Of note for Defence in today’s news is coverage of the beginning of the operation aimed ultimately at re-taking Raqqa from Daesh.
Raqqa
Newspapers today cover the start of the initial operation to retake Raqqa from Daesh after a US-backed Kurdish and Arab force said it has begun an operation to capture the city, billed as Daesh’s "capital" in Syria. The Daily Mail writes that Defence Secretary Michael Fallon has confirmed the RAF has joined the initial operation.
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said:
We're supporting Iraqi-led forces defeating Daesh in Mosul and the RAF will support the Raqqa operation as it develops.
Our strikes are making a difference in Mosul now and our sophisticated surveillance effort is helping give the coalition a vital edge in Syria.
Type 26
The Daily Mail writes that the MOD and BAE need to ensure that British steel is used to build the next generation of warships. The Guardian, Daily Record and The Scotsman also write about the Type 26 frigates, focusing on the jobs element of this issue.
An MOD spokesperson said:
The Type 26 Programme will secure hundreds of high-skilled shipbuilding jobs on the Clyde for at least two decades and hundreds more in the supply chain across Britain. UK steel suppliers have an opportunity to bid for new contracts. No orders have been placed yet.
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said:
Backed by Britain’s rising Defence budget, the Type 26 Programme will deliver a new generation of cutting-edge warships for our Royal Navy at best value for taxpayers.
The UK government’s commitment today will secure hundreds of high-skilled shipbuilding jobs on the Clyde for at least two decades and hundreds more in the supply chain across Britain.
You can read about the full story here.
F-35
The Ministry of Defence is pleased to announce that the UK has been chosen by the F-35 Program Office to be a global repair hub providing maintenance, repair, overhaul and upgrade services for F-35 avionic and aircraft components. Over the lifetime of the programme, hundreds of European-based F-35 aircraft will be serviced and maintained in North Wales. This work will generate hundreds of millions of pounds of revenue for UK industry, with the potential to unlock more than £2Bn of future F-35 support revenue over the lifetime of the programme.
You can read the full story here
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