Of note for defence in today’s media, The Sun profiles some of the nominees ahead of tomorrow’s 9th Sun Military Awards.
The Sun Military Awards
The Sun profiles some of the nominees for tomorrow night’s 9th Sun Military Awards (The Millies), including Para Colour Sergeant Marty Wilson who recovered after being shot in the head whilst on tour in Afghanistan in 2011, Captain Hannah Winterbourne the most senior transgender soldier in the Army, Sergeant Carl Taylor who was decorated with the Military Cross in 2012 for racing through enemy gunfire in Helmand to rescue three children, and Private Jake Farr who used his combat medical training to save a five-week old baby boy.
Donald Trump F35 Tweet
The Daily Telegraph reports that Donald Trump has spoken about the international F-35 programme on Twitter.
An MOD Spokesperson said:
We remain committed to the F-35 programme and believe it offers the best capability for our Armed Forces.
Daesh Retake Palmyra
The Daily Telegraph and The Times report that Daesh has retaken the city of Palmyra. Russia’s Ministry of Defence blamed the US for the setback in Palmyra, claiming that a pause in a US backed offensive against Raqqa, Daesh’s de facto capital in Syria, had allowed the group to concentrate its forces for the offensive.
Russia
The Times reports on Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon’s comments during defence questions yesterday in which he highlighted a ‘pattern’ of alleged Russian activity in European elections and referendums, including in Bulgaria and the Netherlands. The paper says that Sir Michael Fallon also accused Russia of a ‘huge increase’ in submarine activity and said that the EU and NATO would come together to cooperate on how to counter this form of hybrid warfare.
The Daily Mail reported that Russia’s top UK diplomat Ambassador Alexander Yakovenko last night accused Britain of ‘overt hostility’ and working with Nato to prepare for a ‘major war’ in Europe.
Northern Ireland
The Sun claims that MPs are discussing the probe into killings by British soldiers in Northern Ireland over 30 years ago with the Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon.
An MOD spokesperson said:
The overwhelming majority of those who served in Northern Ireland did so with great bravery and distinction. Any member of the military affected by this process will rightly be supported throughout and will receive free MOD legal representation.