Today’s defence-related media coverage includes the news that Britain will send nearly 30 troops to bolster NATO’s mission in Kosovo.
NATO Kosovo force
The Independent, The Sunday Mirror, and The People, report that nearly 30 British troops will be sent to join the NATO Kosovo Force early next year on a 12-month deployment. The UK will focus on intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance ops with the peacekeeping force with personnel based in Kosovo’s capital, Pristina.
The Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said:
There are significant security and stability challenges in Western Balkans. NATO remains a cornerstone of our defence. By continuing to defend the security of Europe, Britain’s security is strengthened at home.
You can read more about the deployment here.
Women to operate tanks
The Sun reports that women soldiers will join Army tank crews for the first time in 2017. About 70 female recruits want places on a tank training course in January and could make up a quarter of the intake. The paper says that this follows July’s decision to lift a ban on women in close combat roles and that The Royal Tank Regiment, the King’s Royal Hussars and the Queen’s Royal Hussars are the first to remove the ban.
On lifting the ban on women in ground close combat roles in July, Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said:
I have always wanted roles in our armed forces to be determined by ability, not gender.
Women have already given exemplary service in recent conflicts, working in a variety of highly specialised and vital roles. By opening all combat roles to women, we will continue to build on these successes and improve the operational capability of our military.
Free legal aid for soldiers
The Sunday Express reports that Armed Forces personnel accused of committing crimes in the heat of battle are to be offered free legal representation for the first time. The paper says the scheme could cover soldiers facing prosecution by the Government’s Iraq Historic Allegations Team.
An MoD spokesperson said:
All personnel interviewed after caution receive publicly funded legal advice and assistance.
The Ministry of Defence can, in appropriate cases, decide to fund legal support at trial without means testing.
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