Of note in today's Defence news is that former Army Air Corps Major Tim Peake will launch into space today, bound for the International Space Station.
Daesh
The Financial Times splashes with a story that an investigation by the paper has revealed while Syria’s oil may ostensibly be Daesh's most profitable resource, the extremist group earns at least as much from taxation, extortion and confiscation. This means, the paper says, that even if military action succeeds in cutting back its crude oil production, local revenues will keep Daesh’s economy afloat. Separately, the Daily Telegraph reports on comments made by President Barack Obama that thousands of air strikes are pushing jihadists out of territory in Iraq.
Counter-terrorism
Articles in the Daily Mail and Daily Express report comments made yesterday by Commissioner of the City of London Police Adrian Lepper, who suggested the Army would be used in the event of a Paris-style attack on the UK, to assist with “containment” in certain areas. Elsewhere, there is widespread coverage, including in the Daily Telegraph and the Daily Mail that Nadir Syed, a British-based Islamic extremist, has been found guilty of plotting a Remembrance Day beheading on the streets of Britain.
Deepcut
The Daily Mirror and short articles in the Daily Mirror, The Times and The Independent report on the case of young soldier Private Cheryl James, who died at Deepcut Barracks in 1995. Stories reference comments from Nicholas Moss, representing the MOD, who said the sheer volume of files being searched meant much time was taken up deciding which documents were relevant for the inquest. The MOD’s formal position on the inquest can be seen below.
An MOD spokesperson said:
Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of Private Cheryl James. The inquest will now be a matter for the Coroner, but we will of course continue to cooperate with and provide support to the Coroner where needed.
Rolls-Royce submarines
There is follow up today on yesterday’s Financial Times splash on Rolls-Royce’s submarine business and the potential for it to be nationalised or merged with another Defence group to safeguard work on Britain’s nuclear deterrent. Stories are carried in The Guardian, Daily Telegraph and the Times. The Government's position on this can be seen below.
A Government spokesperson said:
Rolls-Royce is a major contributor to the UK economy and is an important supplier of defence equipment to the Government. That is why we continue to work closely with the company through a range of programmes to develop its world-leading technologies and support British innovation.
Tim Peake
There is widespread coverage this morning about astronaut and former Army Air Corps Major Tim Peake, who will today launch into space on a mission bound for the International Space Station. The Daily Telegraph and Daily Mirror include comments from Defence Secretary Michael Fallon, who said it is a big moment to see a British astronaut and a former serving officer blasted off into space, adding that the whole country will be getting behind him.
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