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15 Jul 22. Italy: Government instability risks set to increase as Draghi struggles to retain government unity. Prime Minister Mario Draghi submitted his resignation on 14 July following a vote on the cost of living support package. Although the proposal received a majority of votes, it was not supported by the second-largest coalition party. Draghi said that he can no longer govern if he is not supported by his national unity government. President Sergio Mattarella rejected the prime minister’s resignation, meaning Draghi will have to address the parliament early next week to assess if he still has the necessary support in parliament to continue governing. If Draghi cannot garner enough support next week, he might face a vote of confidence. An early election would almost certainly be triggered if he were to lose a confidence vote. Nevertheless, even if Draghi manages to unite his coalition government, stability risks will remain ahead of the 2023 election, especially as most parties are now focusing on bolstering their support bases. (Source: Sibylline)
18 Jul 22. New UK aerospace innovation to propel UK to growth and greener skies backed by £273m.
- Solar-powered aircraft and NHS treatment carrying drones are among latest innovations backed by £273m of government and industry funding
- Package to help UK aerospace sector seize jobs and growth opportunities from the global green flight revolution and other emerging sectors like drone technology
- Announcement comes on first day of the Farnborough International Airshow, where the Business Secretary will deliver a keynote speech today
Solar powered aircraft, ultra-efficient wings and medical treatment carrying drones are just some of the technologies backed by £273m to advance low-carbon aerospace innovation, economic growth and jobs, Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng will announce at the Farnborough International Airshow today (Monday 18 July).
81,000 jobs have been created so far through the Aerospace Technology Institute Programme, with £97 billion of value added to the UK economy to date. Today £155 million of joint government-industry funding has been announced to support new projects unlocking the latest in green aerospace innovation, such as hydrogen and battery technology, and ultra-efficient manufacturing processes and technologies, such as digital and additive manufacturing – generating further job opportunities and leads in emerging technologies and sectors.
A further £105.5m of government-industry funding will be shared by projects focussed on developing air transport systems and enabling new vehicle technologies through the Future Flight Challenge. The projects could create more than 8,800 jobs and include making motorways safer and improving journey times by using electric drones to survey hazards, to using electric drones to distribute medical treatments across Scotland, including to cancer patients.
The Business Secretary will also announce up to £12 million is to be made available through the Regulators’ Pioneer Fund to back initiatives that could unlock industries of the future through regulation – from flying cars to vaccine-carrying drones. Finally, a Drone Ambition Statement will be published today, outlining how government and industry can work together to seize on drones’ potential £45 billion of benefit to the economy by 2030.
Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said: “The return of the Farnborough International Airshow after a four-year absence is a clear example of the aerospace and aviation sector’s recovery. Today’s package of support will further this recovery and help the sector seize on the enormous opportunities for growth that exist as the world transitions to cleaner forms of flight. Through funding for the latest in green technology, such as solar and hydrogen powered aircraft, and setting out our vision for the fast-growing market for commercial drones, we are once again placing the aerospace sector directly at the centre of our plans to deliver jobs and grow the economy.”
Among 31 Aerospace Technology Institute Programme competition winners, backed by £155 million of government-industry funding, are:
- High Density Aerospace Solar Power led by Microlink Devices UK – £6.7 million to secure a high-volume, highly automated manufacturing capability in solar cells for the UK that could be used on electric aircraft;
- UToPEA led by Yasa – £11.1 million to transfer knowledge of high-power, high-torque electric motors and power electronics used in Formula One into the urban air mobility (air taxi) market;
- X-WING ALPHA led by Airbus – £19.9 million to develop ultra-wide span wings, providing significant performance benefits through weight reduction; and
- NGC3 led by Crompton Technology Group – £5.3m to develop weight reduction components aimed at facilitating carbon composite wings.
Through the Future Flight Challenge led by UK Research and Innovation, 17 projects will share £105.5m in funding to develop and demonstrate integrated aviation systems and new vehicle technologies. The projects will work with the Civil Aviation Authority to ensure they are delivered safely and effectively. They include:
- Project HEART, based in Orkney and Bedford – £10m to explore using aircraft powered by hydrogen or electricity to open up greener regional connectivity across the UK;
- Open Skies Cornwall – £2.4m to work with Royal Mail and NHS Kernow to use drones to provide residents on the Isles of Scilly with regular, reliable deliveries of mail and medical supplies;
- CAELUS 2, based across Scotland – £10.1m to use electric drones to support the distribution of medical products and medicines across Scotland, including helping to treat cancer patients in their local community, rather than requiring them to travel; and
- Skyway, based in Reading – £12.9m to use drones to quickly and efficiently survey infrastructure, such as motorways and ports, reducing the need for costly transport system closures and improving delivery times.
