Today’s defence news includes comments made by President Obama yesterday that both the US and UK would take action to ensure Daesh could not build a new 'stronghold' in Libya.
CLYDESIDE JOBS
The Guardian and The National report that there could be up to 800 redundancies from Clydeside shipyards. According to reports, union representatives were told by BAE Systems that a "worst-case scenario" of 800 redundancies was possible if the UK government pulled back from its commitment to the manufacture of eight Type-26 frigates on the Clyde.
A MOD spokesperson said:
The Government is committed to building ships on the Clyde and to the Type 26 programme. Over the next decade, we will spend around £8 billion on Royal Navy warships. As set out in the Strategic Defence and Security Review, we will build two new Offshore Patrol Vessels on the Clyde, maintaining Scottish shipbuilding capability ahead of the start of the Type 26 build. We will also consult with Industry and Trade Unions as part of the National Shipbuilding Strategy, which will set the UK shipbuilding industry on a sustainable footing for the future.
LIBYA
The FT suggests that the US and UK are both "desperately" keen to ensure the new Libyan government of national unity succeeds following comments made by President Barack Obama during his visit to Britain. The American President said both countries – and other partners – would take action to ensure Daesh could not build a new "stronghold" from which to launch attacks against western targets. Speaking at a press conference in Downing Street he said he had discussed the situation in Tripoli with the Prime Minister during the pair's bilateral discussions in London.
ALLIES
The Daily Star reports that the Defence Secretary, Michael Fallon, has said that the UK will never again go to war alone. The paper suggests that following cuts to the size of the Armed Forces questions have been raised about the UK’s ability to fight its own conflict. However, the Secretary of State insisted that the UK would remain strong by working with our Allies, with greater inter-operability between European nations, but that this did not equate to an EU army. The Defence Secretary was speaking from Exercise Griffin Strike, the largest ever joint military exercise between the UK and France on Salisbury Plain.
TERRORISM
The majority of papers carry reports following the sentencing for life of two ‘home-grown’ terrorists, Tarik Hassane and Suhaib Majeed, who plotted to kill soldiers, police and civilians in Daesh-inspired terror attacks.
IMAGE OF THE DAY
Tidworth based 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers (1RRF) marked the presentation of their new colours, when His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent inspected the troops and presented 1RRF with their new Colours at Tidworth Polo Ground, Wiltshire, on Saturday 23 April 2016.
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