Armée Britannique/British Armed Forces

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Citation :

Commercial Sale of Type 22 Frigates


(Source: UK Ministry of Defence; issued Dec. 17, 2012)



It is the Disposal Services Authority (DSA) intention to invite expressions of interest in tendering for the Type 22 Frigates (HMS Chatham, HMS Campbeltown, HMS Cumberland and HMS Cornwall) for the following:
•Further Use
•Sinking for an Artificial reef
•Recycling

At this stage the DSA does not require interested parties to specify which Vessel/s they wish to bid for.

It is the DSA intention to award at least one vessel to a UK Ship Recycler; this is in part to secure detailed knowledge of the UK’s capacity to recycle vessels. Any decision to award to a UK Ship Recycling company will be made in accordance with transparent and objective evaluation criteria which will be issued at the Invitation to Tender stage.

All interested parties should note that only Bidders that have completed and passed a Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) will be sent an Invitation to Tender (ITT) for the vessels and allowed access to view the vessel.

The vessels are moored at Portsmouth and will be sold from there.

The DSA are planning on hosting viewings 25th February - 15th March 2013.

As previously requested all bidders intending to undertake inspection of the vessels will be required to wear the correct PPE clothing i.e. steel toecap boots, high vis jackets (overalls optional). Please be assured that if you do not have steel toecap boots on arrival you will be refused access to the vessels.

Only Bidders that have received a copy of the ITT will be allowed access to inspect the vessels.

Bidders should not book travel until they have received a copy of the ITT and understood the requirements.

A copy of the PQQ can be down loaded from the bottom of this page or you can e-mail the DSA’s Commercial section requesting a copy at deslcsls-dsa-comrcl-3b@mod.uk

The closing date for returning the PQQ to the DSA and expression of interest is 17.00 GMT Wednesday 23rd January 2013.

-- HMS CUMBERLAND
formally a Warship Frigate F85 was built at Yarrow Shipbuilders, Glasgow UK in 1988 and is now lying at HMNB Portsmouth. The vessel ceased service on the 23rd September 2011 and is due to be tendered early 2013.
All interested parties should beware that only companies that have successfully completed a Pre Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) will be sent an invitation to tender for this vessel.

-- HMS CAMPBELTOWN
formally a Warship Frigate F86 was built at Cammell Laird ship yard Birkenhead UK in 1987 and is now lying at HMNB Portsmouth. The vessel ceased service on the 7th July 2011 and is due to be tendered early 2013.
All interested parties should beware that only companies that have successfully completed a Pre Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) will be sent an invitation to tender for this vessel.

-- HMS CHATHAM
formally a Warship Frigate F87 was built at Swan Hunters Shipbuilders in Wallsend UK in 1989, and is now lying at HMNB Portsmouth. The vessel ceased service on the 20th October 2011 and is due to be tendered early 2013.
All interested parties should beware that only companies that have successfully completed a Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) will be sent an invitation to tender for this vessel.

-- HMS CORNWALL
formally a Warship, Frigate F99 was built at Yarrow Shipbuilders, Glasgow UK in 1988 and is now lying at HMNB Portsmouth. The vessel ceased service on the 20th October 2011 and is due to be tendered early 2013. All interested parties should beware that only companies that have successfully completed a Pre Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) will be sent an invitation to tender for this vessel.

http://www.defense-aerospace.com/articles-view/release/3/141126/uk-to-sell-off-four-type-22-frigates.html

RAF Nimrod MRA4

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British Army

C Company, 3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment carried out an airborne assault on Salisbury Plain as part of Exercise WESSEX STORM. Some 100 paratroopers jumped from two RAF C-130J Hercules flying at 800 foot onto the Fox Covert drop zone.

The soldiers regrouped on the drop zone and sent out reconnaissance patrols before a night attack to capture the mock village at Copehill Down. After fighting building-by-building and street-by-street to secure the position, they defended it until relieved by the mechanised infantry of 1st Battalion The Scots Guards that night.

Private James Newson, from Grimsby, said: “An overhead assault jump puts us on the ground in a matter of minutes and, if the situation demands it, we would be ready to start fighting as we land. I was the 17th man to jump out of the second aircraft on the first wave, and it was a very impressive sight to see all the parachutes in the sky. Anyone who says they’re not nervous before a jump is lying but, for me, once I’m out of the door training takes over and I’m thinking about the landing and what I need to do on the ground to achieve the mission.”

