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19 Jun 14. Afghanistan: OP HERRICK. From 1 Jan 06 to 31 May 14, 2,177 personnel were Wounded in Action and 7,210 were aeromedically evacuated. During May 2014, no personnel were Wounded in Action but 40 were aeromedically evacuated. (Def Stats, 19 Jun 14.)
The UK currently provides six female mentors to the Afghan National Army Officer Academy’s female training platoon. One additional female mentor is involved in the wider training programme at the Academy. (Written
Answer, 17 Jun 14.)
The last elements of 9th/12th Royal Lancers are returning to Germany, having been deployed to Afghanistan for eight months. (Army, 19 Jun 14.)
Comment: The 9th/12th Royal Lancers is to amalgamate with The Queen’s Royal Lancers in 2015, to form The Royal Lancers. The new Regiment will be a Formation Reconnaissance Regiment in the 12th Armoured Infantry Brigade. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 14/25, 23 Jun 14)
17 Jun 14. Baltic Region: Policing the Airspace. RAF Typhoons were scrambled (17 Jun 14) to intercept Russian aircraft as part of NATO’s mission to police Baltic airspace. The Typhoons were launched after four separate groups of aircraft were detected by NATO air defences in international airspace near to the Baltic States. The Russian aircraft were identified as a Tupolev Tu22 ‘Backfire’ bomber, four Sukhoi Su27 ‘Flanker’ fighters, one Beriev A50 „Mainstay. early warning aircraft and an Antonov An26 „Curl. transport aircraft. It was established that the Russian aircraft were conducting routine training and they were escorted on their way.
Comment: Four Typhoons were moved to Siauliai Air Base in Lithuania on 28 Apr 14, in support of a Polish-led NATO detachment. The above incident was the sixth intercept carried out by the Typhoons since their arrival. RAF Typhoons are also undertaking QRA (Quick Reaction Alert) duties in the UK and in the Falkland Islands. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 14/25, 23 Jun 14)
17 Jun 14. Iran: Embassy Reopens. The Foreign Secretary announced (17 Jun 14) the reopening of the British Embassy in Tehran and that he expected the Iranian Government to reopen their Embassy in London. Inevitably, as the Foreign Secretary pointed out, the initial Embassy presence in Tehran will only be able to offer a limited range of services. Iranians will still need to apply in Abu Dhabi or Istanbul for visas to travel to the UK.
Comment: In a Statement to the House of Commons on 30 Nov 11 the Foreign Secretary gave details of attacks on the two British Embassy compounds in Teheran. The Embassy was then closed and all staff evacuated. In London the Iranian Chargé was informed that all Iranian Diplomatic Staff were required to leave the UK. On 11 Nov 13, the Foreign Office announced that a non-resident Chargé d’Affaires to Iran had been appointed. The reopening of the British Embassy in Tehran will be of value to the US, which has not had diplomatic relations with Iran since April 1980. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 14/25, 23 Jun 14)
19 Jun 14. Expenditure: Parliamentary Debate. The House of Commons debated Defence Spending on 19 Jun 14. Introducing the debate, Mr J Baron MP pleaded for increased expenditure on the Armed Forces. Replying for the debate, the Armed Forces. Minister said that the MoD is examining “a package of additional investment, including on equipment and cyber.” Details of this investment are to be “announced soon”.
Comment: Mr Baron spent three years as an Infantry Officer and his introduction to the debate starts in Hansard for 19 Jun 14 at Column 1336. The Minister’s reply, which is a useful summary, starts in Column 1363 (and the remaining speeches can be safely ignored). (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYS