Among today’s stories is Prince Harry’s speech at the Invictus Games opening ceremony, and the tragic news of the death of a soldier in Wales.
INVICTUS GAMES
The Invictus Games for wounded, sick and injured personnel and veterans begins today in Orlando, Florida. Sky News is this morning running with comments made by Prince Harry at the opening ceremony, in which he praised inspirational service personnel who overcome mental illness as well as physical injuries.
Prince Harry said:
It is not just physical injuries that our Invictus competitors have overcome. Every single one of them will have confronted tremendous emotional and mental challenges. When we give a standing ovation to the competitor with the missing limbs, let's also cheer our hearts out for the man who overcame anxiety so severe he couldn't leave his house. Let's cheer for the woman who fought through post-traumatic stress and let's celebrate the soldier who was brave enough to get help for his depression. To those of you watching at home and who are suffering from mental illness in silence - whether a veteran or a civilian, a mum or a dad, a teenager or a grandparent - I hope you see the bravery of our Invictus champions who have confronted invisible injuries, and I hope you are inspired to ask for the help that you need.
Read more about the Invictus Games here.
BRECON DEATH
Most of this morning’s newspapers, including the Daily Telegraph, Daily Express and Sun, cover the death of a soldier from the Royal Gibraltar Regiment yesterday following an incident in Brecon. It is being reported that a 23-year-old man was last night arrested on suspicion of murder.
The MOD issued the following statement yesterday.
It is with great sadness and regret that the MOD can confirm a soldier from The Royal Gibraltar Regiment died in Brecon in the early hours of this morning. Dyfed-Powys Police are currently investigating and it would therefore be inappropriate to comment further on the circumstances. Our thoughts are with his family and friends and the Regiment asks that their privacy is respected at this difficult time.
AJAX
Over the weekend, Business media reported that family owned company, Cook Defence Systems, has won a £30m contract to make parts for the army’s new AJAX Vehicles. In September 2014, the Ministry of Defence placed a £3.5 billion order for 589 new AJAX armoured fighting vehicles, which will be assembled, integrated and tested in Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales by General Dynamics Land Systems-UK. This track contract places Cook as an important part of the UK supply chain for General Dynamics Land Systems UK and will help to sustain 100 jobs at the company. Cooks recycle steel to produce the track using their on-site steel foundry.
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said:
This company has a long and proud tradition of providing track for British armoured vehicles, having done so since the Second World War.
This contract follows on from the £70 million I announced when I visited William Cook group last year. It is part of our £178 billion equipment plan, backed by a growing Defence budget.
Today’s Mirror also reports on AJAX, reporting that 100 of the Army’s new armoured vehicles will be fully manufactured and assembled in Spain. The hulls of the other 489 will also be built there before being shipped to Merthyr Tydfil for completion.
A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said:
The UK government is determined to see as many MOD projects designed, built and manufactured here in the UK. The AJAX programme alone is sustaining 2,800 jobs across the country at more than 210 companies across the UK supply chain.
The manufacturing and Assembly, Integration and Testing (AIT) processes for AJAX have been agreed with GDUK, the prime contractor, to ensure that the British Army receives the capability it deserves.
An extensive UK supply chain is involved in the AIT activity at Merthyr Tydfil, including Lockheed Martin UK (LMUK) who are delivering a world-leading turret for the Ajax variant, providing significant improvements in combat capability, survivability and operational effectiveness for British soldiers, and Thales, based in Glasgow, who will be providing the Primary and Secondary Sights for AJAX.
UK suppliers have made a significant and valuable contribution to the supply of steel for our major defence equipment programmes. Steel for our major equipment programmes has been and continues to be sourced from a range of UK and international suppliers.
The steel sourced for AJAX so far is a form of specialist steel, which UK manufacturers were not able to provide. However, there remains a competition to be completed for the fabrication of modular armour for AJAX, which UK manufacturers will have every opportunity to bid for.
MERCHANT NAVY
The Daily Telegraph, Daily Mirror and Sun follow up yesterday’s Mail on Sunday article claiming that Merchant Navy officer Ali Alosaimi has fled to Syria to join Daesh.
ARMED FORCES FITNESS
There is further reporting by The Times, Sun and Daily Mail covering figures released under Freedom of Information showing that more than 270 members of the Armed Forces have been prescribed diet pills in the last two years. Meanwhile it is also reported that at least 20 personnel have received liposuction, according to the figures.
A MOD spokesperson said:
It is a condition of service that our personnel must be fit and healthy and the vast majority pass regular, challenging fitness tests.
All Armed Forces personnel are educated in nutrition, diet and exercise while prevention measures help individuals maintain a healthy weight. In some circumstances additional measures may be considered in order to achieve this.
IMAGE OF THE DAY
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