Making news today, Japan marks the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, and the Malaysian Prime Minister has confirmed aircraft wreckage found last week in the Indian Ocean is from Flight MH370.
Type 26 warships
The Times and The Daily Telegraph report on the Type 26 Global Combat Ship, construction of which is due to begin next year. At a media event held by BAE Systems, Geoff Searle, Type 26 Global Combat Ship Programme Director said that cyber attacks pose a threat to warships of the future, but that the ship was designed to withstand such attacks. The articles include the fact that the MOD has yet to sign the manufacture contract with BAE Systems to build the fleet of 13 Type 26 frigates to replace the Type 23s, which are due to be withdrawn from 2020 onwards. The price tag of £250m per ship included in the articles is purely speculative and it is noted that the MOD is yet to agree a price for the vessels.
At the BAE Systems event, it was also announced that the company has awarded the first equipment manufacturing contracts for the Type 26 ships, worth in excess of £170m. With the contracts awarded to eight companies in the supply chain, there are now more than 1,250 people across the UK working on the programme to deliver the Royal Navy’s next generation warships.
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said:
The new Type 26 global combat ships will be amongst the most advanced anywhere in the world, ensuring that the Royal Navy keeps Britain safe. They are the next part of our £163 billion equipment plan, supported by a rising defence budget. They will create and protect jobs across the United Kingdom.
US strikes in Syria
It is reported that the US military launched its first air strike in northern Syria from Turkey on Monday, according to the Pentagon, ahead of what Ankara has said would soon be a “comprehensive battle” against ISIL. American armed unmanned aircraft began flying from Incirlik last weekend, but criticism has been levelled at its training programme for Syrian moderate opposition fighters after the few fighters who completed the programme have faced setbacks in battles with extremist groups.
The Daily Telegraph highlights issues with the US train and equip programme, after a group of US-trained Syrian moderate opposition fighters called Division 30 defied the Pentagon to declare they will fight against the Assad regime, rather than limiting their action to fighting ISIL terrorists as required by the US programme.
Image of the day
![Photo Caption: -The United States Air Force Honour Guard during their show-stopping manoeures and complex weapons exchanges at today's working rehearsal. ROYAL EDINBURGH MILITARY TATTOO WORKING REHEARSAL The Working Rehearsal for the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo took place at Redford Barracks today [Wednesday, 5th August]. The performers carried out a full run-through of the show in their working dress (uniforms, tracksuits etc) but there was an exclusive first photocall with the People's Liberation Army of China, and the Changxing Lotus Dragon Dance Folklore Group, who were in full uniform for the event. The Pipes and Drums of the Scottish Regiments, The Gurkhas, the Royal Air Force, and from all over the Commonwealth and the United States also played together in public for the first time. They performed in front of members of the south Edinburgh community, including pensioners groups and youth projects, who were invited to the barracks for the day. ENDS For Further information on the event, please contact The Army Press Office on 0131 310 2611 / 0131 310 2092](https://modmedia.blog.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/142/2015/08/Tat-050815-3971.jpg)