24 Jan 17. Iraq and Syria: OP SHADER. On 19 Jan 17 a Reaper assisted Iraqi Forces clearing pockets of Daesh resistance in Northern Mosul, conducting three attacks against terrorists. On the following day, a Reaper continued Operations over Northern Mosul. On 23 Jan 17 Tornados destroyed a Command Post, a tunnel and a vehicle in Northern Iraq. (MoD, 24 Jan 17.)
During a visit (27 Jan 16) by the Jordanian King to London, the Defence Secretary praised Jordan’s “crucial role” in the fight against Daesh.
Comment: Through the Conflict Security and Stabilisation Fund the UK has contributed over £32m towards helping Jordan’s security and next year (2018) plans to contribute a further £28m. The funding helps to support
Defence engagement between the two countries which includes developing Jordan’s border surveillance, Quick Reaction Forces and, through NATO, cyber Defence capabilities. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 17/05, 30 Jan 17)
27 Jan 17. Defence Equipment: Annual Reports. The Defence Procurement Minister announced (27 Jan 17) the fifth annual summary of the Defence Equipment Plan. According to the Minister: “The plan shows the MoD’s progress in delivering an affordable programme.” The National Audit Office (NAO) published in parallel its independent assessment of the affordability of the MoD’s Equipment Plan (as HC 914). The NAO report notes the size, challenges and financial complexity of the Defence Equipment Plan. The Minister pledged to “…continue to work openly with the NAO to demonstrate the financial robustness and affordability of the Equipment Plan.” The Minister repeated that the Government is committed to the Defence budget increasing by 0.5% above inflation each year for the remainder of the present Parliament. The Government plans to spend £178bn (£178,000m) on equipment and support out to 2025/26.
Comment: Coinciding with publication of the above two documents, the Defence Procurement Minister met (26 Jan 17) with the President of Boeing International “to mark the successes of a joint venture to build UK prosperity and growth agreed last year.”. Highlights of the joint initiative include collaboration on a new P-8A operational support and training base at RAF Lossiemouth. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 17/05, 30 Jan 17)
23 Jan 17. Trident: Test Firing. Trident was debated in the House of Commons (23 Jan 17). Introducing the debate, the Defence Secretary included remarks on “a routine unarmed Trident missile test launch”. The Minister explained: “Contrary to reports in the weekend press, HMS VENGEANCE and her crew were successfully tested and certified as ready to rejoin the Operational cycle.”. A similar statement was made in the House of Lords (also on 23 Jan 17). Further details of missile firings (Demonstration and Shakedown Operations – DASO) and the boats involved were recorded in House of Commons Hansard for 26 Jan 17. The next test of the Trident II D5 missile has yet to be announced.
Comment: During the week, the government was criticised for ‘covering up’ an incident involving an unarmed Trident missile test launch by HMS VENGEANCE in Summer 2016. „The Sunday Times. reported that the
missile had veered off course before self-destructing. Work has started on building four Dreadnought nuclear-armed submarines (SSBN) to replace the existing Trident boats. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 17/05, 30 Jan 17)
25 Jan 17. P-8A Poseidon: Maritime Aviation Co-operation. The Defence Procurement Minister signed (25 Jan 17) a P-8A Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) declaration with her US counterpart to strengthen “the uniquely close Defence relationship between the UK and the United States.” The Department of Defense and the MoD plan “to co-operate closely on operation of their P-8A aircraft in the North Atlantic to ensure a coherent approach to MPA activity”. The aircraft will add to the UK’s
surveillance capabilities, including conducting anti-submarine and anti-sur