There are several reports in today’s Defence-related news about the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme. BBC Radio 4 played music from the vigil rehearsals, Sky spoke to veterans’ grandchildren and BBC News used imagery from Thiepval to preview the commemorations. There is also reporting on the arrival of the first F-35B to the UK.
Lightning II arrival
There are reports in The Telegraph online, The Guardian and Daily Mail that Britain's new £70m stealth fighter has arrived in the UK for the first time. A British F-35B aircraft arrived at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, accompanied by two US Marine counterparts after a nine hour transatlantic crossing. The Daily express includes reference to the aircraft in a broader piece on the Defence Secretary’s comments at the RUSI Land Power Conference yesterday that Britain will stay a world power, “shoulder to shoulder” with the US.
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said:
The F-35Bs are the most advanced fast jets in the world. Whether operating from land or from one of our two new aircraft carriers, they will ensure we have a formidable fighting force.
They are part of our plan for a stronger and better defence: more ships, more aircraft, more troops available at readiness, better equipment for special forces, more being spent on cyber – to deal with the increased threats to our country.
Read more about the arrival in our news story here.
The Somme
There is widespread coverage on broadcast and in print this morning ahead of the 100-year anniversary of the Battle of the Somme, including feature pieces on Sky News and BBC Breakfast. Looking back at the battle, coverage pays tribute to the 20,000 British Empire soldiers who lost their lives on the first day at the Somme. Reporting notes that the Queen will lead Somme commemorations in the UK at an evening Vigil tonight at Westminster Abbey.
The Daily Telegraph carries a comment piece by General Sir Nicholas Carter commemorating the Battle of the Somme, in the article he states that the First World War – and the number of casualties sustained at the Somme especially – obliges us to think hard about how to prepare the Army today, to fight the sort of war it may have to fight because in so doing we stand a better chance of deterring that war from happening. He concludes by stating that as we commemorate those who fought in the battle of the Somme he hopes that we will also find time to reflect on what we might learn from their unique experiences.
Aerospace and Defence industry
Britain’s aerospace and defence industries have each racked up another year of growth according to new data from industry trade association ADS Group reported in The Daily Telegraph and The Daily Mail. The articles report that the defence sector recorded a £200m rise in turnover to £23.8bn and employment in the two industries reached 270,000, with the defence industry supporting a total of 111,000 jobs linked to the sector. Articles state that industry claims leaving the EU could blow a hole in their performance, with the possibility of new tariffs making exports less attractive.
Stormshadow
The Daily Telegraph reports that Syrian rebels waging a new offensive trying to cut a major supply line between Daesh militants in Iraq and Syria have been ambushed. Tornados from Akrotiri in Cyprus on Sunday fired Storm Shadow cruise missiles for the first time in Britain’s anti Daesh campaign in the run up to the attack and yesterday continued to fly missions to back the rebels. You can read more about the Royal Air Force air strikes against Daesh, including the use of Stormshadow here.
Image of the Day
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