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19 Jan 24. Turkish navy receives unmanned surface vessel, three crewed ships. Two supply ships, a frigate and an unmanned surface vessel entered service with the Turkish navy on Friday.
A commissioning ceremony took place at Sefine Shipyard in Yalova, where the company constructed the largest of the vessels, the replenishment and logistics ship TCG Derya. Those attending the event included the country’s president, defense minister, chief of the General Staff and the top naval officer.
Defense News has gathered information about these vessels from Turkish government social media posts, open-source intelligence firm Jane’s, company websites, a now-retired Turkish naval official and internal analysis.
TCG Derya is the second-largest ship in the Turkish navy after the amphibious assault ship TCG Anadolu. The new vessel can carry 10,000 tons of fuel, 750 tons of fresh water and 270 cubic meters of cargo. The ship is 199.9 meters long and 24.4 meters wide. Its displacement is 26,115 tons.
With its single General Electric-made LM2500 gas turbine and two diesel engines, the ship can reach 24 knots (28 mph). The ship has two Gökdeniz gun mounts and two 25mm remote control weapons stations. It also features a landing pad, two hangars and two replenishment-at-sea rigs on each side.
The ship’s primary mission is to supply a task force based around the TCG Anadolu.
The other supply ship, the TCG Üsteğmen Arif Ekmekçi, is the second and last vessel of the country’s logistics support ship program. It is 106.51 meters long and 16.8 meters wide. Its displacement is 8,477 tons. Its two diesel engines can propel the ship to a maximum speed of 12.5 knots.
Like its sister ship, the TCG Üsteğmen Arif Ekmekçi has spare room to accommodate a task force. It can carry eight standard ISO containers, 631 tons of potable water, 336 tons of JP-5 fuel and 4,036 tons of F-76 fuel. There is also a medical facility for performing surgeries.
This ship has a large landing pad, but no hangar nor replenishment-at-sea equipment. However, it can provide astern refueling to other ships.
Its construction began in 2017, but was paused as the Selah Shipyard that won the original tender to build two ships went bankrupt. The local firm STM took over the project as the main contractor.
The frigate TCG Istanbul is the inaugural vessel of its class; three more are under construction, and the government recently authorized four additional units.
The frigate has a full-load displacement of 3,100 tons, a length of 113.2 meters, a beam of 14.4 meters, and a draft of 4.05 meters. It can achieve a top speed of 29 knots and has a standard range of 6,000 nautical miles (6,905 miles) at 12 knots. The ship can accommodate a crew of 125.
The frigate is equipped with 16 Atmaca anti-ship missiles. It is also armed with Hisar-D and Sapan missiles to counter airborne threats by using the domestically made vertical launching system MIDLAS. Its inclusion on the ship follows the cancellation of a planned purchase of the MK41 Vertical Launching System due to U.S. sanctions.
The unmanned surface vessel commissioned Friday is named TCB 1101. The “TCB” designation is also given to planes, helicopters and large unmanned vessels.
The USV is 15 meters long and has a range of 400 nautical miles. It is armed with one 12.7mm remote control weapons station and features electronic warfare technology.
The vessel took part in the NATO exercises REPMUS 22 and Dynamic Messenger 22, both of which occurred in Portugal. (Source: Defense News)
19 Jan 24. Denmark to Buy Long-Range Drones, New Radars to Monitor Far North. The First Partial Agreement Ensures New Drones for the Arctic and the North Atlantic. New, long-range drones will strengthen surveillance and sovereignty enforcement in the Arctic and North Atlantic, the parties behind the first partial agreement under the new defense settlement have decided, with the involvement of the Faroe Islands and Greenland.
In order to strengthen surveillance in the Arctic and the North Atlantic, additional funding is set aside for the purchase of long-range drones as part of the first sub-agreement under the new defense settlement.
Behind the agreement are the government, the Socialist People’s Party, the Danish Democrats, the Liberal Alliance, the Conservative People’s Party, the Radical Left and the Danish People’s Party. The agreement has been drawn up with the close involvement of the Faroese government and Greenland’s Naalakkersuisut.
