There is further reporting on the extension of the RAF Tornado fleet in today’s Defence news.
RAF ground attack capability
The Financial Times (paywall) writes that the extension of the squadron of Tornado ground attack aircraft conducting air strikes against ISIL underlines that the Royal Air Force is stretched after years of Defence savings. It is reported that the Defence Secretary rejected the suggestion that the decision was due to overstretch which has left the Tornado as the only aircraft capable of precision air strikes needed for a counter-insurgency role. General Sir Nicholas Houghton, Chief of the Defence Staff, is quoted as saying recently that the RAF was “at the very limits” of fast jet availability and capacity.
Our story on the service extension of the RAF Tornado squadron leading the air campaign against ISIL can be read here.
We have previously outlined our position on the RAF’s current and future fast jet capabilities, which is below:
An MOD spokesperson said:
The RAF has and will have the aircraft it needs to meet its commitments around the world, whether that’s conducting Tornado air strikes against ISIL in Iraq, policing Baltic air space and securing the skies over the UKholas and in Falkland Islands with Typhoon jets, or providing vital surveillance over Syria with Reaper flights. Tough decisions were made during the last Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) to rationalise our fast jet forces into two advanced and efficient fleets and we continue to assess future requirements ahead of this year’s SDSR, which is supported by our £160bn equipment programme that will deliver the fifth-generation Lightning II joint strike fighter.
Calais migrants
The Times (paywall) reports that up to 30 soldiers, acting as traffic marshals, are being lined up to help tackle the “Channel Tunnel crisis” in Kent and that a number of dogs are also on standby. The paper writes that the small team is ready to direct lorry drivers, stacked up in queues on the M20, to a disused airport that will serve as a temporary lorry park. A Defence source is quoted as saying that the Department for Transport has yet to officially request the assistance of troops but the army "are prudent planners".
Legion D'Honneur medals
In a News in Brief, The Express reports that D-Day veterans promised France's highest bravery honour are still waiting for their medals due to red tape as only 200-250 of the 2,800 who applied via the Ministry of Defence have received their awards. The paper suggests that the delay is being blamed on bureaucracy.
The MOD’s statement, that some cases are being fast tracked and that the department hopes the bulk of cases will be cleared by the end of the year, is included in the story.
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