Today’s Defence-related news includes coverage of yesterday's F-35 and Typhoon announcements and Exercise Toxic Dagger.
F-35s combat-ready
The Times, Independent, Daily Mail, Sun, Express, Telegraph and Daily Record feature articles on yesterday's SofS speech at RAF Marham announcing that F-35 jets are now combat-ready and the Typhoon fleet’s weapons systems have been upgraded. The Tempest concept fighter jet model was also on show. The model, which represents an example of what the UK’s future capability might look like, was unveiled last Summer at Farnborough International Air Show, when the Defence Secretary launched the nation’s Combat Air Strategy to ensure the UK remains a world-leader in the sector for years to come. The announcements also featured on BBC and Sky News yesterday evening.
Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said:
As we bid farewell to the RAF's first century, we are setting our sights on the next 100 years. Our nation is moving into a new era outside the EU, and our huge achievements in air capability make our commitment to a role on the world stage clear to both our allies and our enemies.
The incredible F-35 jets are ready for operations, a transformed Typhoon has the power to dominate the skies into the 2040s and we continue to look even further into an ambitious future. The RAF has long shown Britain at its great and global best, and today it lifts our nation to even greater heights.
Exercise Toxic Dagger
The Express, Mirror and Press & Journal report that Zulu Company from 45 Commando, based at Arbroath, will now be the first people on the ground should the Royal Marines be called on to deal with a chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear (CBRN) incident at home or abroad. Due to the heightened threat following last year’s incident in Salisbury, the commandos refreshed their skills at the UK’s specialist training centre preparing troops for such forms of chemical warfare.
Lieutenant Oliver Crow of Zulu Company said:
The Royal Marines are high readiness troops who need to be able to react to all threats at short notice anywhere in the world. This is a very important skill for us to maintain in view of the current threat.
Image of the day
