Broadcast headlines report that France is to conduct air, land and sea searches in and around the island of Reunion in the hope of finding more debris which could be linked to MH370. The front pages of The Daily Telegraph, Daily Mail and Daily Express focus on the continuing migrant crisis continues with speculation that the Channel Tunnel could be closed at night if the situation in Calais does not improve.
Veteran treatment
The Daily Telegraph reports that badly wounded Afghanistan veterans are being left for months with ill-fitting and poor quality prosthetic limbs because of NHS delays. One wounded soldier who competed in the Invictus Games for injured veterans has been wheelchair-bound for eight months while waiting for his limbs to be fitted. Clive Smith, who lost both his legs in 2010 while on a Helmand mine-clearing patrol, said: "The MOD takes really good care of injured veterans - they have it down to a fine art. The NHS just doesn't provide the same level of care.”
Our position on the issue is outlined below.
A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said:
While we cannot comment on individual cases, the Government places great importance on the health and wellbeing of our Armed Forces. We are clear that veterans should not be disadvantaged as a result of their service and we are absolutely committed to supporting them. Close cooperation between MOD and the relevant NHS providers ensures that there is effective transition to local public health care providers for the care of wounded, injured and sick Service leavers. Last year alone the Government awarded over £100m through the Armed Forces Covenant to schemes that benefit personnel, veterans and Armed Forces families.
Indian Air Force
The Independent reports on India’s claims they reportedly ‘humiliated‘ the cream of the RAF during a two-week exercise which offered British pilots a rare chance to go up against some of the latest Russian-designed fighter jets. The article states that Exercise Indradhanush saw the Indian Air Force (IAF) bring four of its fleet of Russian-designed SU-30MKI Flanker fighter aircraft to RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire to face off against the RAF’s Typhoon FGR4 fighter. Reportedly, the RAF’s Indian counterparts publically claimed to have come away from the exercise with a resounding 12-0 victory against their UK opponents. An RAF source is quoted in the piece saying that the Indian claims were “clearly designed for a domestic audience“.
As you would expect, advanced military capabilities are rarely operated to the limits of their potential, especially when exercising against other nations' aircraft. This exercise was no exception for the Typhoon Force.
A spokesperson for the RAF said:
Our analysis does not match what has been reported, RAF pilots and the Typhoon performed well throughout the exercise with and against the Indian Air Force. Both forces learnt a great deal from the exercise and the RAF look forward to the next opportunity to train alongside the IAF.
Image of the day
On her first official visit to Gibraltar since taking up post, Minister for the Armed Forces Penny Mordaunt met with various Service personnel stationed at the UK Overseas Territory. As part of a familiarisation visit she held discussions with His Excellency the Governor, Sir James Dutton, Chief Minister Mr Fabian Picardo via video link, and Deputy Chief Minister Dr Joseph Garcia. She is also due to meet personnel from the Royal Navy Gibraltar Squadron who contribute to demonstrating sovereignty over the territorial waters.
She was given a tour of the 'Rock' then updated on various topics led by Commander British Forces Gibraltar Commodore Ian McGhie in addition to meeting personnel from the Royal Gibraltar Regiment, Royal Air Force, Gibraltar Defence Police and the Royal Navy.
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