Major Bob McKay, Officer Commanding C Coy, said: “As we move on from Afghanistan and prepare for the next operational challenges, we are going back to basics in our training and focussing on our core skills as airborne infantry. This particular mission is exactly what The Parachute Regiment was created to do, and it can be found many times in our history – to parachute in, capture a strategic objective by surprise and then hold it until heavier forces can relieve us.” (7 photos)

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Contrat britannique pour le F-35B

Le 24/11/2014 à 17h44, par Guillaume Belan


Premier F-35B britannique © Lockheed Martin  

Le MoD britannique vient d'annoncer avoir signé le contrat pour la production d'un premier lot de 4 F-35B Lightning II, soit la version décollage vertical et atterrissage court du dernier chasseur américain. Cette version doit venir équiper à la fois la RAF et la Royal Navy, qui opérera ces appareils depuis ses portes-aéronefs de la classe Queen Elisabeth. Dans les cinq prochaines années, le MoD doit commander 14 de ces avions de cinquième génération, ainsi que le soutien associé. En parallèle, les équipes d'expérimentation de la Royal Air Force ont mené des tests de tir de missile air-air ASRAAM ainsi que de bombes Paveway IV à partie d'un F35B. Les tirs ont été réalisé depuis une base de l'US Navy à Patuxent River Naval Air Station dans le Maryland. Par ailleurs, début du mois, pour la première fois, un F35C a apponté sur le porte avion USS Nimitz.

Fin de semaine dernière, Lockheed Martin a signé un contrat avec le Pentagone pour fabriquer au titre du lot de production initiale réduite "LRIP 8", 45 F-35, pour un montant de 4,7 Milliards de dollars. Le F35 doit venir équiper l'USAF, le corps des Marines et la Navy. Les clients partenaires vont également recevoir leurs premiers exemplaires (Outre le Royaume-Uni, le Japon, la Norvège, Israel et Italie).

Alors que plus de la moitié des programme d'essais en vol de l'appareil ont été réalisé, plus de 200 F-35/JSF de série ont déjà été commandés, dont près de 180 pour les forces aériennes américaines. Le coût unitaire d'un JSF, selon sa version, serait compris entre 97 et 140 millions de dollars

http://www.air-cosmos.com/2014/11/24/26993-contrat-britannique-pour-le-f-35b

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UK defence helicopter training bid detail emerges


Three bidders – and three different aircraft manufacturers – are in the running to supply a new fleet of helicopters for use by the UK armed forces under the Military Flight Training System (MFTS) programme.

Run by Lockheed Martin-Babcock joint venture Ascent, which delivers MFTS, the contest has attracted responses from Airbus Helicopters UK, Cobham and Elbit Systems.

No further details have been released on any of the bids, but Flightglobal understands that rotorcraft from three separate airframers have been proposed.

Airbus Helicopters is thought to be offering its EC135 and EC145 light and medium twins, Cobham is pitching an AgustaWestland-based solution – likely to be the skid-equipped AW109 Trekker light twin – and Elbit is utilising Bell Helicopter products for its proposal, believed to be the 407.

Paul Livingston, Ascent managing director, declines to reveal the specifics of the offers, but says its request for proposals did not specify a particular rotorcraft type, nor whether it needed to be single- or twin-engined, nor the number required.

“They will pick a platform and work out how many they need in order to provide the number of training hours the Ascent syllabus demands,” he says. “We are confident from Ascent’s point of view that the competition is going to present us with a diverse range of options across these bidders.”

However, Livingston confirms that all the types proposed are “modern helicopters with full glass cockpits”.

Ascent hopes to be able to present its recommended solution to the UK Ministry of Defence by the third quarter of 2015, with a contract award anticipated in early 2016.

Training delivery is scheduled to start from April 2018 at the Royal Air Force's Shawbury base in Shropshire, following the end of Cobham’s contract covering service provision at the Defence Helicopter Flying School at the site in March that year.

