Today's defence-related news includes coverage of the arrival of RFA Tideforce into Falmouth and further reporting on the appeal to identify remains from the Korean War.
Forces Network reports that RFA Tideforce has arrived in Falmouth, Cornwall for customisation ahead of entering service 2019. Tideforce follows her sister ships Tidespring, Tiderace and Tidesurge into the A&P Falmouth yard, where work to customise the fleet ahead of operational service is sustaining 300 jobs.
Defence Minister Stuart Andrew said:
Tideforce’s arrival completes our new tanker fleet, ensuring our warships can continue their essential work across the globe. Hundreds of Cornwall workers will now install state-of-the-art systems before she joins her sister ships on operations next year.
Providing everything from a floating helipad, to a refuelling vessel for our brand-new aircraft carriers, we are delivering the equipment our Armed Forces need to combat illegal trade, safeguard our waters and promote peace throughout the world.
Korean War remains
The Telegraph reports on the new appeal launched by the Ministry of Defence, offering the opportunity for relatives of UK service personnel killed or missing in action in the Korean War to provide DNA samples to support the identification of remains.
Nicola Nash from the Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre said:
We are currently attempting to gather the contact information of the families of these brave men who were killed during the Korean War but have no known grave. Although the process of tracing families, DNA testing and identification will probably take many years, we are hoping that as many families as possible will come forward after seeing our press appeals so that we are prepared.
Russian satellite
BBC Online, The Telegraph and The Express all report on the comments made by a United States State Department official at a United Nations disarmament conference referring to a Russian satellite as exhibiting abnormal behaviour.
An MOD spokesperson said:
There are a range of threats and hazards to all space capabilities in what is an increasingly contested domain. These include the development of counterspace weapons by a number of nations. The UK is working closely with international allies, including the US, to re-enforce responsible and safe behaviours in space and to build knowledge, understanding and resilience. We announced at the Defence Space Conference in May the publication of the first Defence Space Strategy later this year. It will set out plans to protect UK operations against emerging threats to space services, such as interference with civilian satellites used for broadcasters and satellite navigation to support military capabilities.
Image of the day
The 39,000 tonne vessel, which will deliver fuel and water to Royal Navy ships on operations all over the world, follows her sister ships Tidespring, Tiderace and Tidesurge into the A&P Falmouth yard, where work to customise the fleet ahead of operational service is sustaining 300 jobs.