Defence news today includes further coverage around Trident, as well as reporting on Army recruitment.
Trident
A number of newspapers continue to cover Trident today.
You can read the Defence Secretary’s statement to Parliament here.
A Government spokesperson said:
The capability and effectiveness of the Trident missile, should we ever need to employ it, is unquestionable. In June the Royal Navy conducted a routine unarmed Trident missile test launch from HMS Vengeance, as part of an operation which is designed to certify the submarine and its crew. Vengeance and her crew were successfully tested and certified, allowing Vengeance to return into service. We have absolute confidence in our independent nuclear deterrent. We do not provide further details on submarine operations for obvious national security reasons.
NATO
The Daily Mail also reports that newly appointed US Secretary of Defense Secretary General James Mattis has told Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon that the US has an unshakeable commitment to NATO. The paper references Sir Michael Fallon’s comments that his first phone call with Secretary Mattis was a “warm” discussion, in which they talked about how to “modernise” the Alliance. The paper adds that the conversation was among the first official calls made by the Pentagon chief.
Army
The Daily Mail looks at Army recruitment, suggesting that a dip in numbers could be linked to the historical inquiries into British soldiers who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan.
An MOD spokesperson said:
Linking recruitment figures to a single issue is pure speculation. The Army has enough people to perform all of its tasks to keep Britain safe, and continues to offer exciting opportunities that inspire the best of our young people. We have seen an increase in recruitment over the last year and we expect this trend to continue.
Training
Another article in the Daily Mail reports that UK aid has been spent on training foreign soldiers.
Defence Minister, Mark Lancaster, said:
Britain’s defence courses ensure other counties learn about British values and human rights which reduces global conflict and instability. This reduces mass migration, helps the world’s poorest and makes Britain safer.
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