Today's defence news includes speculation that future Red Arrow's jets could be built overseas and the inspiring story of an Afghan former interpreter who lost both legs and his left arm in an explosion whilst on patrol with 1 SCOTS in 2010.
Red Arrows
The Sunday Times reports that a group of MPs have written to the Prime Minister urging the Government to look at the option of bringing forward the replacement for the Red Arrows' Hawk jets to safeguard jobs at BAE Systems site at Brough in East Yorkshire. The MailOnline and BBC Online both also report on the letter from MPs, with the BBC noting that the RAF display team have just returned from an overseas tour of 11 countries in support of a government campaign to promote the UK.
A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said:
There is no requirement to replace the Red Arrows Hawk T1 aircraft. The Hawk T1 is due to remain in service until 2030, as set out by SDSR 15. Any decision about replacements is unlikely to be taken until after the end of this Parliament.
Afghan Interpreter
The Sunday Times features the inspiring story of Qari Zmari Babrak, an Afghan interpreter with the British Army who lost both legs and his left arm whilst on patrol with soldiers from the 1st Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland in Sangin in 2010. Qari has now been resettled with his wife, son and brother, who is his primary carer, in the UK and the MOD is reviewing the compensation he received for his injuries to reflect the different conditions in the two countries.
A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said:
We owe a debt of gratitude to brave, locally-employed civilians who played a pivotal role in helping our troops build a more secure Afghanistan.
Our scheme has so far relocated more than 385 former staff and their families to the UK. We expect to relocate over 60 further families.
Picture of the day
AFTER 8,000 miles, jets from the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team have returned home from an overseas tour promoting the best of British.
Eleven countries were visited in five weeks, with the world-renowned display team helping to showcase UK excellence in engineering, innovation, creativity and education to millions of people.
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