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19 Feb 18. HMS OCEAN: Sale Agreed. The MoD announced (19 Feb 18) that HMS OCEAN has been sold to the Brazilian Navy for “around £84m”. The sale is being managed by the Defence Equipment Sales Authority (part of the MoD’s Defence Equipment and Support organisation) and profits generated by the sale will be reinvested in Defence. HMS OCEAN is due to decommission on 27 Mar 18 and it is planned that the Brazilian Navy will take possession in June 2018. Modifications to the ship, funded by Brazil, will be undertaken in the UK by Babcock and BAE Systems.
Comment: HMS OCEAN’s role as UK flagship is now being undertaken by the amphibious assault ship HMS ALBION. HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH will eventually undertake the role of flagship and is currently preparing for helicopter trials at sea. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 18/08, 28 Feb 18)
23 Feb 18. HMS SUTHERLAND: Arrives in Australia. The RN reported (23 Feb 18) that the Type 23 frigate HMS SUTHERLAND has arrived in Australia, as part of a deployment to represent UK interests across the Indian Ocean and the Pacific. After briefly visiting Fremantle HMS SUTHERLAND moved on to Adelaide. The ship will be joining the Australian fleet on a major ‘war gaming’ exercise (Ex OCEAN EXPLORER) which takes place over three weeks.
Comment: A key part of HMS SUTHERLAND’s visit is to promote UK industry as the Type 26 Global Combat Ship design is being considered for Australia’s Future Frigate Programme requirement. During her deployment,
it is anticipated that HMS SUTHERLAND will be available to work with other regional partners including Japan, South Korea and the US. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 18/08, 28 Feb 18)
15 Feb 18. AS90 Turret Trainer: Savings Achieved. The MoD reported (15 Feb 18) that the 50,000th simulated round had been fired from an AS90 Turret Trainer, indicating savings of some £125m to the MoD. The Trainer was first introduced in 2005 to train the Commander Gunner and Loader of an AS90 self-propelled 155mm howitzer.
Comment: Based on a standard AS90 turret, the trainer uses an electro-mechanical system to replicate a complete firing cycle. Since the trainer was introduced, more than 8,500 soldiers have used the equipment. The
50,000 milestone (as recorded by a digital counter on 14 Feb 18) represents savings of about £125m over a 12-year period; on the basis that live rounds cost £2,500 each. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 18/08, 28 Feb 18)
19 Feb 18. HMSML GLEANER: Decommissioned. The RN announced (19 Feb 18) that HMSML (Her Majesty’s Survey Motor Launch) GLEANER, the RN’s smallest ship with a crew of eight sailors, has been decommissioned after 35 years of service. HMSML GLEANER began her career as the RN’s Inshore Survey Vessel in 1983 and was initially designed for hydrographic survey operations along the South coast of the UK. Subsequently GLEANER has operated around the UK and further afield.
Comment: GLEANER’s replacement has been announced as HMS MAGPIE, due to be delivered to the RN in the Summer of 2018. The new ship is a modern catamaran, with an overall length of 18 metres. The title of the RN’s smallest commissioned vessel will now be shared by the fast patrol boats of the Gibraltar Squadron (HM Ships SCIMITAR & SABRE). (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 18/08, 28 Feb 18)
17 Feb 18. European Defence Co-operation: Munich Speech. The Prime Minister delivered (17 Feb 18) a speech at the Munich Security Conference outlining the UK’s approach to continued co-operation with Europe, on Defence and security matters, following the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union. The Prime Minister proposed focusing on three areas: regular consultation at the diplomatic level on “global challenges” and co-operation on sanctions, operational co-operation (EU Operations