Today’s Defence news includes continued coverage of the conflict in Syria, a look ahead to the Defence Secretary’s visitto the Falklands, and Trident.
FALKLANDS VISIT
The Mail on Sunday reports that the Foreign Office has raised concerns about the Defence Secretary’s upcoming visit to the Falkland Islands. The paper writes that Mr Fallon will become the first Defence Secretary to visit the islands for 14 years, and at a time when relations with Argentina are showing signs of thawing. An MOD source is quoted as saying, “The Defence Secretary thinks it is important to show solidarity with the 1,400 British service personnel stationed there. Mr Hammond does not have a problem with the visit.”
TRIDENT
The Sunday Times, the Sunday Telegraph, the Sunday Express and the Daily Star all report on Ash Carter’s comments that Britain must retain a nuclear deterrent if Britain wants to remain a significant global power and maintain the special relationship with the US. The Sunday Expressquotes the American Defence Secretary saying, “It’s important that the military power matches that standing and so we’re very supportive of it.”
As the Defence Secretary Michael Fallon has previously said:
Around the clock nuclear deterrent is as crucial to Britain’s defence now as it has ever been. It is the ultimate guarantee of the nation’s security.
We use our nuclear deterrent every day to deter a nuclear attack, nuclear blackmail and extreme threats that cannot be countered by any other means.
You can read more about the Successor programme here.
SYRIA
The Independent on Sunday reports that Turkey has been shelling Kurdish fighters in Syria's Aleppo province as regime forces backed by Russian air strikes continue to make gains against rebels. The paper writes that the Turkish military claimed that it was fired on by artillery from Azaz, which is close to the Turkish border. The Observer writes that Russia's grip on Syria has tightened as the ceasefire deal leaves US out in the cold.
IMAGE OF THE DAY
Image created by SAC Gina Edgcumbe
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