“We have a special obligation in relation to our immediate area, and the Kingdom must in future take greater responsibility for security in the entire region. This means that we have to use more muscle in the Arctic and the North Atlantic. Therefore, I am also very satisfied that we have agreed to secure the financing for the acquisition of long-range drones in the first partial agreement. Thus delivering on one of the key decisions from the Arctic capacity package,” says Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen.
With advanced radar, sensor and signal acquisition technology, the drones must, among other things, help monitor the ever-increasing activities in the Arctic and the North Atlantic for both civilian and military use.
The decision to acquire the drones was made in connection with the agreement on the Arctic capacity package, which was concluded in 2021. Due to price increases, however, it has been necessary to secure additional financing for the acquisition in the first partial agreement. It is a priority for the parties to the agreement and Naalakkersuisut that the acquisition is in place as soon as possible.
The agreement also prioritizes setting up an air warning radar in the Faroe Islands as soon as possible in cooperation between Danish and Faroese authorities. The air warning radar will lead to a significant strengthening of monitoring of the airspace in the North Atlantic. The decision to acquire the air warning radar has a background in the Arctic capacity package and a separate agreement between the government and the national government.
In addition, there is agreement to support the positive search for Arctic Basic Education in Greenland, including if possible and relevant with a strengthened intake on the education, as well as to examine the development potential for the scheme with Greenland guardians.
The first partial agreement also includes investment in other military capabilities, such as air defenses for the Army and weapons for the Navy, as well as initiatives to strengthen the recruitment and retention of employees.
The initiatives must contribute to ensuring that the Ministry of Defence’s group has the prerequisites to build up the defense area and fulfill the ambition to strengthen Danish defense and security, and that Denmark can meet NATO force targets to a greater extent.
Naalakkersuisut Councillor for Independence and Foreign Affairs Vivian Motzfeldt states: “In addition to following the existing political agreement on the long-range donations to the door, the first partial agreement ensures that in the future we can support the very positive search for Arctic Basic Education that has been in Greenland. It is of paramount importance to me that the task of strengthening the defense of and security in Greenland also benefits the Greenlandic population. Through Naalakkersuisut’s involvement in the first partial agreement, the framework for cooperation with the Danish government on the future partial agreements has been set. I very much look forward to the discussions ahead, both with the Minister of Defence and with the Greenlandic parties in Inatsisartut.” (The Naalakkersuisut is the chief executive body and the government of Greenland–Ed.) (Unofficial translation by Defense-Aerospace.com) (Source: https://www.defense-aerospace.com/ Danish Ministry of Defence; issued Jan. 18, 2024)
18 Jan 24. Dire state of the UK Royal Navy’s frigate fleet laid bare.
The Royal Navy’s surface fleet could slip into irrelevance, with just seven active vessels as of January 2024 and a further four in refit, some of which may never re-emerge.
The UK Royal Navy’s frigate fleet could be reduced to a total of just nine hulls by 2027, as a combination of the current timeline for the introduction of the first of the Type 31 and Type 26 surface combatants remains misaligned with outgoing Type 23 vessels.
In a written UK parliamentary written response on 15 January, it was revealed that the UK Royal Navy had 11 Type 23 frigates ‘in service’ – of these, seven platforms were described as being ‘operational’.
The remaining four vessels – HMS Argyll, HMS Westminster, HMS Sutherland, and HMS St Albans – are either currently in or awaiting a refit process, vital to the recertification efforts intended to extend the type’s service life.
During a keynote speech on 15 January 2024, UK Secretary of State for Defence Grant Shapps, responding to media queries about potential cuts to the Royal Navy, said that any frigates removed from service that had served for twice as long as their originally intended service life could not be considered to be “retired early”.
Further, Shapps intimated that there was little point in allowing ageing vessels to undergo maintenance programmes that would only be completed after replacement vessels were already built.
The comments come fresh on the back of concerns over the future of the Royal Navy’s Albion-class landing platform docks, a lead element of the UK’s ability to conduct amphibious assault operations, where UK officials stated that “no decision” had been made on their future.
In an unwanted echo, it appears elements of the surface combatant fleet could be at risk, with vessels such as HMS Westminster thought to be in poor materiel condition. HMS Westminster last saw active service in September 2022 during a SINKEX in the Atlantic with the US Navy, since when has been moored up awaiting its turn in the Type 23 LIFEX programme.
