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EUROPE
10 Jan 11. Afghanistan: OP HERRICK. Troops from 3rd Bn The Parachute Regiment are working with a new unit of the Afghan National Army (ANA) to stabilise security in the Northern Nad ‘Ali area. (MoD, 10 Jan 11.)
Royal Engineers, working with US Army Engineers and ANA members, replaced the Singhazi bridge on Highway 1 following its destruction by an insurgent bomb. (MoD, 10 Jan 11.)
“No Service personnel under the age of 18 are deployed on any Operation, outside the United Kingdom, which would result in them becoming engaged in, or exposed to, hostilities.” (Ministerial Answer (MA), 10 Jan 11.)
The UK is working in support of President Karzai’s approach towards a peace agreement. (MA, 10 Jan 11.)
The MoD does not lease aircraft, but charters from private companies to fly supplies on the MoD’s behalf. There were 443 such flights in 2010. (MA, 11 Jan 11.)
Troops from Tonga have deployed and started security duties at Camp Bastion. (MoD, 11 Jan 11.)
Police numbers throughout Afghanistan are around 116,000, including 7,000 in Helmand. (MoD, 12 Jan 11.)
The MoD charters aircraft to move personnel to and from the Middle East. Personnel are then transported to Afghanistan on military transport, usually C-17. (MA, 13 Jan 11.)
Dozens of insurgents have been killed or arrested by British-trained Afghan Police during the first days of 2011. (MoD, 14 Jan 11.)
Royal Logistic Corps specialists rendered safe 12 improvised explosive devices (IED) during one Operation in the Gereshk area. The IED ranged in size from 5 to 15 kg. (MoD, 14 Jan 11.)
Comment: A piece of written evidence from Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles to the Foreign Affairs Committee was made generally available on 13 Jan 11. The evidence constitutes a devastating exposé of British military activities in Afghanistan. The evidence, originally submitted on 23 Dec 10, can be found on the Committee’s website (www.parliament.uk/facom). Alternatively, a copy of the evidence is available to DNA subscribers from DR&A at the above address. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 11/03, 17 Jan 11)
13 Jan 11. Franco-British Defence Co-operation: Ministerial Meeting
The Defence Secretary visited Paris (13 Jan 11) for discussions with his French opposite number, M. Alain Juppé. Co-operation following the Franco-British Summit and the Afghan Campaign were reportedly top of the agenda. The Ministers said that they looked forward to bilateral Military Exercises due to take place later in 2011. The Ministers reaffirmed their support for the process of transition to Afghan authorities.
Comment: The meeting follows Treaty signature by the French President and the UK’s Prime Minister on 2 Nov 10. The first meeting of The Parliamentary Working Group on Bilateral Defence Co-operation was held in the French Senate on 8 Dec 10 when two working themes for 2011 were agreed: the transition in Afghanistan and co-operation on ‘drones’. The Working Group is next due to meet in the Summer of 2011 in London. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 11/03, 17 Jan 11)
13 Jan 11. Turkey’s arms spending in 2011 is scheduled to increase by 10% with $4.5bn to