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30 Jan 18. Afghanistan: Officer Academy. The Armed Forces Minister gave details (30 Jan 18) of personnel currently based at the Afghan National Army Officer Academy (ANAOA). As at 22 Jan 18, 143 UK military personnel were deployed in support of the ANAOA (two from the Naval Service and 141 Army).
Comment: During a spate of militant attacks in Kabul, at least eleven Afghan soldiers were killed and a further sixteen injured (29 Jan 18) in an assault near the ANAOA (which is part of the Marshal Fahim National Defense University). In a statement the NATO Secretary General said: “NATO stands with Afghanistan in sympathy and solidarity as we pay tribute to the victims of the recent brutal and cowardly terrorist attacks.” (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 18/05, 05 Jan 18)
02 Feb 18. HMS ALBION: Flagship. The RN reported (2 Feb 18) that the amphibious assault ship HMS ALBION is due to sail from Plymouth “early
next week” in order to assume the role of flagship for Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 (SNMG2), operating in the Mediterranean. A Royal Marines group will also be embarking. During the next few months HMS ALBION
will undertake presence and security operations as well as conducting multi-national exercises.
Comment: HMS ALBION is replacing HMS OCEAN as the UK’s flagship. HMS OCEAN returned to Devonport from her final deployment on 12 Dec 17. Discussions with the Brazilian Government continue about the sale of
HMS OCEAN but no decisions have yet been made. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 18/05, 05 Jan 18)
02 Feb 18. HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH: Aircraft Trials. The RN confirmed (2 Feb 18) that the aircraft carrier HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH sailed from Portsmouth for the first time since being officially commissioned into the Royal Navy in order to undertake aircraft trials. The trials will involve two Chinooks from the Aircraft Test and Evaluation facility at Boscombe Down and two Merlin Mk2 aircraft. The helicopters carry specialist testing equipment for recording data on landings, take-offs and manoeuvres in different environmental conditions.
Comment: The helicopter trials are being conducted in advance of F-35B Lightning II trials which are due to take place off the US East coast in Autumn 2018. The carrier will eventually be cleared to fly Chinook, Merlin, Wildcat and Apache helicopters, as well as fast jets. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 18/05, 05 Jan 18)
02 Feb 18. Sonar 2076: Training Facility. The RN announced that it has taken delivery of a new sonar suite at HM Naval Base Clyde (Faslane). The
Rapidly Reconfigurable Training Technology (RRTT) is produced by Thales and the new facility, known as ‘Venturer’, will provide realistic sonar training for submariners operating Thales’ Sonar 2076 system. The installation of the Faslane system follows the opening of a similar facility at the RN Submarine School at HMS RALEIGH in October 2015.
Comment: The RRTT is designed so that it can be reconfigured to future upgrades and can be applied to other areas of naval training such as communications, anti-submarine and mine warfare. The system brings
together RN tactical expertise, delivered by RN instructors, with industry operational knowledge and removes any training-lag where operators have previously had to familiarise themselves with individual systems on different boats. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 18/05, 05 Jan 18)
31 Jan 18. Defence Equipment Plan: Publication. The Defence Procurement Minister announced in a Written Statement (31 Jan 18) publication of the MoD’s Defence Equipment Plan covering the financial years 2017/18 to 2026/27. Over the 10-year period, the MoD plans to spend just under £180,000m on equipment and support, comprising: £84,700m on the procurement of new equipment; £21,700m on support arrangem