Web page sponsored by General Dynamics Land Systems Force Protection Europe (GDLS FPE)
http://www.gdls.com
——————————————————————-
15 Sep 15. Iraq: OP SHADER. The MoD reported (15 Sep 15) that personnel from 1st Bn The Rifles have arrived in Erbil; ready to train the Kurdish arm of the Iraqi Security Forces. The training is to cover counter-IED drills, Infantry tactics and combat medical skills.
The Armed Forces’ Minister said (16 Sep 15) that there were 19 Service personnel in Iraq on 1 Jan 15, 149 on 1 Apr 15 and 213 on 1 Sep 15. Five MoD staff are permanently based at the British Embassy and Consulate General.
Comment: The Defence Secretary welcomed (17 Sep 15) Egypt’s Armed Forces Chief of Staff during a visit to London. The agenda was said to include a review of “ideas on tackling ISIL and regional issues”.
The Foreign Secretary met (19 Sep 15) his US counterpart when discussion were said to “focus on Syria, Yemen, refugees and the global coalition to counter ISIL”. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 15/37, 21 Sep 15)
16 Sep 15. People Smuggling: HMS RICHMOND Called-up. The Defence Secretary announced (16 Sep 15) that HMS RICHMOND has been offered to increase the
European Union (EU) mission to tackle people smuggling in the Mediterranean. The frigate is to join HMS ENDURANCE in the EU mission off Libya. HMS RICHMOND is supporting the Operational Commander in the next phase of the mission, which aims to conduct operations to board and seize vessels in the Southern Mediterranean.
Comment: The Council of the EU has agreed “to conduct boarding, search, seizure and diversion on the high seas of vessels suspected of being used for human smuggling or trafficking, within international law”.
An MoD note (16 Sep 15) indicates that HMS RICHMOND is set to assist the above Operation from next month (i.e. October) until mid-December 2015. HMD ENDURANCE is expected to “stay for longer”. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 15/37, 21 Sep 15)
16 Sep 15. HMS AMBUSH: Damage to Fishing Vessel. Further information has been made public about the damage to the fishing vessel Karen on 15 Apr 15, in the Irish Sea. The Armed Forces’ Minister answered a series of questions about the incident on 15 Sep 15 and the matter was debated in the House of Commons on 16 Sep 15. During the debate, HMS AMBUSH was named as the boat which had become entangled in Karen’s net.
Comment: The record of the Commons? Westminster Hall debate on ‘Submarines and the Fishing Industry’ (Hansard, 16 Sep 15, Column 362WH et seq) makes for interesting reading which does the Royal Navy no credit at all. The Minister concluded her remarks by saying that she expected “the issues raised by Honourable Members to be covered by the Marine Accident Investigation Board report”. This remains to be seen. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 15/37, 21 Sep 15)
15 Sep 15. Scout Specialist Vehicle (SV): Re-named as Ajax. General Dynamics announced, during the DSEI exhibition in London (15 Sep 15), that the Scout SV programme has been renamed as Ajax. Ajax is to be the ‘family’ name and the name of the turreted reconnaissance variant. The Ajax platform is one of six variants due to be delivered to the Army between 2017 and 2024.
Comment: A House of Lords Written Answer (7 Sep 15) confirmed that assembly, integration and testing for Scout SV (now Ajax!) after the initial 100 vehicles is to be undertaken by General Dynamics in South Wales. Many of the vehicles’ key sub-systems are designed and assembled in the UK including the 40mm turret, the sensor system, the enabling electronic system architecture and the armour packs. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 15/37, 21 Sep 15)
15 Sep 15. A400M Atlas Aircraft: In-Service Date (ISD). The Defence Procurement Minister noted (15 Sep 15) that the RAF’s transport fleet has reached a key milestone with the delivery of the seventh Atlas to RAF Brize Nor