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Defence in the media

https://modmedia.blog.gov.uk/2016/07/12/defence-in-the-media-12-july-2016/

Defence in the Media: 12 July 2016

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Articles of defence interest this morning include reporting on yesterdays Farnborough announcements and new access to student loans for families of members of the Armed Forces serving overseas.Farnborough

There is pick up in the newspapers today on announcements made at the Farnborough International Airshow in Hampshire yesterday. The FTDaily Express, Daily Star, Independent and various Scottish newspapers carry yesterday’s story that the Government signed two deals for new aircraft worth £4.7bn with Boeing. Attending the opening of Farnborough air show, Michael Fallon, the Defence Secretary, confirmed a deal to purchase nine new P-8A Poseidon surveillance aircraft, part of a £3bn package to develop Britain’s maritime patrol capability, and 50 new Apache attack helicopters for the British Army, worth £1.7bn.

Apache helicopters

The Times suggests that the fall of the pound against the dollar will mean an increase to the cost of the Apache helicopters. The article states that while the new aircraft would be built in the United States, contracts for support and training were expected to create 350 jobs in Britain.

An MOD Spokesperson said:

This off the shelf option offers the best value for money by taking advantage of an established production line to give our Armed Forces the cutting edge capability they need.

You can read more about the announcements made at Farnborough International Airshow in the links below:

Military families overseas given access to student loans 

The Telegraph reports on plans to change student funding rules to benefit military families who want to take up distance learning courses while posted abroad. The move will put an end to rules that prevent armed forces personnel and their family members getting access to student funding for distance learning courses because they are not based in the UK.

Defence Minister Mark Lancaster said:

It wasn’t fair on the armed forces community that, when posted abroad to serve our nation, they were not able to access the same funding for distance learning as people who live in the UK. That is why I am delighted that this government is removing that disadvantage, enabling these people to fulfil their ambitions. This is another example of our commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant which is a promise from the nation to ensure our service personnel and their families are treated fairly.

A U.S. Army AH-64E Apache helicopter, assigned to 16th Combat Aviation Brigade, 7th Infantry Division, provides aerial support to ground forces during Bellator Stakes 2016 at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., May 12, 2016. Bellator Stakes is an annual exercise conducted by 46th ASB, which provides 16th CAB’s sustainers an opportunity to hone tactical and technical skills in a field environment.
AH-64E Apache helicopter. Cant Brian Harris, Department of Defence.

 

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