NEWS IN BRIEF
EUROPE
06 Nov 08. Destroyers and Frigates: Extended Service. The Armed Forces’ Minister confirmed (6 Nov 08) the Out of Service dates for most of the surface fleet. It is noted that all the frigates have been extended in service.
Comment: The revised decommissioning dates for the Type 42 destroyers were announced on 15 Jul 08, although EXETER, SOUTHAMPTON and NOTTINGHAM are unlikely to see active service again.
The above announcement extends the In Service life of the remaining Type 22 frigates by three or four years and the Type 23 frigates by between four and eight years. Frigates are now destined to serve for at least
31 years and, in one case, for 36 years. The revised schedule indicates that the number of escorts will fall to 24 in 2009 and to 23 in 2012. The number of 23 will be maintained provided the six Type 45 destroyers join the Fleet on time and assuming that the Future Surface Combatant First of Class enters service in 2019.
ISD OSD Original/Revised
DESTROYERS
Type 42 Batch 2
EXETER (D89) 1980 2009 2009
SOUTHAMPTON (D90) 1981 2010 2009
LIVERPOOL (D92) 1982 2009 2012
NOTTINGHAM (D91) 1983 2012 2010
Type 42 Batch 3
MANCHESTER (D95) 1982 2011 2011
YORK (D98) 1985 2012 2012
GLOUCESTER (D96) 1985 2011 2011
EDINBURGH (D97) 1985 2013 2013
FRIGATES
Type 22 Batch 3
CORNWALL (F99) 1988 2015 2019
CAMPBELTOWN (F86) 1989 2017 2020
CUMBERLAND (F85) 1989 2017 2021
CHATHAM (F87) 1990 2018 2022
Type 23
ARGYLL (F231) 1991 2019 2023
LANCASTER (F229) 1992 2019 2024
IRON DUKE (F234) 1993 2020 2025
MONMOUTH (F235) 1993 2021 2026
WESTMINSTER (F237) 1994 2021 2028
MONTROSE (F236) 1994 2021 2027
NORTHUMBERLAND (F238)1994 2022 2029
RICHMOND (F239)1995 2022 2030
SOMERSET (F82)1996 2023 2031
SUTHERLAND (F81) 1997 2025 2033
KENT (F78) 2000 2028 2034
PORTLAND (F79) 2001 2028 2035
ST ALBANS (F83) 2002 2029 2036
ISD = In Service Date OSD = Out of Service Date
(Sources: HoC Written Answers, 6 Nov 08 and DR&A.)
(Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 0844, 10 Nov 08)
03 Nov 08. Iraq: OP TELIC. From 1 Jan 06 to 15 Oct 08, 315 personnel were categorised as Wounded in Action and 1,634 were aeromedically evacuated. (MoD, 3 Nov 08.) From 1 to 15 Oct 08 the figures were nil and 21.
The Prime Minister visited troops in the region, including 901 Expeditionary Air Wing RAF. (MoD, 3 Nov 08.)
“The overall security situation in Iraq is much improved, with violence down to levels last seen in 2004.” (Ministerial Answer (MA), 3 Nov 08.)
The endorsed force level for Southern Iraq is around 4,100. (MA, 3 Nov 08.)
UK Forces have helped to train over 20,000 Iraqi troops and over 22,000 members of the Iraqi Police Service. (MA, 3 Nov 08.)
The average length of time spent in ‘decompression’ in Cyprus by troops returning from Iraq (and Afghanistan) is 24 hours. (MA, 5 Nov 08.)
Comment: Speculation has continued about the complete or partial withdrawal by UK Forces from Southern Iraq during 2009. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 0844, 10 Nov 08)
04 Nov 08. Afghanistan: OP HERRICK. A Rifleman from 2nd Bn The Royal Gurkha Rifles was killed by enemy fire South of Musa Qaleh on 4 Nov 08. UK deaths since the start of Operations in October 2001 thus rose to 122, of whom 95 were killed as a result of hostile action. (MoD, 4 Nov 08.)
From 1 Jan 06 to 15 Oct 08, 492 personnel were categorised as Wounded in Action and 1,434 were aeromedically evacuated. (MoD, 3 Nov 08.) From 1 to 15 Oct 08 the figures were 12 and 42.
“Afghanistan continues to present significant security challenges, particularly in the South and East of the Country….” (MA, 3 Nov 08.)
The endorsed force level for Afghanistan is around 8,000. (MA, 3 Nov 08.) Of the 8,000 committed to OP HERRICK 9, over 2,000 are from 3 Commando Brigade. (MA, 3 Nov 08.)
Comment: US missile attacks have continued to attract unfav