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EUROPE
01 Jul 10. Afghanistan: OP HERRICK. UK deaths since the start of Operations on 7 Oct 01 have risen to 310, of whom 272 were killed as a result of hostile action. As confirmed by the MoD (1 Jul 10), the recent fatalities are:-
* A Bombardier from 4th Regiment Royal Artillery died in hospital in Birmingham, on 26 Jun 10, from wounds sustained in Afghanistan in an explosion on 10 Jun 10.
* A Corporal from 101 Engineer Regiment (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) was killed during a small arms engagement with insurgent forces in the Nahr-e Saraj District on 27 Jun 10.
* A member of the Royal Marines was killed on 1 Jul 10.
From 1 Jan 06 to 15 Jun 10, 1,314 personnel were Wounded in Action and 3,504 were aeromedically evacuated. (MoD, 2 Jul 10.) From 1 to 15 Jun 10 the figures were 32 and 55.
On 25 Jun 10, ISAF completed the transfer of security responsibility for Kajaki from UK to US Forces and the redeployment of UK soldiers based there to Sangin. (Defence Secretary, 28 Jun 10.)
The UK’s contribution to the build-up of the Afghan National Army Air Force is 129 personnel, as part of the NATO Training Mission in Afghanistan. (Lords’ Hansard, 29 Jun 10.)
Afghan and British soldiers conducted a joint Operation to the South of Nad ‘Ali. (MoD, 1 Jul 10.)
Improvised explosive devices (IED) were cleared from the village of Pylae in the Sangin Valley by Royal Marines working with members of the Counter-IED Task Force. (MoD, 2 Jul 10.)
Comment: The media have enjoyed themselves in pointing out apparent contradictions between the Prime Minister and the Defence Secretary over the eventual withdrawal from Afghanistan. Meanwhile, the Foreign Secretary has done his best to placate all concerned! (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 09/26, 05 Jul 09)
07 Jul 10. No bids for U.K. Weapons Locating Radar Replacement Requirement. Sources suggest that leading U.S. contractors Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and General Dynamics have ‘no bid’ the requirement to replace both the Cobra and Giraffe Weapon Locating radars. This leaves Saab as the favourite to win the contract. Northrop had proposed its G-ATOR radar developed for the USMC but it could not get ITAR permission and the radar was over specified for the U.K. requirement.
01 Jul 10. Britain’s Foreign Policy in a Networked World: Speech. Addressing an audience at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (1 Jul 10) the Foreign Secretary set out the Government’s intention to conduct a more coherent foreign policy, focusing on bilateral relations, national strengths (including the Armed Forces) and trade, as well as enhanced influence within the EU. While the US remains “our biggest single partner for achieving our international goals” the UK should “embrace the opportunities of the networked world” and the Commonwealth in particular.
Comment: A copy of the above speech, the first of four on linked themes, is available to subscribers on request. (The second speech will be delivered “in the Far East in two weeks time”.)(Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 09/26, 05 Jul 09)
02 Jul 10. Two senior ministers warned Britain’s then prime ministe