The new rotorcraft will replace the current training fleet, which Flightglobal's Ascend Fleets database records as comprising 24 Airbus Helicopters AS350 Squirrel HT1s and 11 Bell 412 Griffin HT2s.

All the bidders decline to comment.

http://www.flightglobal.com

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British Army

Exercise Black Eagle (10 photos)

British soldiers and armoured vehicles took part in Exercise Black Eagle in western Poland this month. Find out more about the exercise here: http://bit.ly/1ytSrkM

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The Royal Irish Regiment

The highlight of last week in 1 R IRISH was D Company conducting a live firing package at Castlemartin Range Complex. This saw the Anti tank Platoon firing a variety of Anti Structure and Anti Armour munitions. D Company were supported by the Assault Pioneer Platoon (Bugles, Pipes and Drums in their combat role) who both built structures and lined up decommissioned British vehicles for the rockets to engage.

There were a large number of successful strikes on both vehicles and buildings, including the first Javelin strike on a moving target conducted in the UK.

The range was both an opportunity for analysis of weapons damage, as well as a priceless training opportunity for the Anti Tank platoon.

Faugh a Ballagh (5 photos)

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HMS Queen Elizabeth: The sensitive aircraft carrier issue




It's quite likely that the first squadron of fighters to operate from the Royal Navy's new aircraft carrier will belong to the US Marines rather than Britain, naval insiders have told me.

Asked about such a scenario on Newsnight, General Lord David Richards, until earlier this year the UK's top serviceman, said it "would make good sense".

Under current plans there will be a gap in 2019-2020 in which HMS Queen Elizabeth will be ready but not its British air squadron, whereas the Americans are taking delivery of more aircraft and doing so more quickly.

If an emergency like the 2011 Nato bombing of Libya were to occur, the Royal Navy's new flagship might then go into battle as a platform for US jets.

So if the US Marines can fill in for a couple of years, and there's a long history of co-operation anyway, what's the problem?
Totemic carrier

The answer lies in the enormous sensitivity of the aircraft carrier issue, as a totem of the UK and Royal Navy's global ranking, as well as in looming threats to the defence budget with cuts expected after the general election.

Possession of an aircraft carrier, particularly one with powerful strike aircraft capable of hitting targets ashore as well as defending a fleet from air attack, has long been regarded as a totemic thing for the Royal Navy.

Admirals talk about remaining "in the first division of navies".

It was the cancellation of such a ship in 1966 that caused the resignation of both the First Sea Lord and a minister.

http://www.bbc.com

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1er RCA

Depuis plus d’un mois et demi, quelques cinquante soldats d’une compagnie du régiment d’infanterie 4th Rifles de l’armée de Terre britannique sont formés à la mise en œuvre du VBCI par les cadres du 4e escadron du 1er RCA. Après plusieurs semaines de simulation, de manipulation et de pilotage de l’engin blindé de transport de troupes nouvelle génération de l’armée de Terre, les infantrymen anglais sont prêts à mettre leurs nouveaux savoir-faire en application lors de manœuvres dans le camp de Mourmelon au 1er semestre 2015.
Cette formation intervient dans le cadre d’un projet de coopération bilatérale (Brittany) permettant aux britanniques de mener une expérimentation tactique du VBCI et du CAESAR. L’objectif est de permettre à la British Army de mieux appréhender son besoin futur en blindés et moyens d’appui feu sol-sol tout en renforçant l’interopérabilité entre les deux Armées de Terre.
Le 25 novembre, ils recevaient la visite de l’attaché militaire près l’ambassadeur de Grande-Bretagne en France.

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UK RAF welcomes first A400M to Brize Norton

The UK Royal Air Force has welcomed its first Airbus A400M Atlas tactical transport for training use, as the service makes preparations to stand up its first operational squadron with the type early next year.

Lead aircraft ZM400 was formally revealed at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire on 27 November, some 10 days after it arrived on its delivery flight from Airbus Defence & Space's final assembly site in Seville, Spain.

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Crown Copyright

It was flown again the day after its receipt, before remaining on the ground due to an undisclosed technical fault, the RAF says. The transport was used to support ground-based training during this period, but is due to be returned to flight status by the end of the week, the service adds.

