There is widespread reporting today that a soldier has died while on pre-course training for the Platoon Sergeants’ Battle Course in the Brecon area of south Wales.
Defence Minister Mike Penning said:
It is with great sadness that I can confirm that an Infantry soldier has died in Brecon while conducting pre-course training before attending the Platoon Sergeants’ Battle Course. The safety of our personnel is our absolute priority and, while deaths in training are rare, any death is a tragedy. As well as a police investigation, a Service Inquiry will take place. My thoughts and prayers are with the soldier’s family, friends, and colleagues at this difficult time.
Other defence related news include a report about animal testing at Porton Down and continued coverage of the vote in the House of Commons to renew Britain’s continuous at sea deterrent.
Animal testing
The Daily Mirror reports that experiments on animals including pigs, rabbits and monkeys have been uncovered at Porton Down. The article also looks back on the history of the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory.
An MOD spokesperson said:
Our armed forces could not be provided with safe and effective protective measures without this research. We are committed to reducing the number of animal experiments and they are only undertaken where there are no alternatives. All of our animal experiments are fully licensed by the Home Office.
Trident
There is further follow up coverage across several papers on the vote by the House of Commons to renew Britain’s continuous at sea deterrent on Monday night.
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said:
MPs on all sides have voted by an overwhelming margin, to renew our nuclear deterrent - the ultimate guarantee of our national security.We have voted to protect our nation from the most serious threats we may face in the 2030s, 2040s and 2050s.
The British Parliament has sent a powerful message to our allies that Britain is stepping up its international commitments, not stepping back from them.We will now get on with building the next generation of nuclear submarines to help keep the nation, and our allies, safe for decades to come.
