Today’s defence-related news includes coverage of defence spending and Exercise Formidable Shield.
Defence Spending
The Times and The Independent report this morning on Britain’s defence spending.
An MOD spokesperson said:
Our £36bn budget is rising each year and, by spending over 2% of GDP on defence, we are leading by example in NATO. As Ambassador Johnson has suggested, we work tirelessly to ensure our growing budget maintains our world-leading role and focuses on frontline priorities to help keep us safe.
A US Embassy to the UK Spokesperson said:
The U.S.-UK defense relationship is as strong as ever. The UK is one of only a handful of NATO member countries that is meeting NATO’s two percent spending pledge and it is helping us to encourage other members to meet their commitments. We welcomed the UK decision last year to increase defence spending and that the British government has now committed to increasing spending over inflation every year for the next five years.
Exercise Formidable Shield
The Independent reports that Exercise Formidable Shield has begun and says it involves practicing shooting down nuclear missiles. The MOD’s £60m investment in the Hebrides Range is also referenced.
Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon said:
North Korean tests have shown the danger of rogue states developing longer range missiles. By hosting this cutting-edge exercise in anti-missile defence with allied navies Britain is at the forefront of developing a more effective response to this growing threat.
Experiments at Porton Down
The Mirror reports this morning on tests involving monkeys at the MOD’s Porton Down site.
An MOD spokesperson said:
While we are working to reduce the requirement for animal experimentation, some of this life-saving research cannot be conducted without using animals.
Picture of the day
A 90 strong team of wounded, injured and sick military personnel and veterans are in Toronto Canada to represent the UK in the third Invictus Games.