Of interest for Defence in today’s news are reports that UK troops have been deployed to Helmand Province to help local forces, as reports suggest the Taliban is threatening Sangin.
AFGHANISTAN
The Times reports that British and American special forces were fighting last night in Sangin. The paper claims at least one British SAS unit of about 30 soldiers has joined the battle. Separately, it says a unit of about 300 regular US and British troops has been sent to advise Afghan forces.
An MOD spokesperson said:
As part of the UK’s ongoing contribution to NATO’s Resolute Support Mission, a small number of UK personnel have deployed to Camp Shorabak in Helmand Province in an advisory role. These personnel are part of a larger NATO team, which is providing advice to the Afghan National Army. They are not deployed in a combat role and will not deploy outside the camp. In total the UK has around 450 troops in Afghanistan mentoring and supporting the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces and the Afghan Security Ministries.
NIGERIA
Various papers report on yesterday’s announcement that the UK is to more than double the number of British troops providing training and advice to the Nigerian army to 300, in its fight against the Islamist extremist group Boko Haram. The Defence Secretary, was in Nigeria yesterday to meet its president Muhammadu Buhari.
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said:
Boko Haram is a brutal organisation that has murdered and kidnapped innocent civilians. We stand united with Nigeria in its efforts to defeat them. Stepping up our training efforts will help prepare the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) for crucial counter-insurgency operations.
SAME-SEX MARRIAGE
An article in The Daily Telegraph claims incorrectly that church leaders have been ordered to allow same-sex marriages in military chapels. The paper says that Defence Minister Penny Mordaunt has written to military chaplains after churches using the chapels refused to allow the ceremonies. According to the article, the move comes 18 months after regulations were passed to allow same-sex marriages in the 190 military chapels in England and Wales. The MOD supports same-sex marriage and is committed to ensuring that couples are not disadvantaged by their service. However, as in the civilian world, it is not permitted to perform same-sex marriages in a church.
In a recent Parliamentary Question, the Minister for the Armed Forces, Penny Mordaunt set out that the MOD is asking the chaplaincy how, if at all, same sex marriages could be implemented given the position of the churches. The full PQ response can be seen below:
There are 190 military chapels in England and Wales registered for marriages under the rites of Church of England or otherwise, as described under sections 69 and 70 of the 1949 Marriage Act. The Ministry of Defence allows same-sex marriages in military chapels, but none of the Sending Churches using the chapels currently allows same-sex marriages to be conducted there. I have asked the Chaplaincies of the three Services to advise me on how Parliament's sanction of same sex-marriages may be fully implemented.
P-8 POSEIDON
According to The Mirror the MOD has ordered nine spy planes that the RAF won’t be able to refuel in mid-air. The paper writes that this means the P-8A Poseidons, could be forced to turn back during missions as they need a top-up every four hours.
An MOD spokesperson said:
The P-8 was selected because it will provide the capability we need in the timescale we require. It has sufficient fuel capacity to conduct its primary missions without the need for air to air refuelling.
DAESH
The Times reports that Islamic State has “tens of thousands” of blank passports to help it smuggle fighters into Europe, western intelligence officers have warned. It is reported that the group has amassed stolen passports from Syria, Iraq and Libya, as well as blank documents and passport printing machines.
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