NEWS IN BRIEF
EUROPE
22 Sep 08. Iraq: OP TELIC. “We have reached a turning point in our involvement in Iraq.” “British troops have made a substantial contribution to the fact that next year there can be a fundamental change of mission in Iraq.” (Defence Secretary, 22 Sep 08.)
Comment: The above quotations are taken from the Defence Secretary’s speech to the Labour Party’s annual conference. When the Prime Minister spoke to the conference on 23 Sep 08 he devoted 43 words (0.6%) to the Armed Forces during a speech containing 6,680 words. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 0838, 29 Sep 08)
22 Sep 08. Afghanistan: OP HERRICK. The UN Security Council unanimously extended the mission of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) for a further year (from 13 Oct 08) and called for it to be strengthened. (UN, 22 Sep 08.) “In Afghanistan, although we face a longer haul and the task of reconstruction is so much greater [than in Iraq], our brave troops are making a positive difference too.” (Defence Secretary, 22 Sep 08.)
“UK military commanders have not requested additional troops but we have been consistently clear that a greater commitment is needed from other NATO countries.” (MoD, 25 Sep 08.)
Comment: The MoD’s statement of 25 Sep 08 was initiated by a profusion of irresponsible commentary from the so-called quality newspapers. For some reason, it was considered clever to twist remarks made by the Commander of 16 Air Assault Brigade. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 0838, 29 Sep 08)
25 Sep 08. Bidder withdraws from defence helicopter PFI. One bidder has pulled out of the defence ministry’s search and rescue helicopter private finance initiative, leaving the deal with just two bidders. The UK Air Rescue consortium including Serco has withdrawn. That leaves just two consortiums fighting for the deal: AirKnight, between defence contractors Lockheed Martin UK and
VT Aerospace; and a joint venture between helicopter maker CHC Scotia and Thales. A spokesman for the defence ministry said UK Air Rescue’s move was a “commercial decision” and insisted the procurement process would not be affected. The deal is estimated to cost up to £5bn and should be awarded in 2010.
25 Sep 08. Type 45 Destroyers: Programme Milestones. The Defence Equipment Minister announced (25 Sep 08) that First of Class HMS DARING had completed her final set of contractor sea trials “with great success”. DARING’s Acceptance Off Contract is planned for December 2008, prior to her first entry into Portsmouth on 28 Jan 09 and Stage 2 Sea Trials from February to May 2009. Second of Class HMS DAUNTLESS is due to start her first set of Stage 1 Sea Trials in early November 2008. Fourth of Class DRAGON is due to be launched on the Clyde on 17 Nov 08.
Comment: A Class of 12 Type 45 destroyers was originally planned, to enter service between 2007 and 2014 for a total programme cost of approximately £6,000m. On 19 Jun 08 the Armed Forces’ Minister announced that there were to be only six Type 45 destroyers and that the estimated cost (as at 31 March 07) was £6,464m. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 0838, 29 Sep 08)
25 Sep 08. A400M Transport Aircraft: First Flight Postponed. EADS announced (25 Sep 08) that the first flight of the A400M had been postponed “because of the unavailability of the propulsion system”. First flight had been planned to take place before the end of 2008. No revised schedule has been announced.
Comment: First deliveries to A400M launch and export customers will be delayed and could now take place as follows: France (first of 50) – 2010; Turkey (10) – 2010; UK (25) – late 2010/2011; Germany (60) – 2011; South Africa (eight) – 2011; Spain (27) – 2012; Malaysia (four) – 2014; Luxembourg (one) – 2018 and Belgium (seven) – 2019. As at 31 Mar 07, the forecast cost of the UK’s 25 aircraft was £2,629m. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 0838, 29 Sep 08)
28 Sep 08. Louis Gallois, chief execut