Speaking to Naval Technology, a Royal Navy spokesperson said: “The operational requirements of the Royal Navy are kept under constant review. The Ministry of Defence is committed to ensuring the Royal Navy has the capabilities it needs to meet current and future operational requirements.”
Will older Type 23s emerge from recertification?
The oldest remaining Type 23 is HMS Argyll, which spent several years forward deployed in the Gulf region before turning to UK waters in 2020. HMS Argyll undertook gunnery trials in November 2021, before commencing post-life extension (LIFEX) work at Babcock’s Frigate Support Centre (FSC) facility in Devonport in August 2022.
According to Babcock, HMS Argyll is the first Duke-class frigate to receive a post-LIFEX maintenance at FSC for re-certification. According to reports at the time the work would see Babcock perform design changes and integration new mixed crewing facilities, as well as communications upgrades, the overhauling of other major equipment, and a full hull respray.
However, as of 15 January, detailed in a written UK parliamentary response, HMS Argyll is still in the recertification programme, more than 17 months after first entering. The last publicly released out-of-service date (OSD) for the vessel was 2023, and it is not known if it will complete the recertification process.
It was previously reported by Naval Technology that the overall length of time that a Type 23 frigate is spending in refit and refurbishment programmes is increasing, as the fleet ages and becomes more difficult to maintain. Each ship of the class was originally intended to have an 18-year service life before replacement, but this has been extended through a series of refits.
From 2011-2017 each of the then 13 Type 23 frigates underwent a LIFEX or refit period, with the duration of each programme ranging from 12 months up to 36 months. From 2018 onwards the figures increase, with the first three vessels to undergo earlier work returned to the shipyards for between 37-49 months.
In line with vessel class certification rules, the out-of-service date of warships can be extended for a maximum of six years following completion of each upkeep maintenance programme.
The cost to refit and maintain the ageing class is also a factor, with HMS Iron Duke’s 2023 refit costing more than £100m. By comparison, in the financial year 2023-24, £100m has been allocated for Type 23 refits and of this sum about £50m has been expended, according to official figures.
The case of HMS Argyll, given the above factors, appears troubling given the slippage between its intended OSD of 2023 and its current 17-month long, and still counting, refit. Taking the post-2017 Type 23 refit duration average, it could take another 26 months for the vessel to complete the process, emerging in mid-2026. (Source: naval-technology.com)
19 Jan 24. NATO Chiefs of Defence Discuss Deterrence and Defence Priorities. From 17 to 18 January 2024, the NATO Military Committee in Chiefs of Defence Session took place at NATO Headquarters in Brussels. The 31 Allied Chiefs of Defence and Invitee Sweden focused on the executability the Alliance’s new defence plans, NATO’s warfighting transformation, NATO’s continued support to Ukraine and military cooperation with NATO Partners Austria, Australia, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, and the Republic of Korea. During the two-day meeting, the Chiefs of Defence met for the first time in a NATO-Ukraine Council format.
Opening the NATO Military Committee session alongside NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană, Chair of the Military Committee Admiral Rob Bauer stressed that the rules-based international order is under immense pressure: “The tectonic plates of power are shifting. And as a result we face the most dangerous world in decades. In this new era of collective defence we must defend not only the physical safety of our 1 bn people and 31 (soon to be 32) nations, we are defending freedom and democracy”.
The Deputy Secretary General, Mr. Geoană highlighted various global security challenges: “Today, our peace is threatened. War, terrorism, instability. Authoritarian states threaten our values. We need a strong NATO more than ever and a strong NATO is what we have.”
The first session saw General Cavoli, Supreme Allied Commander Europe – SACEUR, brief on the executability of the DDA Family of Plans and the way ahead regarding NATO’s deterrence and defence posture. Allies are actively working on making the new defence plans fully executable.
Regarding NATO’s warfighting transformation, Supreme Allied Commander Transformation General Lavigne and Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Transformation General Badia updated the Chiefs of Defence on the progress regarding NATO’s transformation, focusing on the future of multi domain operations and the adaptation of NATO’s Command and Control.
The session of Integrated Air and Missile defence saw the Chiefs of Defence discuss the improvement of NATO’s readiness and interoperability in the Air domain.
