Today's defence news includes continued coverage of the House of Common's Defence Committee report into the future of the Royal Marines and the competition for the Army's new Mechanised Infantry Vehicle.
Sunset for the Royal Marines
Following widespread coverage in yesterday's print and broadcast media, The Daily Telegraph, The Sun, Daily Express, Daily Star, Guardian and Scotsman continue to analyse the House of Common's Defence Committee report into the future of the Royal Marines. The report states that potential cuts to the Royal Marines would be “militarily illiterate” and “at odds with strategic reality”. Some papers note that cutting the Royal Marines will damage Britain’s special forces, given the high numbers of Marines who go on to join the SBS and SAS.
A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said:
Protecting the UK will always be our priority and the Royal Marines play a vital role in defending our country. Just last week we launched the Modernising Defence Programme to strengthen our Armed Forces in the face of intensifying threats. Our brand new aircraft carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth, is central to our efforts to build an Armed Forces fit for the future and is a symbol of our intent to remain a truly Global Britain.
Mechanised Infantry Vehicle
The Daily Telegraph (Business) leads with news that a German-led consortium bidding for a multi-billion pound contract to supply armoured vehicles for the Army has pledged to build the bulk of them in Britain in a move expected to create 1,000 UK jobs. Artec has signed deals with BAE Systems, Thales UK and Pearson Engineering for design, development and manufacturing of the Boxer Mechanised Infantry Vehicle.
A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said:
No decision has been taken at this stage.
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