Web page sponsored by Force Protection Europe Ltd.
http://www.forceprotectioneurope.co.uk
Force Protection Europe (FPE) was established in 2009 to provide a UK-based vehicle support organisation for the world renowned Cougar vehicles (Mastiff, Ridgback and Wolfhound). Over 700 of these vehicles are in service with the UK MoD and continue to save heroes’ lives. Since its formation, FPE has developed a revolutionary light protected patrol vehicle, Ocelot. In 2010, Ocelot was awarded the contract for the UK’s Light Protected Patrol Vehicle Programme and named Foxhound by the MoD. It is the best protected vehicle for its weight and size available today. Patrol, utility load bed and weapons pods offer Ocelot flexibility and fleet coherence.
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EUROPE
15 Apr 11. Afghanistan: OP HERRICK. From 1 Jan 06 to 31 Mar 11, 1,654 personnel were Wounded in Action and 4,462 were aeromedically evacuated. From 16 Mar to 31 Mar 11 the figures were 12 and 61. (DASA, 15 Apr 11.)
The Australian Defence Force has assisted the change of personnel from Herrick 13 (16 Air Assault Brigade) to Herrick 14 (3 Commando Brigade) with the use of a C-17 aircraft. (MoD, 11 Apr 11.)
A blow was dealt to the insurgency in Helmand with the discovery of two bomb-making factories in Northern Nad ‘Ali. (MoD, 11 Apr 11.)
A new road between Lashkar Gah and Gereshk has been completed. The construction of Route Trident has involved five Battle Groups and three successive Engineer Regiments. (Media Ops, 13 Apr 11.)
Troops from 3rd Bn The Parachute Regiment are helping to re-establish a bazaar of 100 shops in Chah-e Anjir. 42 Commando will complete the consignment. (MoD, 14 Apr 11.)
Comment: Missile strikes in the Federally Administrated Tribal Areas continue to feature prominently with the Pakistani media (even if ignored by the UK). The US relies heavily on the covert missile programme, run by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), to target insurgents in Pakistan’s North West. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 11/16, 18 Apr 11)
11 Apr 11. Libya: OP ELLAMY. RAF aircraft continued to provide support for NATO’s OP UNIFIED PROTECTOR, with Tornado GR4 releasing Brimstone missiles and Paveway IV bombs to destroy armoured fighting vehicles. Three VC10 provided air-to-air refuelling. (MoD 11, 12 & 15 Apr 11.)
Most of the fighting in Libya remains focussed around the siege of Misratah and in the region of Brega and Ajdabiyah. (MoD, 13 Apr 11.)
Since the start of Operations, about 100 armoured vehicles and artillery pieces have been engaged by RAF aircraft. The RAF is providing a quarter of the ground attack effort and about a quarter of the hours flown in NATO sorties. (MoD, 13 Apr 11.)
HMS LIVERPOOL and HMS BROCKLESBY continue to contribute to the maritime surveillance task.
HMS TURBULENT provides a Tomahawk strike capability, should it be required. (MoD, 13 Apr 11.)
The first Operational air-to-ground strike by a Typhoon was recorded on 12 Apr 11, when the aircraft engaged two main battle tanks with Enhanced Paveway II bombs. (MoD, 13 Apr 11.)
For a period during the past week, HMS LIVERPOOL controlled aircraft in the Western Region over Libya. (MoD, 15 Apr 11.)
Comment: Speaking at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (11 Apr 11), the Italian Minister of
Foreign Affairs said that six Italian air bases are being used for NATO Operations and that 200 aircraft are under NATO command.
Foreign Ministers meeting in Doha (13 Apr 11) and in Berlin (14/15 Apr 11) appeared to be in some disarray. Only 14 of NATO’s 28 members are actively participating in the Operation and only six of those have carried out ‘strike’ missions. It is presumed that the six referred to are: Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Norway and the UK. In the words of ‘The Economist’ (16 Apr 11): Colonel Qaddafi “seems to be counting on divisions among NATO members thwarting any potential knockout