The afternoon saw the Chiefs of Defence discuss and provide additional guidance to the two Strategic Commanders regarding NATO’s deterrence and defence priorities ahead of the Washington D.C. The new defence plans require more people, more training and exercising, more stockpiles and capabilities, and more planning defence investment.
In the inaugural NATO-Ukraine Council in Chiefs of Defence format, the Ukrainian Military Representative to Ukraine, Major General Serhii Salkutsan briefed the NATO Chiefs of Defence on behalf of Ukrainian Chief of Defence General Zaluzhnyi. Praising the bravery and determination of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the Chiefs of Defence reaffirmed their unwavering and continued support to Ukraine. Admiral Bauer stipulated: “The outcome of this war will determine the fate of the world. Our support is not charity; it is an investment in our security.”
The second day began with the Military Committee gathering with the Chiefs of Defence from the Partner Interoperability Advocacy Group: Australia, Austria, Ireland, New Zealand and Switzerland. The PIAG Nations hold non-NATO Nation Status, which grants an individual security agreement that allows the exchange of classified information and participation in NATO training and exercises. The Chiefs of Defence stated that the current security environment clearly demonstrates the increased importance of cooperation with Partners, especially regarding interoperability.
Meeting with their Indo-Pacific partners Australia, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea, the NATO Chiefs of Defence discussed how regional security issues are increasingly becoming global security issues. Together, they discussed how to develop further training and exercising opportunities amidst closer cooperation.
The final session of the day saw the Chiefs of Defence meet with the NATO Secretary General, Mr. Jens Stoltenberg. The Chiefs of Defence discussed global security issues and the political priorities ahead of the Washington D.C. Summit. (Source: https://www.defense-aerospace.com/NATO)
18 Jan 24. Nato warns of all-out war with Russia in next 20 years.
Top official urges civilians as well as governments to prepare for life-changing conflict and potential conscription. Civilians must prepare for all-out war with Russia in the next 20 years, a top Nato military official has warned.
While armed forces are primed for the outbreak of war, private citizens need to be ready for a conflict that would require wholesale change in their lives, Adml Rob Bauer said on Thursday.
Large numbers of civilians will need to be mobilised in case of the outbreak of war and governments should put in place systems to manage the process, Adml Bauer told reporters after a meeting of Nato defence chiefs in Brussels.
“We have to realise it’s not a given that we are in peace. And that’s why we [Nato forces] are preparing for a conflict with Russia.
“But the discussion is much wider. It is also the industrial base and also the people that have to understand they play a role.”
Adml Bauer, a Dutch naval officer who is chairman of Nato’s Military Committee, praised Sweden for asking all of its citizens to brace for war ahead of the country formally joining the alliance.
Stockholm’s move, announced earlier this month, has led to a surge in volunteers for the country’s civil defence organisation and a spike in sales of torches and battery-powered radios.
“It starts there,” Adml Bauer said. “The realisation that not everything is planable and not everything is going to be hunky dory in the next 20 years.”
Some 90,000 Nato troops will next week begin the bloc’s largest military exercise since the Cold War.
The Steadfast Defender 2024 operation has more than doubled in size since it was announced last year, and is explicitly designed to prepare the alliance for a Russian invasion.
Britain has committed around 20,000 soldiers, as well as tanks, artillery and fighter jets to the drills taking place across Europe until May.
But senior Nato officials are increasingly concerned that governments and private arms manufacturers are falling behind in preparations on the domestic front.
Stockpiles of weapons and ammunition have been drained by the conflict in Ukraine and will take years to replenish at the current rate of production.
Meanwhile, Russia has tripled its military expenditure to 40 per cent of the entire national budget, while drastically speeding up manufacturing lines.
“We need to be readier across the whole spectrum,” Adml Bauer said. “You have to have a system in place to find more people if it comes to war, whether it does or not. Then you talk mobilisation, reservists or conscription.
“You need to be able to fall back on an industrial base that is able to produce weapons and ammunition fast enough to be able to continue a conflict if you are in it.”
Western aid to Ukraine has dwindled amid growing public resistance in the United States and European Union.
The EU has been unable to deliver on its promise to send one m 155mm artillery shells to Kyiv by next month, contributing to a collapse in the rate of fire of Ukrainian artillery.
