NEWS IN BRIEF
EUROPE
18 Jun 08. Iraq: OP TELIC. From 1 Jan 06 to 31 May 08, 314 personnel were categorised as Wounded in Action and 1,485 were aeromedically evacuated. (MoD, 18 Jun 08.) From 16 to 31 May 08, the figures were nil and 16.
“UK Forces in Southern Iraq continue to make good progress in mentoring and training the Iraqi Security Forces.” (Ministerial Answer (MA), 16 Jun 08.)
Control Risks has provided mobile security and Garda World static security for the FCO since both
contracts were re-tendered in early 2006. Control Risks and Kroll provide mobile and static security for DfID staff. (MA, 17 Jun 08.)
Comment: The Defence Secretary reminded the House of Commons (16 Jun 08) that the Multinational Force operates in Iraq under the mandate of UNSCR 1790 and at the request of the Government of Iraq. As matters currently stand, the UN mandate expires on 31 Dec 08. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 0825, 23 June 08)
17 Jun 08. Afghanistan: OP HERRICK. Four soldiers were killed East of Lashkar Gar when their vehicle was caught in an explosion on 17 Jun 08. The four were a (female) Intelligence Corps Corporal, a Royal Signals Corporal and a Lance Corporal and a Private whose Regiment/Corps was not stated. UK deaths since the start of Operations in October 2001 thus rose to 106, of whom 80 were killed as a result of hostile action. (MoD, 18 Jun 08.)
From 1 Jan 06 to 31 May 08, 370 personnel were categorised as Wounded in Action and 1,068 were aeromedically evacuated. (MoD, 18 Jun 08.) From 16 to 31 May 08, the figures were eight and 32.
“The security situation in Afghanistan is stable, if fragile, in places.” (Defence Secretary, 16 Jun 08.)
There is to be a net increase in UK Forces in Afghanistan of some 230 personnel, to around 8,030 by Spring 2009. (Defence Secretary, 16 Jun 08.)
Between December 2007 and May 2008 inclusive, British troops used some 980,000 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, 930,000 rounds of 7.62mm and 186,000 rounds of 12.72mm. (MA, 17 Jun 08.)
Armour Group has provided static and mobile security for FCO and DfID personnel. (WA, 17 Jun 08.)
Comment: The Defence Secretary’s Statement (16 Jun 08) to the House of Commons, covering troop levels in Afghanistan, is recorded in Hansard for the day starting at Column 675. A rather different perspective is given by an Opposition Member of Parliament when opening a debate on ‘Helmand Province’, which is to be found in Hansard for 17 Jun 08 starting at Column 175WH. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 0825, 23 June 08)
16 Jun 08. Burma (Myanmar): Naval Assistance Withdrawn. The Armed Forces’ Minister confirmed (16 Jun 08) that the Burmese authorities have formally declined offers of assistance from naval vessels, following Cyclone Nargis. The MoD, DfID and FCO have continued to monitor the situation, with a view to offering relief.
Comment: Following Cyclone Nargis, HMS WESTMINSTER deployed to international waters near Burma on On 25 May 08 HMS WESTMINSTER was relieved by HMS EDINBURGH. Following discussions with the French and the US, as well as with the UN, HMS EDINBURGH was withdrawn on 28 May 08. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 0825, 23 June 08)
13 Jun 08. Type 42 Destroyers: Missiles Removed. The Armed Forces’ Minister confirmed (13 Jun 08) that Sea Dart had been removed from HMS EXETER in
July 2007 and from HMS SOUTHAMPTON in January 2008. The Minister added (17 Jun 08) that the decision to remove the weapon systems had been made in 2007 “as a result of agreed resource priorities”. The Minister declined to say (19 Jun 08) whether it was intended to remove missiles from any other ships.
Comment: Both destroyers are due to be decommissioned in 2009 and are thus most unlikely to see their missiles again. “Agreed resource priorities” is gobbledegook for saving money.
13 Jun 08. Nuclear-powered Submarines: Decommissioning. The Armed Forces’ Minister defined (13 Jun 08) the submarine decommissioning process “as sta