Today’s defence news covers issues including Trident, Army recruitment and the recent Bloody Sunday arrest.
TRIDENT
The Times reports claims that the Chancellor, George Osborne, wants a new body to be established that will report to the Treasury on the project to build the next generation of the UK’s nuclear submarines. A Government statement is carried in the Times and is below.
A Government spokesperson said:
While we are not prepared to comment on the contents of a leaked document, the Government remains committed to maintaining a continuous at sea deterrent, and to replacing the current Vanguard class of nuclear armed submarines with four Successor submarines.
In another article, The Times reports that it is easier to put a man on the moon than build a nuclear submarine. The article uses infographics to explain the nuclear deterrent boat and how the Trident II missiles work. The article goes into how the projects are run in the MOD and Defence Equipment and Support, including industry and defence source quotes.
BLOODY SUNDAY
The Daily Telegraph reports on its front page that a group of ex-paratroopers have launched a legal bid to challenge the PSNI murder investigation into Bloody Sunday. The article reports that seven former soldiers have begun High Court action looking to get a Judicial Review into the way PSNI is conducting the inquiry.
The Daily Express, Independent and Guardian report that the former soldier arrested over the 1972 Bloody Sunday killings was released on bail last night. Reports include a statement from the PSNI saying that he has been released on bail pending further enquiries.
ARMY RECRUITMENT
The Sun runs an article on Army recruitment stating that with University graduate applications falling, the Army is looking for the best of the working class to bolster the force. It states that people were unaware the Army were recruiting and of the starting salary and fast promotions.
The high-tech careers road show called ‘With heart. With mind’ is referenced and Major General Paul Nanson, Commandant of Sandhurst, is quoted saying that there are misconceptions about the background of Army officers being elitist. He continued saying that 50% of Army Officers come from comprehensive school backgrounds and that they hope the careers campaign will demonstrate the highly skilled career on offer. A case study is included from Captain Paddy Pratt, an Adjutant in the Royal Irish.
SAUDI ARABIA
The Times claims that British arms exports to Saudi Arabia could be halted if investigations reveal the country has broken international humanitarian law during its military campaign in Yemen. The article holds comment from Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond where he states that the Saudis deny there have been any breeches of humanitarian law but has said that a full investigation is needed into he claims. The article says that Mr Hammond stated he was aware that British weapons were being used in Yemen but said that fact alone did not breach British law.
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