Today’s defence-related news sees coverage of the Armed Forces' role in the clean-up of Salisbury, the stand-up of the Submarine Delivery Agency and news of Royal Gun Salutes to mark the birth of the Royal baby.
Salisbury clean-up
Outlets including Sky, the Mail Online and The Sun report on Army trucks arriving in Salisbury to begin the clean-up of potentially contaminated sites in the city.
Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said:
The work of our Armed Forces and defence scientists in the wake of the reckless attack in Salisbury has been vital, whether it’s the military assisting the police or Porton Down identifying the chemical nerve agent.
Our troops will now play another important role in the clean-up of potentially contaminated sites in Salisbury, making sure the local community is kept safe. The expertise, equipment and people we have are crucial to help make sure any risk to the public is removed entirely.
I would again like to pay tribute to their professionalism and skill, which has been at the heart of the investigation into this atrocity.
Submarine Delivery Agency
The UK Defence Journal reports that Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson has announced a major step forward for Britain’s new nuclear submarines, with the stand-up of the Submarine Delivery Agency (SDA). The stand-up of the SDA marks the delivery of a milestone set out in the 2015 Strategic Defence and Security Review that strengthens arrangements to support the UK’s submarine capability.
The Executive Agency will lead on the procurement, in-service support and decommissioning of all UK nuclear submarines.
Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said:
Our nuclear deterrent is our ultimate defence from the most extreme threats while our attack submarines are busier than ever providing unprecedented levels of protection across the world.
A Royal Navy submarine is on patrol 24 hours a day, every day of the year, protecting our way of life. These advanced and complex vessels are more important than ever as the world becomes an increasingly dangerous place and establishing this new Agency sends a clear signal of our commitment to continue deterring conflict and protecting the nation.
You can read more here.
Royal Gun Salutes
Various outlets, including The Telegraph, the Evening Standard and the Daily Express, report that Royal Gun Salutes will also celebrate the birth of the new Royal baby. The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery and The Honourable Artillery Company will each fire celebratory Royal Salutes at 2pm.
The soldiers, horses and Guns of The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery will ride out from Wellington Barracks into Hyde Park for a 41 round salute. And the Honourable Artillery Company (HAC), the City of London's Army Reserve regiment, will fire a 62-round Gun Salute from The Tower of London.
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