Of note for Defence today is reporting that Defence Secretary Michael Fallon has committed the UK Armed Forces to work closer together with the German military.
Germany
The Times reports that Defence Secretary Michael Fallon has announced Britain will forge a closer military alliance with Germany. British and German troops will step up training exercises and even be deployed on operations together as part of the enhanced partnership, the paper writes, adding that the Royal Navy's newest helicopter, the Wildcat, will operate from a German warship that is due to take part in operations in the Mediterranean next year.
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said:
Britain stands together with Germany to face the same challenges, including the threat from Daesh, and shares the same values of liberty, tolerance and justice.
While the UK is leaving the European Union, our commitment to European security remains steadfast, and we continue as a leading member of NATO – the cornerstone of our Defence.
Read more about the announcement here.
Typhoon
Several papers, including The Times, Daily Mail, The Sun, The Telegraph and The Independent, report that BAE Systems is pressing ahead with talks to renew a five-year contract to maintain Typhoon and Hawk aircraft supplied to Saudi Arabia. Articles report the defence company has said in a trading update that discussions between it, the government and Saudi Arabia were progressing “to define the scope and terms” of the next Saudi-British defence co-operation programme.
RFA Diligence
The Mirror reports that after £29 million of refits in three years RFA Diligence is being withdrawn from service early. The article claims that the RFA ship is being sold in the latest cost-cutting move, and that the 10,595-tonne craft was supposed to be in operation until 2020 but will now be decommissioned before the end of the year.
A Royal Navy spokesperson said:
RFA Diligence has provided vital support to Royal Navy ships for more than 35 years but it is not value for money to continue her service beyond this year. The RFA remains integral to the Royal Navy’s deployment around the world and looks forward to four new tankers joining the flotilla.
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