Today’s defence news includes the announcement of a £100M contract to develop cutting-edge Protector Remotely Piloted Air System especially for RAF.
Defence Secretary visit to the US.
The Defence Secretary announced a £100m contract with General Atomics to develop technology for the new Protector Remotely Piloted Air System. The Sunday Telegraph reports that the deal will ‘bring the UK a decisive advantage on the battlefield’ while the Observer describes the deal as ‘a major addition in terms of firepower, imaging and intelligence gathering’.
Defence Secretary, Sir Michael Fallon said:
Britain faces ever-evolving threats and we must look at innovative solutions to stay ahead of our enemies. Doubling investment in our unmanned air fleet will substantially enhance both the intelligence gathering and firepower of the RAF.
The UK’s security partnership with the US is the deepest and most advanced of any two nations on earth; this programme is part of a further strengthening which will help keep Britain safe and secure.
Read more about the announcement here.
The Defence Secretary also told the Reagan National Defense Forum that only NATO can deter Russian aggression. The Mail on Sunday and Observer report that Sir Michael Fallon urged the incoming administration not to retreat into isolationism and sent a message to Trump that the UK regards NATO as the cornerstone of European defence.
Combined Arms Demonstration
The Mail on Sunday speculates on the purpose of the Combined Arms Manoeuvre Demonstration on Salisbury Plain in October.
An Army spokesperson said:
The uniforms and equipment used for this military demonstration were standard and did not represent any nation; this had nothing to do with any current or planned deployments.
Global Britain
In an Op Ed in the Sunday Telegraph, the Foreign Secretary reflects on his recent visit to Afghanistan and what it is that drives us to send soldiers thousands of miles from home and argues that a global outlook is profoundly beneficial to both Britain and the world. He calls on every NATO member to meet the 2% target and reinforces NATOs role in guaranteeing security as well as extolling the benefits of free trade.