Joe Biden has also been unable to convince Republican leaders to back further spending packages for Ukraine, as they argue the money should be spent on domestic priorities, such as border security, instead.
On Thursday, David Cameron warned against 1930s-style appeasement of Vladimir Putin and promised Britain would keep supporting Ukraine in the “struggle of our generation”.
The Foreign Secretary urged Britain’s allies not to push for peace talks between Kyiv and Moscow, arguing that unifying behind Ukraine was the best way to end the war. (Source: Daily Telegraph)
16 Jan 24. Serbia to spend nearly EUR740m on new weapons. Serbia will spend nearly EUR740m (USD810.m) in 2024 on new military equipment, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić announced on 13 January during a visit to Serbia’s Military Security Agency.
He said, “We currently have EUR186m of free funds in the bank account of [state-owned intermediary for export/import of defence equipment] Yugoimport SDPR, which we will spend immediately on weapons from the domestic defence industry,” including eight more Nora 8×8 self-propelled gun-howitzers, 81 Miloš II 4×4 multi-purpose armoured combat vehicles, 30 special turrets for the Lazar III 8×8 infantry fighting vehicle (IFV); and 26 other (upgraded M80AB1 tracked amphibious) IFVs. (Source: Janes)
16 Jan 24. Belarus hints at new doctrine for using nuclear weapons. The defense minister of Belarus said Tuesday that the country will put forth a new military doctrine that for the first time provides for the use of nuclear weapons.
Russia last year sent tactical nuclear weapons to be stationed in Belarus, although there are no details about how many. Russia has said it will maintain control over those weapons, which are intended for battlefield use and have short ranges and comparatively low yields.
It was not immediately clear how the new doctrine might be applied to the Russian weapons.
“We clearly communicate Belarus’ views on the use of tactical nuclear weapons stationed on our territory,” Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin said at a meeting of Belarus’ Security Council. “A new chapter has appeared, where we clearly define our allied obligations to our allies.”
The doctrine is to be presented for approval to the All-Belarusian People’s Assembly, a representative body that operates in Belarus in parallel with the parliament.
Russia used Belarusian territory as a springboard to send its troops into Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, and has maintained its military bases and weapons there, although Belarusian troops have not taken part in the war.
Security Council Secretary Alexander Volfovich said the deployment of Russian nuclear weapons in Belarus is intended to deter aggression from Poland, a NATO member.
“Unfortunately, statements by our neighbors, in particular Poland … forced us to strengthen” the military doctrine, he said. (Source: Defense News)
17 Jan 24. European Commission Signs Grant Agreement To Launch LATACC.
The Land Tactical Collaborative Combat (LATACC) project accelerates the introduction of collaborative combat by European coalition forces
• The European Commission signed a Grant Agreement to launch the LATACC project (Land Tactical Collaborative Combat) coordinated by Thales to improve the collaborative capabilities of European coalition forces.
• The LATACC project brings together 34 industry players and research institutes (including core team members Thales, Rheinmetall, Leonardo, Indra, Saab, ISD and John Cockerill Defense) from 13 European countries. The project is financed by the European Commission with €49m of funding from the European Defence Fund.
• With the return of high-intensity conflict, the project aims to develop a solution that will optimise and accelerate allied decision-making and response in order to guarantee operational superiority on the battlefield.
The LATACC project aims to enable the different land combat systems being developed by each Member State (such as the Scorpion programme in France, CAMO in Belgium, DLBO in Germany, BMS-ET in Spain, FNEC in Italy, Ledningsstödsystem Mark (LSS Mark) in Sweden, MIME in Norway…) to coordinate their actions in coalition with very short response times, while interfacing with other domains (air, space, cyber) as well as civil systems (5G, etc.).
The LATACC project, coordinated by Thales, is led by a team of experts with proven experience of complex land systems, and will benefit from the partners’ strong capacity for innovation in key areas such as cloud technologies, communications, sensors, integration of complex systems, robotics, effectors, AI and system resilience in constrained environments.
Over the next three years, the consortium of the LATACC project bringing together 34 industries will analyse the requirements of European users and conduct a series of studies to identify common operational scenarios, define interoperable open architectures that are compatible with current and future standards, and develop the key technological building bricks needed to produce advanced technology demonstrators.
