Today’s defence related news looks at the National Audit Office’s (NAO) report into the defence estate, the EU Defence Ministerial meeting and continued coverage from Remembrance Sunday.
NAO report
The Times, The Daily Mail, The Sun, The Daily Mirror, The Daily Telegraph, The Guardian and others all report on the publication of the NAO report into the defence estate.
A MOD Spokesperson said:
This is an important report and we are determined to deliver a better defence estate. That’s why we’ve outlined a long-term, military-led strategy, to invest £4 billion in training facilities fit for our strong and modern armed forces and better accommodation to deliver more stability for military families.
Coverage also looked specifically at electricity cables at Portsmouth Naval Base and how their condition may affect aircraft carrier operations as well as the conditions of buildings at RAF Valley medical centre.
In response, a Royal Navy Spokesperson said:
Portsmouth Naval base will be ready for the arrival of HMS Queen Elizabeth in 2017.The power delivery infrastructure required to support the arrival of the Aircraft Carrier has been fully assessed and, where necessary, upgraded.
In response, a Royal Air Force Spokesperson said:
The RAF Valley medical centre has not been demolished, rather it has been repaired and remains in use. However, it is due to be replaced as part of our infrastructure improvement programme in 2017.
EU Defence Ministerial Meeting
The Times, The Herald, The Daily Telegraph, The Guardian, The Daily Mail, and The Guardian all report extensively on the European Union Foreign Affairs Council meeting on defence, which was attended by Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon.
Speaking to the media ahead of the meeting, Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon said:
We’re here to discuss European defence in an increasingly channeling environment. Instead of planning expensive new headquarters or dreaming of a European Army, what Europe needs to do now is spend more on its own defence, that is the best possible approach to the Trump Presidency. Britain meets the 2% commitment and other European Countries need to increase their own defence spending.
The papers report that the Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon told European Union Defence ministers that America under President Trump will continue to come to the defence of any Nato countries attacked by Russia and will continue to play a leading role in the alliance.
Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon said:
Every successive American administration has played its leadership role in Nato. I don’t expect a Trump-led White House to be any different.
The papers also report on EU plans to create a European army that could be a substitute for Nato.
Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon said:
It’s moving our way. We’re avoiding a new military headquarters, the level of ambition seems to have been tempered.
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