Of note for Defence news today is further coverage of an attempted abduction near RAF Marham and reporting that Royal Navy fleet support vessels could be built abroad.
RAF Marham
Articles in The Times and Daily Mail report that the two men who tried to abduct an RAF serviceman near RAF Marham may have conducted a reconnaissance mission more than a week before the incident. The articles carry a witness account from a local resident. Separately, The Daily Star follows up previous reporting that the serviceman is from the RAF Regiment.
Fleet Solid Support vessels
An article carried in The Telegraph claims a new class of ships for the Royal Navy to support Britain’s aircraft carriers with ammunition, food and equipment could be built outside the UK as the MOD seeks to make savings.
An MOD spokesperson said:
There will be an international competition to build the ‘Fleet Solid Support’ supply ships, which UK companies will be able to enter, with a separate UK-only competition for customisation work and trials. This approach ensures the best value for money for taxpayers.
Veterans
The Sun reports that 9,000 men and women who are now homeless after years of heroic service in Iraq and Afghanistan, using Gulf war veteran Private Toby Southgate a case study. The article also cites that a further 6,000 veterans are in prison and refers back to the paper's article last week on a report by SSAFA that half of veterans are jobless and 70 per cent battling a physical or mental health problem. The MOD's position is not carried and can be seen below.
An MOD spokesperson said:
We are absolutely focused on supporting working age veterans when they leave the Armed Forces. Everyone who leaves the Armed Forces, regardless of age or rank, has one-to-one career guidance, housing advice, healthcare and much more at their disposal.
Earlier this month we allocated £14m in bank fines to military charities to help those most in need. We work both independently and through organisations, including SSAFA, to provide the best welfare possible, and will continue to work with them to get the best outcome for our Armed Forces Community.
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