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Airbus Defence & Space

The first of 22 A400Ms on order for the UK, production aircraft MSN15 will be followed swiftly by several other RAF examples, with two more expected to be handed over before year-end. The second aircraft was transferred to Airbus's Getafe site near Madrid on 26 November to have its defensive aids system equipment installed, the service says, while a first flight date will soon be set for its third example.

Despite a roughly two-month delay to ZM400 arriving at Brize Norton, programme officials still expect the RAF to be able to declare initial operational capability with the transport in March 2015, following the acceptance of its first seven aircraft and the availability of sufficient trained crews to operate them.

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All 22 of the UK's new aircraft will be in use by 2018, with the type to progressively assume responsibility from the RAF's Lockheed Martin C-130Js. This process will start next year, with Atlas crews beginning the process by initially performing strategic transport tasks, the service says. The A400M will also have full capability to support special forces operations by the time the last Hercules leave use in 2022, says Wg Cdr Doz James, officer commanding the 24 Sqn training unit at Brize Norton.

Activities are already under way at the A400M Training Services-run "school house", with a test intake of instructors currently using the facility before 70 Sqn's lead instructors start their course in January. The facility has equipment including one full-flight simulator and maintenance trainers now in use.

Welcoming the new arrival, minister for defence equipment, support and technology Philip Dunne notes that the aircraft has been introduced "on time against the re-baselined contract profile, and on-budget".

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Airbus Defence & Space

The type's introduction with the UK military has also been eagerly anticipated by the aircraft's manufacturer. "We see the RAF's use of the A400M as being the central pillar of a government-supported export strategy," says Airbus UK president Paul Kahn.

Meanwhile, Airbus Defence & Space executive vice-president military aircraft Domingo Ureña Raso says a new sale of the A400M could still be finalised before the end of the year. "We are working very hard," he says, pointing to market interest in the type from Latin America, the Middle East and Asia. "We are working with several countries, and the interest is going up.”

"A contract could not be so far away," he adds, noting: "there are air forces who need to replace a lot of old capabilities."

http://www.flightglobal.com

Citation :

British Army

More than 80 soldiers from the 1st Battalion the Mercian Regiment have been putting their skills to the test as they completed the new Warrior Tactical Turret Commander’s Course on the Salisbury Plain Training Area.

The regiment has been the first to undertake the course which has been designed to provide tactical experience to personnel. With the switch of focus post-Afghanistan to Combined Arms Manoeuvre, the course will reinvigorate a skills base that can be used by the Army looking to future operations.

Captain Chris Groves who ran the course said: “This is the first exercise a lot of these soldiers have done on Warrior. Some of these soldiers have come from the old 1 and 2 Mercian, so they have a light infantry background and now they are converting to armoured infantry.

“We are fortunate in the Mercian's that our old 3rd Battalion was armoured infantry and those who have transferred over are helping to spread the armoured experience as we work toward deploying to Canada at the end of 2015”

The Commanding Officer of 1 Mercian, Lieutenant Colonel Mark Ellwood, was also present to oversee the exercise: “This is the type of professionalization of the armoured infantry capability as we re-energise our core role and I think this is part of that going forward.”

“The skills I’ve seen today have filled me with enormous optimism and I think we will be more than able to prove our worth when we go out to Canada next year” (4 photos)

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UK retains Chinooks in Afghanistan






The UK has retained a number of Boeing Chinook transport helicopters in Afghanistan to support personnel assigned to the NATO training and advisory mission in the country, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed to IHS Jane's on 28 November.

Three of the Royal Air Force (RAF) Chinooks previously assigned to operations in Helmand Province in southern Afghanistan have been relocated to Kabul to support the servicemen that remain in the country following the wider withdrawal of UK forces last month.

"We have three Chinooks based in Kabul to support the few hundred personnel remaining in country for the NATO train, advise and assist mission. As an example, this would include the UK personnel based at the Afghan National Army Officer Academy (ANAOA) just outside Kabul, and those based in advisory positions within the Afghan defence ministries," a ministry statement read.

With this confirmation, the Chinooks become the last UK air assets to remain in Afghanistan following the announcement in mid-November that all UK forces had now left. While the RAF's Panavia Tornado GR.4 strike aircraft were withdrawn to much fanfare in mid-November, there has been no public announcement related to the other air assets in theatre, beyond the general announcements about UK forces having left their main area of operations in southern Afghanistan.