A new £12 million funding pot will be made available through the Regulators’ Pioneer Fund to support bold initiatives by regulators and local authorities that enable the UK’s regulatory environment to keep pace with cutting-edge innovation. Bids for up to £1 million per project will open on 21 July.
Previous funding has supported development of a world-first regime for crash-protected containers that drones can use to carry sensitive goods such as vaccines and a project to unlock regulatory barriers to flying taxis.
Transport Minister Robert Courts said: “The steps we have set out today will ensure our aviation sector remains world-leading and fit for the future, helping to deliver on our ambitious climate change goals and boost high-skilled job opportunities. Integrating drones into our transport system will play a huge part in better connecting communities, from potentially delivering vital NHS treatments in isolated communities to capturing high quality aerial imaging for rescue teams.”
A Drone Ambition Statement has been produced in collaboration with the Drone Industry Action Group, outlining how the UK will embed a business environment that supports the development of drone technologies and can deliver 650,000 jobs in the sector by 2030. This will be achieved through government investments like those made today through the Future Flight Challenge, effective regulation, a consultation on enabling 5G connected drones for commercial use and improving public communications to underline the potential benefits of commercial drones.
The ATI Programme and Future Flight Challenge are key components of the government’s Jet Zero policy, which includes the Jet Zero Council, established to convene government, industry and academia, and jointly chaired by the Business Secretary and Transport Secretary. A final Jet Zero Strategy will be published this summer.
Government will also work with industry through the Aerospace Growth Partnership, which launches a new strategy “Destination Net Zero” tomorrow, to deliver the sector’s transition to greener forms of aviation.
14 Jul 22. U.S., Italian Defense Leaders Discuss Shared Interests, Concerns for Ukraine. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III hosted a visit by Italian Minister of Defense Lorenzo Guerini today at the Pentagon. The two defense leaders discussed the U.S. and Italian defense relationship, mutual concerns over Russia’s actions in Ukraine and shared interests outside of Europe, such as operations in Africa.
“Our meeting today underscores the importance of our transatlantic relationships to our shared unity and security,” Austin told Guerini. “That’s especially crucial as Ukraine continues to fight back against Russia’s unprovoked and unjust invasion … I want to thank you for everything that you’re doing to support Ukraine in the face of Russia’s indefensible assault on its peaceful neighbor.”
Austin also noted Italy’s contributions outside the scope of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, such as taking the lead on the NATO mission in Iraq in May 2022, and taking the helm of the Kosovo Force mission again this fall.
“Your military’s presence in the Baltics, Romania, Iceland, Lebanon and in several countries in Africa, demonstrates again that Italy is one of Europe’s most reliable security providers,” Austin told the Italian defense leader.
Guerini thanked Austin for leading the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, which has met several times since its first meeting in April.
“Let me express my gratitude for your leadership of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, which contributes in a decisive way to supporting resistance in Ukraine, allowing a coordination between all contributing countries which would have been otherwise impossible,” Guerini said.
The Italian defense leader said Italy has played an important role in helping Ukraine defend its sovereignty against Russia’s illegal invasion of their country.
“So far we have already delivered three packages of equipment, including some of absolute relevance, and we will continue to do so in close synergy with allied countries, starting from the United States,” he said.
The Italian military has expressed willingness to further contribute to NATO’s defense efforts.
“In addition to what we are already doing, the Italian armed forces are ready to send further units in order to strengthen the defense of our allies on the eastern flank,” Guerini said.
Italy is also committed to the southern flank of NATO defense, he said, noting that decisions made during the recent summit in Madrid ensured a stronger NATO commitment there.
“NATO is even stronger after the Madrid Summit, where we have made important decisions such as 360-degree strategic flexibility. Within this framework, Italy welcomed and fully shared the confirmed centrality of the southern flank,” he said.
It is on the southern flank, on the Mediterranean, Guerini said, where a recent photograph he and his staff had seen illustrated not only Italy’s commitment to NATO, but its partnership with the U.S.
“We recently saw a picture of the U.S. and Italian naval groups with the carriers Truman and Cavour navigating side by side in the Mediterranean,” he said. “This image gives the image of our friendship better than any speech could do, and of the special relation between the United States and Italy, as well as underscoring the importance of the southern flank.” (Source: US DoD)
14 Jul 22. Italian Navy, telecom provider team up to deter attacks on undersea cables. Italian submarines are to monitor and deter attacks on undersea internet cables in the Mediterranean Sea as part of a new deal between the Italian Navy and the country’s largest private cable provider.
Amid fears of the threat of sabotage to undersea cables that carry most of the world’s internet traffic, the Navy is teaming with Sparkle to keep an eye on its fiber-optic bundles.
“Today, modern technology allows easy access to the underwater dimension,” said Rear Adm. Vito Lacerenza, the commander of the Navy’s submarine fleet.
