Today's defence related news includes an interview with the Vice Chief of the Defence Staff, the naming of the Royal Navy's newest Type 26 Frigate and severe weather.
Vice Chief interview with The Times
General Sir Gordon Messenger, the Vice Chief of the Defence Staff, gave an interview to The Times in which he argued that extra investment was needed to counter the growing range of threats, citing Russia and North Korea. General Messenger said ‘Defence affordability is not something we should shy away from. We should be making the case for a bigger defence budget in order to respond to those types of threats that are changing all of the time.’
The wide ranging interview also covered what the Vice Chief referred to as the 'information advantage' and reports that the UK is playing catch up in the information space as countries such as Russia and China develop their own electronic warfare and cyberweapons, but quotes General Messenger saying that we should not “lionise” the Russian armed forces. His comments were also picked up by The Sun, Daily Mail and Daily Telegraph and featured on the BBC Radio 4 Today Programme.
HMS Cardiff
Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson chose St. David's Day to announce the name of one of the new Type 26 warships as HMS Cardiff. The third to be named in the City Class of eight brand new, cutting-edge, anti-submarine warfare frigates, HMS Cardiff will provide advanced protection for the likes of the UK’s nuclear deterrent and Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers. The news was reported in MailOnline and circulated by the Press Association.
Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said:
HMS Cardiff will be a terrific tribute to Wales and its capital city. She will bolster the United Kingdom’s defences across the seven seas – protecting our aircraft carriers and defending our waters from intensifying threats.
First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Philip Jones said:
It’s great to see the name HMS Cardiff returning to the Fleet as one of our new Type 26 Frigates, reflecting the Royal Navy’s long-standing bond with the city and the people of Wales. The name HMS Cardiff brings with it a proud history. A century ago the light cruiser HMS Cardiff famously led the German High Seas Fleet into internment at Scapa Flow at the end of the First World War. The last HMS Cardiff, a Type 42 destroyer, also distinguished herself on operations around the world, including the 1982 Falklands campaign, the 1991 Gulf War and service in the Adriatic during the 1999 crisis in Kosovo.
This next generation of frigates will encompass the very latest innovations and technological advances to deliver a world class anti-submarine warfare capability within a globally deployable and highly versatile platform. For years to come, as part of a Royal Navy carrier-led task group or working with our international partners, HMS Cardiff and her sister ships will be ready to deliver a wide spectrum of operations from diplomatic and humanitarian missions to high end warfighting, promoting and protecting Britain’s interests worldwide.
Severe Weather
Broadcasters including BBC, Sky and ITV have all been reporting that the military are supporting emergency services in Lincolnshire by helping to transport health staff to hospitals and support health workers in visiting vulnerable people in the community following heavy snowfall. While the Evening Standard features images of Royal Marines training in the snow and RFA Tidespring battling icy conditions.
Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said:
Our Armed Forces stand ready to help as Britain is hit by severe weather. We’ve already seen the RAF helping doctors and nurses get to some of the most vulnerable people. Our service personnel are showing great dedication and a spirited sense of duty as they support local authorities and keep the British people safe.
Image of the day
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