Trials will be conducted under realistic operational conditions and during large-scale demonstrations to confirm the tactical benefits of land collaborative combat in European coalition operations.
A possible second phase of the LATACC project could develop additional functionalities and bring to maturity the key components developed in the first phase.
This initiative will define a European framework and tactical-level collaboration services to speed up innovation, enhancing interoperability between national programs as well as cooperations such as the future European tanks project, and will help to safeguard the sovereignty of European industry in the field of collaborative combat and the key technologies required to make the concept a reality.
LATACC is a good illustration of federation of a large number of industry players (major companies and SMEs), institutional partners (research institutes, etc.) and government agencies (European defence ministries) to tackle a complex topic with ground-breaking implications and strategic importance for the European defence community.
About LATACC
The project “Land Tactical Collaborative Combat”(LATACC) will improve armed forces’ collaborative capabilities from Brigade command post down to combat vehicles, dismounted soldier, and unmanned assets in high intensity conflicts. LATACC enhances legacy systems, develops new technologies and integrates them into a common European framework.
The partners are:
THALES France (COORDINATOR), Spain, Belgium and Netherland
RHEINMETALL ELECTRONICS Germany and Norway
LEONARDO Italy
INDRA Spain
SAAB Sweden
ISD Greece
JOHN COCKERILL DEFENCE Belgium
MILREM Estonia
AIT Austria
BPTI Lithuania
TELEPLAN GLOBE Norway
TNO Netherlands
STAM Italy
SENER AEROESPACIAL Spain
CLAVISTER Sweden
MBDA Italy
HELSING Germany
BLACKNED Germany
ELETTRONICA Italy
NEXTER France
SAFRAN E&D France
GREEN COMMUNICATIONS France
TNS MARS France
EVIDEN Bull SAS France
LARIMART Italy
The consortium will also involve two subcontractors:
INTRACOM DEFENCE Greece
ZMT Poland
16 Jan 24. Sweden plans to contribute to NATO’s forward presence in Latvia. The Swedish Armed Forces announced on their website on 9 January that they plan to contribute army units to NATO’s forward presence in Latvia. The announcement came a day after Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson told the annual Folk och Försvars security and defence conference in Sälen that his “government intends to contribute a reduced battalion to the Canadian-led forces in Latvia”.
The Swedish Armed Forces said that Sweden and Denmark would take turns leading a battalion as part of a brigade based outside Riga. Danish and Swedish troops will replace each other every six months, with a Swedish mechanised battalion starting to rotate in 2025 at the earliest. The South Skåne Regiment has been designated as the first Swedish unit to be deployed in Latvia after Sweden joins NATO, with 600 troops led by a Danish divisional staff. (Source: Janes)
09 Jan 24. U.S. Special Operators and F-16s Conduct Air Support Drill in Bosnia Amidst Secessionist Tensions. In a recent training operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, U.S. Special Operations forces on the ground coordinated with two U.S. Air Force F-16s in a close air support drill. This bilateral exercise was a response to rising tensions and secessionist movements in the country, specifically within the Republic of Srpska territory. The U.S. Embassy emphasized America’s commitment to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s territorial integrity, citing the 1995 Dayton Accords and the Bosnian constitution, which disallow any secession.
The U.S. military exercise, involving air-to-ground training with Army Special Forces and local troops, took place in the Tuzla and Brcko region. It featured joint terminal attack controllers (JTAC) directing military aircraft for ground support. The drills also received support from a KC-135 Stratotanker, providing aerial refueling for the F-16s. The exercise, led by U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa and supported by U.S. Special Operations Command Europe, demonstrates the U.S. military’s rapid deployment capabilities and its commitment to supporting allies and partners. (Source: https://www.sofx.com/)
15 Jan 24. Grant Shapps defends troop cuts as UK soldiers have a ‘can-do’ attitude. Defence Secretary says people confuse the size of the British Army with ‘how well you are defended as a nation.’
Grant Shapps has defended cuts to troop numbers as he said soldiers have a “can-do” attitude.
The Defence Secretary insisted the British Army remained capable of being deployed at short notice and fulfilling its role of defending the nation, regardless of its dwindling numbers.
