Today’s defence-related coverage includes the news that the UK will step up its role in the fight against Daesh.
FIGHT AGAINST DAESH
The Telegraph, The Times, The Sun, Daily Mail, and The Mirror report on the announcement that Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon made at Defence Oral Questions yesterday on the campaign against Daesh. Articles focus on British troops’ role patrolling outside their al-Asad airbase in Iraq for the first time in the fight against Daesh, as the 270 soldiers from 2 Rifles take over responsibility from US forces. Reporting also reflects that a team of eight medics will be sent to the base, and a team of 44 Royal Engineers will have their tour extended by six months.
Defence Secretary, Sir Michael Fallon, said:
The fight against Daesh’s reign of terror is not over and as the nature of the Coalition campaign changes, the role we play must adapt too. By training Iraq forces we are helping with the long-term stability of the country and our own security here at home.
Read more on the announcement here.
DEFENCE BUDGET
The Radio 4 Today Programme featured pieces this morning on Defence spending.
An MOD spokesperson said:
We are committed to increasing the £36bn defence budget by at least half a per cent above inflation every year for the rest of this Parliament. Spending is monitored continually to ensure our rising defence budget focuses on frontline priorities and intensifying threats.
This approach helps ensure our £178bn equipment plan delivers the cutting edge ships, aircraft, and armoured vehicles our military need now and in the future.
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