle in the Red Sea on 26 May 08, damaging her main sonar and ballast tanks. After initial damage inspection in Aqaba, the boat sailed to the NATO facility at Souda Bay in Crete for temporary repairs. The return journey was made on the surface, as a precaution. Although no official announcement has yet been made, the 32-year old boat is unlikely to return to active duty.
28 Jul 08. Chief of Defence Materiel (CDM), General Sir Kevin O’Donoghue, formally opened a new manufacturing facility at Supacat’s Dunkeswell, Devon, headquarters. The new facility significantly enhances the manufacturing capability of the UK specialist in all terrain high mobility military vehicles and specialist land transport systems. The facility has been named `The Jones Building` after Supacat founder, Nick Jones. At the opening, Sir Kevin said: “I am delighted to open the Jones Building at Supacat. The business offers a niche capability to the military sector and this level of investment is encouraging to see”. The new £0.45 million facility significantly increases Supacat’s manufacturing capacity and efficiency, providing 8,500 sq ft of new floor space. This has permitted stores to be co-located into one place. The floor plan is designed to be flexible and allow for changes in build programmes for military vehicles. It also provides capacity for the RNLI Lifeboat Launch & Recovery System, which is under development. An overhead