In 2021, the Ministry of Defence announced it would cut troop numbers from 82,000 to 73,000 by 2025, its smallest size since the Napoleonic era.
In a speech at Lancaster House on Monday, where Mr Shapps set out his future vision for the defence of the UK and its allies, he said: “I often find, actually, especially just having conversations about the military, what people confuse and conflate are the precise number of troops, specifically for the Army, with how well you are defended as a nation.”
Mr Shapps added: “There are so many different elements to our deterrent and to our military assets which go way beyond just pure numbers.
“I find our military is incredibly capable. They are very much ‘can-do’ in attitude. We are getting the funding that they need to do the job.”
‘Army has never been smaller’
However, Lord Dannatt, the former head of the Army, told the Telegraph that while there was “no doubt” serving personnel had a “can-do” attitude, it did not make up for the fact “the British Army has never been smaller”.
“The bottom line is numbers do matter,” he said.
“It is a fact that at 73,000 the British Army has never been smaller and the Government has to accept there is a risk having an army that small. What happens in future if British forces are committed on the ground, can we sustain the operation for six months to 18 months?”
Mr Shapps added that in the five months since having been made Defence Secretary, there had not been a “single deployment” he was not able to supply British personnel for when asked by Nato.
He cited a recent peacekeeping mission in Kosovo, providing more support to Ukraine and sending the warship HMS Trent to Guyana at the end of last year as examples of when the Armed Forces were able to react when tasked by Nato.
He also referenced Britain’s role in the Red Sea last week, where RAF Typhoon jets successfully launched Paveway IV laser-guided bombs at two Houthi-controlled sites in Yemen, as a further example of the nation’s strength.
Tobias Ellwood, the former chairman of the defence select committee, said: “However personnel numbers are interpreted, as we rightly step up to challenge an ever-contested world, we are placing ever-increasing demands on all three services that are increasingly overstretched. Upgrading our defence posture must therefore be addressed in the forthcoming budget.”
Last week, Mr Shapps reiterated at a press conference in London his position that defence spending should rise from 2.5 per cent of GDP to 3 per cent. (Source: Daily Telegraph)
15 Jan 24. EU launches future mobility taskforce, recommendations expected in Spring 2024. European Commissioner for Transport Adina Vălean launched the EU Future Mobility Taskforce in Brussels last week, with the goal of providing guidance to policymakers for the next legislative mandate in the area of innovation and startups in the transportation sector. The new task force is comprised of 18 European mobility companies and startups, including Aura Aero, Bolt, Cabify, Carto, Dronamics, EVBOX, EV Connect, Fastned, Flix, Lilium, MaasGlobal, Nevomo, Otiv, Volocopter, Voi, Virta.
“Today marked the launch of the EU Future Mobility Taskforce, where 16 CEOs and Founders from Europe’s top private mobility unicorns and startups joined forces,” said Commissioner for Transport, Adina Vălean. “In a dynamic meeting, we delved into the needs of our transport innovators and explored ground-breaking initiatives like Drone Strategy 2.0 and future Hyperloop regulatory frameworks. The European Union is boosting financial support for transportation innovators and startups through Horizon Europe cluster 5 and EIT Urban Mobility. The European Innovation Council, with a EUR10bn budget, is calling on transport entrepreneurs to apply.”
Svilen Rangelov, Co-Founder and CEO of cargo drone developer and operator Dronamics said: “As Europe’s cargo drone airline, we are delighted to be part of the EU Future Mobility Taskforce, working with fellow mobility innovators and unicorns. Middle-mile deliveries by cargo drones have a significant potential for the European as well as the global economy at large, enabling faster, cheaper and green goods mobility, key to advancing the European Commission’s Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy.”
The primary goal of the EU Future Mobility Taskforce is to inform and provide guidance to EU policymakers for the next legislative mandate. The Taskforce’s first input will be a comprehensive report that encapsulates the collective insights and recommendations of its members, which will be presented to Commissioner Vălean early in 2024. This is a significant step towards shaping a future where European innovation in mobility is not only sustained but also accelerated, ensuring Europe’s continued leadership in global transport innovation. For more information visit: www.ec.europa.eu (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
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