Sky News, BBC News and the Today Programme all report that HMS Richmond will be offered to the EU mission to tackle people smugglers at their source.
They report that in the latest stage of the mission, it is envisioned that the Type 23 Frigate will join HMS Enterprise and help seize boats as her primary role rather than large scale search and rescue. The Today Programme also reports on comments made by the Chief of the Defence Staff at Chatham House last night, that parliamentary and public reluctance to use military forces could emboldened our enemies.
The Daily Mail continues its front page coverage of the Marine A case with the suggestion that military officials have snubbed the wife of Sgt Blackman, who was jailed for killing a Taliban insurgent, by providing her with a heavily redacted version of a report that could potentially exonerate him.
HMS Richmond
Sky News, the Today Programme, BBC News, the Times, Telegraph, Sun and Express all report that Britain will offer a warship with 200 sailors and Royal Marines for Europe's first offensive mission against people smugglers in Libya driving the migrant crisis. They report that HMS Richmond, equipped with a Lynx helicopter and surveillance drone, is set to assist the operation in international waters between North Africa and the Italian coast from next month until mid-December. It is has also been stated that HMS Enterprise will also stay for longer as the EU mission prepares to move into a second, more combative phase. The Secretary of State’s quote is carried in a number of papers and images of the Secretary of State’s visit to HMS Bulwark are running as part of the BBC News package and can be seen below in full.
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said:
The vital work of HMS Bulwark, HMS Enterprise and our Merlin helicopters shows the UK’s commitment to tackling the refugee crisis at source.
The Royal Navy has rescued thousands of people from peril but we’ve been clear we have to tackle the gangs behind this, which is why it’s important the mission moves to the next phase.
We will not stand by and let this smuggling trade escalate; we will confront this criminal activity which risks the lives of innocent people every day.
DSEI
The Telegraph looks ahead to the Secretary of State’s speech at DSEI today, reporting that the Armed Forces will be at the forefront of promoting British defence export campaigns, aimed at boosting the UK’s share of the global defence market. The paper reports that the Defence Secretary will also sound a call to arms, urging industry to ‘seize the day’ to increase exports, encouraging innovative SMEs, while also calling for greater efficiencies from the MOD itself.
Marine A
The Daily Mail reports on accusations from Claire Blackman, the wife of former Royal Marine Sgt Alexander Blackman, who last night criticised military chiefs and the MOD after she received a redacted summary of the internal review into his case rather than the full report.
A redacted version of the Royal Navy’s comprehensive internal review’s executive summary, recommendations and terms of reference was published on the GOV.uk website this morning. The redactions made cover information considered sensitive from an operational, security and personal perspective. Our full statement on the this case can be seen below.
A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said:
The MOD followed and supported the legal process throughout. This involved a full criminal investigation and a court martial where witnesses were called by both the independent Service Prosecution Authority and defence counsel. We respect the authority and decision of the court and would, of course, co-operate fully with any future legal process. It would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.
Military intervention
The Daily Telegraph reports on words from the Chief of the General Staff General Sir Nicholas Houghton at Chatham House last night that parliament's reluctance to authorise military action overseas in places such as Syria, coupled with regular challenges against troops' conduct, could embolden aggressive states. The paper reports that he said that if the world believed Britain was now prepared to engage in military action only in a last-resort case of national survival, it would lose its power to deter others. However, Sir Nicholas made it clear that this was not an exclusive problem, but also faced by other western powers
Navy ship defence
The Guardian, Telegraph and Times all report on words from First Sea Lord Admiral Sir George Zambellas at his speech at DSEI that Britain will begin testing its first military laser gun on land within two years and at sea by the end of the decade. The papers report that scientists at the defence science and technology laboratory are working with the military to develop the weapon, which is already operational on US warships.
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