Today’s defence news includes the Royal Navy’s HMS Diamond being deployed to monitor the Russian reconnaissance ship Yantar as it passed through the English Channel and continuing coverage on Afghan interpreters.
HMS Diamond escorting Yantar through the English Channel
The Daily Mail, the Telegraph, the Mirror, the Express and The Sun all report that Portsmouth based HMS Diamond was deployed earlier this week to meet Russian reconnaissance ship Yantar as it passed through the English Channel and will continue to monitor the ship as it continues north.
Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said:
We will not hesitate in defending our waters or tolerate any form of aggression.
Britain will never be intimidated when it comes to protecting our country, our people, and our national interests.
Afghan Interpreters
The Daily Mail has reported on an Afghan former local interpreter who wasn’t eligible to be relocated to the UK.
A Government spokesperson said:
Over 1000 former Afghan staff and their families have been relocated to the UK through our redundancy scheme.
Staff who have been offered relocation have faced the greatest danger working alongside British troops in Helmand province, where some have unfortunately been killed or injured during their duties.
We have expert teams in both the UK and in Kabul who ensure that former Afghan staff who feel threatened are properly supported.
Image of the day:
The Portsmouth-based Type 45 destroyer plus a Wildcat helicopter from 815 Naval Air Squadron at RNAS Yeovilton were dispatched to follow the Russian underwater reconnaissance ship Yantar as it approached the UKs area of interest.
HMS Diamond will continue to monitor the vessels movements and activities as it continues north.
The Russian vessel Yantar is a specialist reconnaissance ship which carries two unmanned submersible vehicles, which can descend to the sea bed and send back images as well as collecting items from the bottom of the ocean.