“Even yachts can deploy submarines or undersea drones, so there is an increased need for more accurate situational awareness in the underwater environment to monitor and protect critical infrastructure such as these cables, which carry over 95% of the world’s internet volume,” he told Defense News.
In a statement, the Navy and Sparkle said they will undertake “joint reconnaissance and monitoring activities of Sparkle’s proprietary submarine cables and neighbouring areas,” adding that the service “will also provide cartographic support for the seabed of interest as well as assistance in emergency operational situations.”
Lacerenza said the Navy will “exchange information” with the firm.
“Their data will give us a better awareness of the network and its critical aspects to help us monitor it better,” he said. “Knowing where these cables [are] means we can offer better surveillance using submarine sensors.
“Crises all around the Mediterranean have increased the attention we pay to this infrastructure. What we are learning is that the undersea domain is as important as space when it comes to protecting national economies.”
NATO ministers in 2020 discussed the danger of Russian submarines cutting or tapping undersea internet cables, and the U.K. last year announced it would build a new surveillance ship to protect cables. At the time, British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said the “lights could go out” if “incredibly important” undersea cables were attacked, specifically noting that Russia had “taken a deep interest” in the cables.
In recent years, a growing number of cables were laid in the Atlantic Ocean, with some entering the Mediterranean Sea through the Strait of Gibraltar and exiting through the Suez Canal to reach Asia and the Middle East. Some also come ashore at junction boxes in Sicily.
In addition to its four U212A submarines, the Italian Navy is now building four upgraded NFS — or Near Future Submarine — versions to replace its older Sauro-class vessels.
“The NFS submarines will be better able to network with sensors on other platforms, as well as using undersea drones, all of which will make them proficient at monitoring the cables,” Lacerenza said.
He also suggested cables themselves might act as sensors since they register nearby changes in pressure, offering the Navy the possibility of accessing an unforeseen network of sensors stretching across the seafloor.
“We are looking into that now,” he said. (Source: Defense News)
14 Jul 22. Hungary: State of emergency declared over energy concerns, elevating regional tensions in Europe. On 13 July, Hungary declared a state of emergency and said it will stop exporting gas to neighbouring countries in an effort to secure the country’s energy supply. Hungary’s decision will escalate regional tensions in Europe as EU regulation make energy-sharing within the bloc mandatory in theory, although in practice only a few solidarity agreements have been signed to date. Similar patterns of nation’s prioritising domestic matters are evident throughout Europe. Germany has made political agreements with Denmark, Austria, and Czechia, while Estonia and Lithuania have agreements in place with Latvia, threatening European unity and elevating energy security concerns. Meanwhile, significant protests took place in Budapest on 13 July when the Hungarian parliament passed a tax reform measure, affecting thousands of businesses and independent workers. There is a realistic possibility that protests will continue through the weekend, elevating the threat to staff and assets in the area. (Source: Sibylline)
13 Jul 22. UK’s new E model Apache attack helicopter declared operational. The ‘E’ model attack helicopters will replace the Mark 1s, with new internal software, engines and missiles.
A new Apache AH-64 attack helicopter is headed for the British Army, offering a full-colour, bigger picture of the battlefield and improved ways of affecting it.
This newly operational E model has a top speed of 186 mph, a new software overhaul to allow for greater target acquisition and is expecting new ‘Romeo’ variant Hellfire missiles.
Fifty of the new models are set to join the Army by 2025, with nearly £300m invested in the first delivery of the aircraft so far.
The Apache AH-64 has long been the world’s most advanced attack helicopter, serving the UK military over Libya, Iraq and Afghanistan.
The latest model looks similar to its Mark 1 predecessor and handles similarly too, despite new blades and American engines.
“It’s all about the software and the changes on the inside,” said Major Olly Snell, Officer Commanding 653 Squadron.
The co-pilot gunner in the front can now see the ground below in full colour, to improve communication with troops, he added.
“We can pick out things such as number plates because we’ve got this picture-in-picture, which means we can continue to look at the bigger picture but also have a small, stepped-in field of view on a certain item if we need to.”
The new Apache can detect 250 targets at once, from 10 miles away, and also carries the same 30mm cannon. (Source: Forces.net)
13 Jul 22. Dutch, U.S. Defense Leaders Work to Strengthen Ties. Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren and Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III said they have never seen NATO more united than it is today.
Ollongren and Austin met at the Pentagon today to discuss the next steps in opposing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and a raft of other issues, including working together in the Indo-Pacific region to maintain the rules-based international order.
In remarks at the start of the meeting, Austin praised the Netherlands for supporting Ukraine. “I want to personally thank you for everything that you’re doing to support the Ukrainian people as they defend their lives, their freedom and their democracy,” he said. “The Netherlands has heeded Ukraine’s calls for the offensive and lethal equipment— especially in high priority areas, such as artillery and coastal defense.”
