Today sees further reporting of the Defence Secretary’s comments made in the House yesterday with coveragedebating whether military action against ISIL militants should be extended to Syria.
Corporal Stewart McLaughlin
The BBC are reporting that the family of Cpl Stewart McLaughlin will march to Downing Street today, as they continue their petition for him to be awarded with a posthumous gallantry medal for his service in the Falklands after his citation was reportedly lost.
An MOD Spokesperson said:
Our thoughts remain with the friends and family of Cpl Stewart McLaughlin.
The MOD launched an investigation into his citation last year but found no new information or any evidence that he was treated differently from the other servicemen who were considered for an award. He was one of many servicemen whose bravery was singled out by commanding officers but did not result in a gallantry medal.
Syria
A number of today’s outlets reflect comments made by the Defence Secretary yesterday in the House of Commons with regard to military action against ISIL. The Guardian, The Mirror and Daily Telegraph speculate that British air strikes could be launched against Isil terrorists in Syria as early as September and report that the renewed enthusiasm for military action in the Middle East comes after a period in which allies have criticised the UK for a lack of engagement on the global stage.
As expected the Financial Times focuses on the RAF’s capabilities reporting suggestions that the UK Governmentwould not increase the number of combat aircraft committed to the fight against ISIL in Iraq should it get a mandate to launch strikes in Syria reflects the reality that the Royal Air Force would struggle to muster much extra firepower. Our position is here:
An MOD spokesperson said:
The RAF is fully resourced to meet any future operational demands - as shown by the expansion of the Typhoon fleet and a £135 million investment which has doubled the number of Reaper aircraft.
Joint Strike Fighter
The Daily Telegraph today writes that “an extraordinary” Defence of the troubled F-35 Joint Strike Fighter has been issued by the Pentagon and Lockheed Martin, the lead company building the jet. The response came after influential military blog “War is Boring” published a story claiming the new “5th generation” jet – which Britain is buying a fleet of – was unable to beat a 1970s design F-16 “4th generation” fighter in a mock dogfight.
An MOD spokesperson said:
The F-35B is a 5th generation multi-role combat aircraft with advanced sensors, mission systems and stealth technology. It will be jointly manned by the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force and marks a step change in capability for the UK.
Tunisia
As well as wide spread reporting about today’s minute‘s silence, The Guardian reports that Tunisian authorities have detained eight people on suspicion of aiding the gunman who opened fire on the beach and are searching for two others who may be planning attacks after training with the killer in Libya. The Independent suggests that Tunisia needs military and financial support from the West to fight the ISIL-affiliated jihadists.
Image of the day
Follow us on Twitter and don’t forget to sign up for email alerts.
