In defence-related news, there is coverage following yesterday’s Arms Export Committee hearing and more on the UK’s latest activity against Daesh.
Saudi Arabia
The Guardian and The Independent report on yesterday’s Arms Export Committee hearing, which focused on Saudi Arabia and questions around UK involvement in Saudi operations in Yemen.
A MOD spokesperson said:
UK military personnel are not directly involved in Saudi-led Coalition operations, but are supporting Saudi forces in areas such as training, equipment assistance and improving communications capabilities. We are offering Saudi Arabia advice and training on best practice targeting techniques to help support continued compliance with International Humanitarian Law, but we are not involved in targeting selection or in the targeting chain.
Daesh
The Sun and the New Day report that the RAF has used its biggest “bunker buster” bombs for the first time against Daesh, taking out tunnels and bunkers dug into a hillside in Iraq. The papers say the Enhanced Paveway III was droped by RAF Tornados flying out of Akrotiri. Separately, the Daily Star carries a picture story of British forces blowing up an improvised Daesh car bomb with an anti-tank missile, while they were fighting alongside Kurdish soldiers.
Read our latest update on activity against Daesh here.
MOD immunity
The Times reports calls from MPs to end MOD immunity for Army training deaths. The article says a total of 135 Armed Forces personnel have died during training since 2000 and that the Commons Defence Committee has this week called for the MOD to be subject to corporate manslaughter charges.
A MOD spokesperson said:
The safety of our personnel is an absolute priority and, while each death is tragic, deaths in training are rare. We are grateful for the committee’s acknowledgement of how seriously we take the risks associated with training and that we are moving in the right direction. We acknowledge that more needs to be done, which is why we set up the Defence Safety Authority last year. We will now carefully consider this report and respond in due course.
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