The Netherlands is also reinforcing and reassuring frontline NATO allies by sending forces to Lithuania, Slovakia and Romania, he said. The secretary also praised the Netherlands for the European Union’s efforts to sanction Russia’s energy sector.
The United States and the Netherlands cooperate far beyond NATO. The two countries work together in the Middle East, Persian Gulf and Africa to counter the threats of terrorism, Austin said. “We work together in the Caribbean to counter drug smuggling,” he said. “And I know that the Netherlands is also committed to a free and open Indo-Pacific.”
Ollongren thanked Austin for his leadership in the effort to supply Ukraine with the equipment it needs to repel Russia’s unprovoked invasion. “Our joint task is really to protect our important values and protect the freedom of the people,” she said. “I also want to say… that, as a true leader of the Department of Defense, you have also shown that you can stand up for women’s health.”
The Netherlands will achieve spending 2 percent of gross domestic product on defense in 2024. The Dutch military is buying state of the art capabilities, including F-35 Joint Strike Fighters and MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicles. The defense minister noted that the United States and the Netherlands cooperate in high-tech defense in the cyber world and in space.
Ollongen said the Netherlands recognized the United States as a nation in 1777. “Our relationship is based on common commitment, freedom and rights,” she said.
She said the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, which Austin leads. gathers allies and partners from around the world. “We have taken that support to a new level, pushing to do more and leading by example, and we stand ready to work with you and do everything we can to help you create and protect history,” she said. (Source: US DoD)
12 Jul 22. SAS unit repeatedly killed Afghan detainees, BBC finds. An SAS squadron repeatedly killed detainees and unarmed men, according to a BBC investigation. Operatives killed unarmed detainees during night raids and used “drop weapons” to justify the deaths of unarmed target. These are some of the claims soldiers and several people who served with the special forces have made during BBC Panorama’s investigation into a series of suspicious killings of civilians in Afghanistan. The investigation, which analysed hundreds of pages of SAS operational accounts, points to evidence that operatives repeatedly killed detainees and unarmed men in suspicious circumstances. It also suggests one unit may have unlawfully killed 54 people in a six-month tour in Helmand in 2010/11.
During the analysis of the information, a pattern emerged of similar reports about Afghan men, who had been shot dead. The BBC also understands the former head of special forces General Sir Mark Carleton-Smith, who declined to comment, was briefed about alleged unlawful killings but did not pass on the evidence, even after a murder investigation into the SAS squadron highlighted had begun. Internal emails show those in the highest levels of special forces were aware of concerns but failed to report their suspicions – there is a legal obligation to do so. The Ministry of Defence, which said British forces “served with courage and professionalism” in Afghanistan, could not comment on specific allegations. Declining to comment, it added, was not an acceptance of factual accuracy. Here’s more on the findings, which have taken four years of painstaking detective work to uncover. This is how we did it. (Source: BBC)
MoD Comment: Armed Forces personnel have been put “at risk both in the field and reputationally” by BBC Panorama’s episode about SAS operations in Afghanistan, according to the MOD.
The Ministry of Defence has put out a strong statement criticising “unjustified conclusions” in an upcoming hour-long documentary, called SAS Death Squads Exposed: A British War Crime?
Meanwhile, it is yet to be confirmed whether the UK’s fifth F-35 squadron will come under the Royal Navy or Royal Air Force, a defence minister has said.
Elsewhere, a facility at RAF Cranwell has been closed amid reports that the tarmac has melted as a heatwave sweeps across the UK.
If you’re currently struggling in the heat, we have some articles to help you survive.
And finally, what does space smell like and what do astronauts miss the most while in the International Space Station? Major Tim Peake answered some great questions from military kids.
BATTLESPACE Comment: The Editor watched the programme last night and in our view it came nowhere near to proving the existence of ‘SAS Death Squads,’ having suffered at the hands of the corrupt lawyer Phil Shiner who paid Iraqis to lie about death and torture, the MoD line as stated is quite clear and to the point. Why does the BBC continue its ‘soldier bashing’ campaign?
13 Jul 22. Ireland: Government wins confidence vote, decreasing political instability risks in short term. The government won a vote of confidence on 12 July by 85 votes to 66. The ruling Fianna Fáil/Fine Gael/Green Party coalition is now likely to avoid a snap election in the short term. However, the margin of the victory suggests that political turmoil in the mid-to-long term is possible, particularly as Sinn Fein currently enjoys a voter approval rate of approximately 35 percent, close behind the coalition’s combined 40 percent. A long-term move away from the centre-right, traditionally the seat of power in Irish politics, is still possible. The next general election is due to take place in February 2025, though disagreements in the ruling coalition may cause an election to be called before then. However, the risk of snap elections and serious instability in the short term have been mitigated by the result of yesterday’s vote. (Source: Sibylline)
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