Today’s defence-related news includes the House of Commons Defence Committee (HCDC) report on the Royal Navy fleet and the interception of a Spanish research vessel in British Gibraltar Territorial Waters.
HCDC
The House of Commons Defence Committee’s Restoring the Fleet report is covered widely by Sky, BBC Radio 4 Today, BBC Breakfast, The Telegraph, The Sun, The Times, The Express, The Mirror, and The Daily Mail.
An MOD Spokesperson said:
We are investing in a growing Royal Navy by building two aircraft carriers, the new Type 26 Global Combat Ship, Dreadnought and Astute class submarines, and offshore patrol vessels. We are also developing new class of Lighter General Purpose Frigate so that by the 2030s we can grow the size of the fleet. This major programme of investment will ensure that the Royal Navy remains one of the world’s most modern and powerful navies with a genuine global reach.
GIBRALTAR
There is widespread online reporting in The Daily Mail, The Guardian, The Telegraph, The Mirror, The Sun and PA that the Royal Navy was forced to fire flares at a Spanish research vessel when it entered into British Gibraltar Territorial Waters.
A Government Spokesperson said:
The Royal Navy challenges all unlawful maritime incursions into British Gibraltar Territorial Waters. We back this up by making formal diplomatic protests to the Spanish government.
Photographer: Mr Ian Griffiths, Army Photographer, Infantry Battle School
© Crown copyright.