Today the MOD and employers across the country are celebrating the huge contribution made by Reservists from all three Services. Secretary of State Michael Fallon thanked Reservists at an event at Admiralty House yesterday. You can read more here.
Also of note for Defence this morning are calls from former Chief of the Defence Staff, Lord Richards for a more concerted effort to tackle ISIL. There is continued coverage of the issue of defence spending and a look ahead to today’s NATO Defence Ministerial meeting.
Reserves Day
This morning the Daily Express reports that thousands of Reservists will shrug off the threat of attacks by wearing their uniforms to work today as part of celebrations of Reserves Day, formerly Uniform to Work Day. The article reports that Reservists make up around 16 per cent of the Armed Forces and are currently serving in Afghanistan, Northern Iraq, Cyprus, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Throughout the piece, serving Reservists highlight the training and great experiences that the Reserves offers.
Minister for the Reserves, Julian Brazier said:
Reservists are a vital part of our Armed Forces and play a huge role in protecting the nation's security at home and overseas. We are indebted to these men and women who give up their spare time to serve in the Reserve Forces so that should their country need them they are ready to serve; anywhere, anytime.
Reserves Day is an opportunity for all to recognise and celebrate the work of the Reserve Forces and the individuals themselves. We are extraordinarily proud of our Reservists, and it's important we tell them that and show them our support on this day.
Major General Chris Tickell, Director General of the Army Recruiting and Training division, said:
Employers across Britain have already recognised the many benefits of encouraging their staff to join the Army Reserve, so this is a fantastic way for them to show their support.
We know that Reserves benefit from outstanding leadership training, and are focused, driven and enthusiastic about furthering their careers. Part time Reserves not only stand out in a competitive jobs market, they are highly valued by their civilian employers.
The paper also encourages readers to give anyone wearing their uniform a pat on the back.
ISIL
The Daily Telegraph and The Times carry articles based on an interview with former Chief of the Defence Staff Lord Richards, who says that Britain must stop “sleep-walking” and prepare to tackle Islamic extremism as seriously as it planned for the Second World War. He adds that extremism poses a “real threat” to the world and condemns politicians who are reluctant to lead the way. He also warns that ISIL militants will wreak a “hell of a lot of damage” in the coming years. Lord Richards concludes that despite our Armed Forces being experienced and capable, and despite the fact that leading the fight against ISIL would send a powerful message to the world about the UK, there is a “lack of political resolve” for us to engage.
Read more about the leading role the UK is playing in the counter-ISIL Global Coalition.
NATO
There is widespread coverage that the US is to place 250 tanks, artillery pieces, and fighting vehicles in seven eastern European countries as a bulwark against Russian aggression. US Defence Secretary Ash Carter, has accused Russia of wanting to “turn back the clock” in Europe, and the US will contribute special forces units, artillery and logistic support to the 5,000-strong rapid reaction force being developed by NATO to deal with the crisis in eastern Europe.
You can read more about the extension of the UK contribution to the NATO Rapid Reaction Force here.
The Financial Times looks ahead to today’s defence ministerial in Brussels, saying the meeting today will inject a new life into NATO and that the alliance is rightly making deterrence against Russia its core role. The piece adds that whilst Britain is continuing to meet the 2 per cent NATO spending target, we will fall well below by the end of the decade, and this “failure” must be addressed by David Cameron’s Government.
You can read more about our response to the latest NATO defence spending figures here.
Defence Spending
Both The Financial Times and The Times feature a report released by think tank Civitas today, which says that military equipment projects such as the new Queen Elizabeth aircraft carriers and Eurofighter Typhoon jets have hollowed out the British Defence industry and warped the capabilities of the Armed Forces. The stories add that the report suggests current thinking is out of step with Britain’s realities and “positively dangerous”, and that moving to an adaptable force structure in the coming years demands a revolution in the UK’s thinking and approach to Defence acquisition.
Neither paper approached the MOD for comment, and you can read our full response here.
Cpl Nichola Harrison (31) of 253 Provost Company Royal Military Police (RMP) has been in the TA for 4 and a half years and is most recently returned from deploying to Iraq on OP TELIC 9, and intends to become an officer.
Nichola has worked as the Health and Safety officer at Battersea Dogs and Cats Home in London for 3 years.
Liz McWalter, her colleague, is the Senior Intake and Assessing Co-ordinator at the well known institution.
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