A variety of Defence stories feature in today's news, including the RAF's interception of Russian jets, Service Accommodation and Virtus body armour.
Russia
Further coverage of the RAF interception of Russian jets approaching Estonia appears in The Guardian, with the paper saying it’s the second occurrence within a week.
You can read more about the story here.
Virtue Body Armour
BBC Radio One Newsbeat reports that the Army have been experiencing problems with its new body armour.
An MOD Spokesperson said:
Virtus is one of the most advanced integrated body armour and load carriage systems in the world and we have received broadly positive feedback from our personnel. As with every new system there have been some issues during the initial roll out, and, as a result of constructive feedback from our troops, we are working with the supplier to make improvements.
The Virtus system is widely regarded as a significant improvement on its predecessor, and we encourage feedback from our soldiers to ensure the equipment is fit for purpose and have conducted extensive and rigorous trials with soldiers prior to fielding the system. We have received some constructive feedback related to an number of elements of the system; as a result of the feedback adjustments are being made.
Shirreff Book
Reporting appears of former Army General Richard Shirreff’s new book in The Daily Mail, The Times and The Independent, in which he criticises defence cuts.
An MOD spokesperson said:
We are the biggest defence spender in Europe with a budget that will rise every year of this decade. No NATO country other than the US can project power like we can.
Army Video
The Mirror reports that “furious troops” have “slammed” an Army video which shows military housing as clean, organised and well-maintained. It is reported that the video – made by Capita – appears on the Army jobs Facebook page and shows Tidworth Camp in Wiltshire.
An MOD spokesperson said:
The MOD recognises the importance of providing decent living standards in maintaining morale throughout the force including families and, despite financial challenges, continues to invest and target efforts on the most pressing accommodation issues.
Iraq Fatalities Investigation
The Guardian writes that a judicial investigation will examine whether a number of Iraqi civilians drowned following the 2003 invasion as a consequence of British troops adopting a policy of throwing suspected looters into rivers while the Daily Mail and The Sun look at four soldiers cleared of manslaughter ten years ago.
A MOD spokesperson said:
This was a grave incident in which a teenage boy died quite unnecessarily. Although there will be no further prosecution, lessons must be learnt and the next of kin and the public are entitled to as full an account of what happened as possible. That is the purpose of Sir George Newman’s investigation, which is taking place as a result of an order of the High Court.
The armed forces played a major role in the pomp and ceremony that is part of the State Opening of Parliament, which took place today. In all, 1308 members of the Armed Forces and 217 horses were on public show in a variety of ceremonial roles.
The State Opening of Parliament is one of the most colourful events in the London Ceremonial calendar when all elements of the Armys Household Division, and other elements of the Armed Forces, line the streets and escort Her Majesty The Queens procession from Buckingham Palace to the House of Lords.
The State Opening marks the formal start of the next parliamentary session. The primary purpose of this colourful tradition is to set out the government's legislative agenda to both Houses of Parliament in the Queen's Speech.
Military units taking part this year were The Kings Troop Royal Horse Artillery, the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, 1st Battalion Irish Guards, Nijmegen Company Grenadier Guards, Number 7 Company Coldstream Guards, F Company Scots Guards, 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards, Honourable Artillery Company, the Royal Air Force, the Royal Navy, The Royal Artillery Band, Band of the Grenadier Guards, Band of the Coldstream Guards, Band of the Scots Guards, Band of the Irish Guards, Band of the Welsh Guards, with 10 Signal Regiment in support.
The Processional Route was by way of The Mall, Horse Guards Road, on to Horse Guards Parade Square, along Whitehall ending at Parliament Street.
Photographer: Sergeant Rupert Frere RLC
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