Defence news today includes the activation of Operation Temperer and confirmation that Chief of the Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach has been elected as NATO's next Chairman of the Military Council.
Operation Temperer
There is widespread reporting today of the Parsons Green attack in London, including that the Prime Minister has announced Operation Temperer has been activated, in which Armed Forces personnel will deploy at sites across the UK in order to release armed police for other duties.
An MOD spokesperson said:
At the request of the police, we are moving quickly to deploy up to 1,000 personnel from across the three services to provide security at sites across the UK. This will free up extra armed police to patrol the streets and protect the public.
NATO Chairman of the Military Committee
There is coverage in the media today following confirmation that UK Chief of the Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach has been elected as the new NATO Chairman of the Military Committee, the Alliance’s senior military officer.
CDS Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach said:
It is a huge honour to have been chosen to be the next Chairman of the Military Committee, one of the most important positions in NATO, central to European security.
I am excited to take on this next challenge at such an important time for NATO, at a time when the alliance must modernise to face new and ever adapting threats. Having spent the last year in the hugely rewarding position as Head of the UK’s Armed Forces, I know I am ready to take on this challenge.
I would like to personally thank all of those who supported me through this campaign and voted for me in the election.
Read more about CDS' appointment here.
Hurricane Irma support
There is continued coverage in today's papers of the UK military effort in the Caribbean. Articles are today included in the Daily Mail, Daily Mirror and Press & Journal. Coverage reflects that more than 1,000 troops have been deployed to support the relief effort.
Royal Navy
The Daily Mail and Daily Star follow up reporting in yesterday's Daily Telegraph which included criticisms of the Royal Navy, with comments focusing on the size of the fleet.
An MOD spokesperson said:
We are growing the Royal Navy for the first time since the Second World War. Our Navy can already carry out all its operational requirements, is over 97% recruited and, with two types of brand new frigates and two huge aircraft carriers in the pipeline, the UK is fulfilling its global maritime role.
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