Today’s defence related media coverage includes news on yesterday’s Changing of the Guard and the economic benefits of the F-35 programme.
Changing of the Guard
There is widespread coverage of the Royal Navy’s first Changing of the Guard yesterday in London. The Daily Telegraph, the Guardian, the Sun and The Times all cover the story. Several outlets, including the Daily Express and the Daily Star, report that the ceremony coincides with the ‘Year of the Navy’, which also saw the arrival of HMS Queen Elizabeth into Portsmouth. The Daily Mail focuses on Store Accountant Alex Stacey, who took part in the ceremony despite only joining the Navy in January.
Lieutenant Commander Steve Elliot said:
The last time the Navy had an operational role guarding the Queen was with Elizabeth the first, when Sir Walter Raleigh was appointed Captain of the Queen's Guard in 1587. So it goes back a little while. I've got a great team, who have put in long hours, to make this all come together. I'm very proud of my Sailors today and they can be justifiably proud of themselves.
You can read more about the ceremony here.
Economic benefits of the F-35 programme
The Daily Mirror, Belfast Telegraph and the Aberdeen Press and Journal report this morning that the UK economy has had a £4 billion boost from the F-35 fighter jet programme according to Lockheed Martin. The Mirror piece notes that orders placed with suppliers such as Rolls-Royce and BAE Systems totalled £8 billion.
Image of the day
