Today's Defence news includes the Awards for Valour (protection) private members bill, HMS DUNCAN's return to port, an op-ed from the First Sea Lord and the National Shipbuilding Strategy. The Red Arrows have been in Abu Dhabi.
Fake Military Veterans
The Today Programme includes a discussion on the Awards for Valour (protection) private members bill, which could make it a crime for anyone to pose as a military veteran by wearing gallantry medals they have not earned themselves. The bill, tabled by MP Gareth Johnson, will receive its second reading in the House of Commons today.
Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon said:
I fully support this Bill. Medals recognise our forces who risk their lives for our freedom. It’s important their service is properly protected.
Royal Navy ships
The Times , The Daily Telegraph, The Herald and The Daily Mail speculate about the current condition of Royal Navy ships after a split water coupling caused HMS DUNCAN to berth in Plymouth Naval Base. Contrary to reporting, HMS DUNCAN returned to Her Majesty’s Naval Base Devonport under her own power, with tugs assisting as part of standard Royal Navy berthing procedures.
A Royal Navy spokesperson said:
HMS Duncan experienced a minor issue which has now been repaired. She will return to operations this afternoon.
The Daily Telegraph includes an Op-Ed by the First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Philip Jones on the challenges faced by the Royal Navy.
First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Philip Jones said:
The Royal Navy does have challenges, in people, budgets and equipment, but these must be put in perspective. The challenges are those of a first-rate Navy. You don’t hear about the same issues in many other navies – and believe me, they exist – because they don’t operate with the same sophistication or expectation. The Type 45 destroyer is a case in point.
It is a hugely innovative ship, and the propulsion systems have turned out to be less reliable than envisaged. Money is now in place to put this right, but what is beyond doubt is that these ships offer one of the best anti-aircraft capabilities in the world.
National Shipbuilding Strategy
The Daily Mirror claims that plans for new Royal Navy ships have missed the stated publication deadline of the Autumn Statement.
An MOD spokesperson said:
Sir John’s review was provided to Ministers’ ahead of the Autumn Statement as planned and to suggest anything has been delayed is nonsense. We’re investing in a growing Royal Navy which will ensure that they remain one of the world’s most modern and powerful navies with a genuine global reach.
Q fever
The Daily Record, The Timesand The Sun all report that Paralympian and former Royal Marine Philip Eaglesham, who caught the bacterial infection Q fever when he was returning to the UK from Afghanistan in 2010, has won an £8million damages claim against the MOD. He claimed he should have been given antibiotic doxycycline and now has very serious chronic fatigue syndrome. The MOD statement is carried in The Times.
An MoD spokesman said:
We are studying the judgment and it would be inappropriate to comment further.
Trident
The Daily Record reports that renewing Britain’s nuclear weapons system will cost taxpayers £18million for every job saved. The Jimmy Reid Foundation claimed only 600 civilians depend on the existing Trident missiles at Faslane on the Clyde.
An MOD spokesperson said:
The Royal Navy’s £31bn Dreadnought programme provides for four submarines that will provide the ultimate guarantee of Britain’s security through to the 2060s. HMNB Clyde is one of the largest employment sites in Scotland, will be home of all of Britain’s submarines by 2020, and to 8200 jobs by 2022. The withdrawal or cancellation of Dreadnought could have implications for future shipbuilding in Scotland.
Super Trooper
The Sunreports that Lieutenant Colonel Nick Cavill, the brother of Superman actor Henry Cavill has taken command of Royal Marines unit 30 Commando Information Exploitation Group.
IHAT
The Times reports that the Prime Minister Theresa May is under pressure to strengthen a plan to protect troops from spurious legal claims after warnings that it will not protect soldiers already being pursued.
Picture of the Day
Abu Dhabi’s weekend of Formula 1 and celebration of speed got underway with a full display by the Red Arrows as jets from the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team performed over the Corniche. Thousands of people watched the world-renowned display team complete the display along the skyscraper-lined promenade of Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates. The Red Arrows’ Hawk jets flew as close as six-feet apart, at more than 350mph, during parts of the 24-minute show. The display is one of several performed by the team during a major tour of the Middle East and Asia-Pacific regions, supporting British interests.
