Defence news today includes reporting on the situation in Syria and contracts for Challenger 2 tanks.
Syria
On its front page The Times reports that President Putin will launch a full-scale military assault on the Syrian city of Aleppo as early as this week, according to western intelligence. The paper adds that Moscow's only aircraft carrier, which is travelling to a strike position in the eastern Mediterranean, will be used to enhance Russian firepower over Aleppo in support of the Syrian regime, according to the intelligence assessment.
Challenger 2 tanks
An article in The Telegraph business section claims a contract to modernise the British Army's main battle tanks could see much of the work go abroad. The MOD is updating its 227 Challenger 2 tanks with the digital capabilities needed to be an effective part of Britain's military might, as well as extend their service lives, the paper says, adding military chiefs have now whittled down the bids to just two, who will each be asked to build a prototype vehicle as part of a final assessment phase.
An MOD spokesperson said:
The MOD has chosen BAE Systems and Rheinmetall Landsysteme GmbH as preferred bidders for the Assessment Phase of the Challenger 2 Life Extension Project. As part of our £178 billion equipment plan, this is an important step forward as we continue to work with industry to deliver a key equipment programme for the UK’s armed forces.
Shipbuilding
Defence think tank Defence Synergia has today published a critique into the National Shipbuilding Strategy.
An MOD spokesperson said:
The National Shipbuilding Strategy will look at all aspects of warship building in the UK and place UK warship building on a sustainable long-term footing. It will consider all aspects of warship building and integration, and the contribution that all suppliers make to the UK’s prosperity.
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