Today's Defence related news includes coverage of the Type 26 steel cut, a Royal Artillery Lance Bombardier being signed by Bristol Rovers and the Soldiering On Awards.
Type 26 steel cut
The Defence Secretary cut steel on the first Type 26 frigate yesterday in front of the assembled workforce at BAE Systems' Govan shipyard. The first of eight City class frigates was named as HMS Glasgow, unveiled by the Secretary of State for Defence in his speech. The story is covered widely in both national and Scottish papers featuring in The Daily Telegraph, Daily Mail, The Sun, Daily Mirror, Scotsman, Glasgow Herald and Daily Record and also featured on yesterday’s Scottish broadcast news bulletins with clips on BBC Reporting Scotland, STV and BBC Radio Scotland Newsdrive.
Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon said:
Today marks a historic milestone for the Royal Navy, Scottish shipbuilding and UK Defence more widely. HMS Glasgow and the other seven frigates in this new class will protect our powerful new aircraft carriers and nuclear deterrent, helping keep Britain safe across the world.
The Type 26 is a cutting-edge warship that will maintain our naval power with a truly global reach. Designed for a service life of at least 25 years, the Type 26 frigates will form a backbone of the future Royal Navy surface fleet well into the future.
Admiral Sir Philip Jones, First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff, said:
The Clyde was the birthplace of some of the greatest fighting ships the world has ever known, and so cutting steel there today for the future HMS Glasgow is symbolic of a Royal Navy on the rise once again.
As an island nation, we are utterly dependent on the sea for our security and prosperity, and the City-class names have been chosen for the Type 26 to provide an enduring link between the Royal Navy and our great centres of commerce and industry.
The name Glasgow brings with it a string of battle honours, stretching from the Arctic Circle to the South Atlantic. As one of the world’s most capable anti-submarine frigates, the Type 26 will carry the Royal Navy’s tradition of victory far into the future.
National Security Capability Review
The Daily Telegraph, The Times and The Sun report that the Government has started work on a review of National Security Capabilities. This work is going to be lead by the National Security Adviser and will involve multiple departments looking at multiple strands of work.
From the Royal Artillery to Bristol Rovers
The Guardian features a full page story on Lance Bombardier Tom Broadbent who is leaving the Army to pursue a career in professional football after being recommended by the Army team manager. The piece includes an interview with the current serviceman, who has been signed by Bristol Rovers.
Soldiering On Awards
BFBS Radio this morning exclusively announced the launch of the 2018 Soldiering On Awards. Nominations are now open for the Awards which honour the best of the Armed Forces Community and volunteer organisations and businesses which support them. Forces TV is also covering the Launch.
Awards Patron and Defence Minister Earl Howe said:
Who can fail to be enthused by the irrepressible spirit and inspiring accomplishments of all those the Awards recognise; veterans and civilians from all walks of life, who work together so effectively, to improve the lives of so many. I encourage all to nominate anyone whom they consider worthy of recognition for their support of the Armed Forces Community.
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