Defence Policy: Debate. Defence Policy was debated in the House of Commons on 15 Oct 09. The Defence Secretary opened the Debate, which was closed by the Armed Forces’ Minister. Confirming the revised force level (Item 1), the Defence Secretary reiterated the conditions which are to be applied:-
* The new Afghan Government has to demonstrate its commitment to Operations in Helmand with an increase in Afghan troops.
* The UK commitment is part of an agreed approach to be shared across the Coalition.
* Military commanders are to be satisfied that the extra troops are properly equipped.
Comment: The Defence Secretary’s opening remarks contain other nuggets of information of interest to the Defence community. The Debate is recorded in ‘Hansard’ for 15 Oct 09, starting in Column 458 and with the closing observations starting at Column 538. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 10/38, 12 Oct 09)
12 Oct 09. Falkland Islands: Military Support. The Defence Secretary confirmed (12 Oct 09) that there were no Chinook or Apache helicopters stationed in the Falkland Islands. The Armed Forces’ Minister said (12 Oct 09) that there were some 1,250 Armed Forces personnel based in the South Atlantic; the majority on the Falkland Islands, supported by a small detachment on Ascension Island. There are no current plans to change the force levels.
The MoD confirmed (15 Oct 09) that four Typhoon aircraft from RAF Coningsby are taking over Quick Reaction Alert duties from four Tornado F3 of 111 Squadron RAF.
Comment: The Typhoons will form 1435 Flight following the departure of the Tornado F3s. The Tornado F3s are to be returned to the UK in chartered Antonov An-124s, prior to being taken out-of-service in 2011. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 10/38, 12 Oct 09)
Lords Hansard text for 20 Oct 2009
Armed Forces: Aircraft Carriers
Asked by Lord Moonie:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what measures have been taken to maintain aircraft carrier operating capabilities during the deployment of Joint Force Harrier on Operation Herrick in Afghanistan. [HL5667]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many aircraft from navies other than the Royal Navy have landed on Her Majesty’s ships in each of the last three years. [HL5668]
The Minister for International Defence and Security (Baroness Taylor of Bolton): While the UK Harrier force was on active service in Afghanistan, a minimum level of aircraft carrier operating capabilities was maintained through routine embarkations of UK Harrier aircraft and Harriers from other nations. In 2007, a total of 26 aircraft from the US, Spanish and Italian navies embarked on Her Majesty’s ships. These aircraft were participating in joint exercises with the UK. No such aircraft embarked in 2008 and no such embarkations are planned for 2009.
House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for 20 Oct 2009
Departmental Information Officers
Willie Rennie: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many press officers his Department has. [293994]
Mr. Kevan Jones: Currently, there are 110 Press Officers employed across the Ministry of Defence (as recorded in the Central Office of Information’s White Book). This includes civilian and military staff across the Department (including within single services) and is defined as those who directly interface with national or regional media on news issues, and in direct support of operations.
European Fighter Aircraft
Mr. Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Typhoon aircraft are expected to be mothballed after delivery to the Royal Air Force. [294484]
Mr. Kevan Jones: The term ‘mothballing’ has been taken to mean a serviceable aircraft in long-term storage and subject only to Anti-Deterioration Maintenance. There are no current plans to mothball Typhoon aircraft after delivery to the Royal Air Force.
General Richard Dannatt
Frank Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his consent was sought for su