Today’s defence related news includes coverage of the Defence Secretary’s visit to Ukraine and the Army’s new fitness tests.
Defence Secretary in Ukraine
The Scotsman covered the Defence Secretary’s visit to Ukraine where he announced that the UK will be extending its military training operation there for a further two years until 2020.
Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said:
I witnessed first-hand the suffering caused by the brutal conflict in eastern Ukraine - a conflict that is being prolonged by the Russian-backed separatists.
By extending and expanding our training programmes, we are sending a clear message - we support the people of Ukraine and are firmly committed to its sovereignty as it faces down blatant Russian aggression.
Army Fitness Tests
The Times, Daily Express, Daily Mail, Press & Journal, Daily Telegraph and The Sun all cover the Army’s new Physical Employment Tests for infantry soldiers. The new tests are not gender or age specific and are designed to replicate tasks that soldiers carry out on the battlefield such as dragging a casualty and carrying ammunition. It is also hoped that this change will help prevent some of the most common musculoskeletal injuries.