Other UK air assets stationed in Afghanistan comprised the RAF's General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), a number of which have now been transferred to operations over Iraq, as well as the British Army's AgustaWestland-Boeing Apache AH.1 attack helicopters, AgustaWestland Lynx AH.9A support helicopters, and Thales Watchkeeper WK450 UAVs. All of these are now understood to either be back in the UK or in transit back to the UK.

In July, military sources disclosed to IHS Jane's that the upgraded Westland/Aerospatiale SA 330E Puma HC.2 medium-lift transport helicopter may be deployed to Kabul in 2015 to help support the NATO training mission in Afghanistan. In response, the MoD stated: "The precise detail and exact composition of the UK military footprint [in Afghanistan after 2014] is still to be decided."
COMMENT

This MoD statement regarding the retention of some Chinooks in Kabul demonstrates that NATO and the West was never going to be able (or even willing) to make a clean break from Afghanistan with the cessation of combat operations at the end of 2014.

If the democratic Afghan government is to survive the expected onslaught from the Taliban, then it is essential that Western forces remain in the country to continue the training that they have already begun for the Afghan National Security Forces.

It is likely that this training and support will need to be maintained for many months, and probably years, and so further helicopter and other aircraft deployments associated with this mission are very likely to take place in the future.

It should also be noted that while this MoD confirmation suggests the three Chinooks are the last remaining UK air assets left in Afghanistan, the UK government refuses to comment on its special forces. As such, there may well be additional UK aircraft still operating clandestinely in the country.

http://www.janes.com

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RAF completes first Paveway IV in-service releases from Typhoon

The Royal Air Force (RAF) has completed the first in-service releases of the Raytheon Paveway IV precision-guided bomb from a Eurofighter Typhoon.

1(Fighter) Squadron, based at RAF Lossiemouth, successfully released two live Paveway IV weapons at Cape Wrath Training Area on 25 November as part of the squadron's work up with the new Phase One Enhancement (P1Eb) Typhoon capability upgrade.

The week of Paveway IV drops by the Lossiemouth-based squadron followed on from flight trials earlier in November that culminated in the release of two Paveway IVs simultaneously from a Typhoon. This event marked the first multiple release of this particular weapon from an RAF Typhoon to multiple targets, and was conducted by a joint industry and RAF team using the instrumented test aircraft BT017.

Commenting on the latest in-service releases, Officer Commanding 1(Fighter) Squadron, Wg Cdr Mike Sutton, said, "This is another landmark moment for the Typhoon Force, and highlights the aircraft's potent swing-role capability. The swing-role capability of the Typhoon ensures that we are well equipped to respond to the challenges of contingent operations across the globe, while also maintaining the security of UK skies through the delivery of Quick Reaction Alert, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year."

The squadron conducted a total of eight Paveway IV drops during the week of 24 November, with a mix of profiles including GPS and laser guidance; pre-planned and target of opportunity using the pilot's Helmet Equipment Assembly (HEA); and employing both impact and airburst fusing settings on the weapon. Plans are afoot for the squadron to release a further 20 Paveway IVs during their deployment to the United States for Exercise 'Red Flag' in January 2015. The unit's Tranche 2 Typhoons will conduct the first fully swing-role training sorties, day and night, during the exercise.

The eagerly awaited P1Eb upgrade brings full air-to-surface capability for the Tranche 2 aircraft. It provides enhancements to the Litening III Laser Designator Pod (LDP) and the HEA as well as with Paveway IV. The LDP can now also be used seamlessly with the HEA to visually identify air tracks at long range, as well as identifying, tracking and targeting points on the ground. The Paveway IV offers increased precision, stand-off, and flexibility of employment, and the Typhoon can release a number of weapons to different targets in a single pass. BAE Systems test pilot Steve Formoso commented, "P1Eb standard Typhoons can carry up to six Paveway IV weapons, which can be released simultaneously against multiple targets."

The Paveway IV is already in service with the RAF on board its Panavia Tornado strike aircraft, and has been ordered by the Royal Saudi Air Force.

http://www.janes.com

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16 Air Assault Brigade

Exercise GREEN MAELSTROM has seen 3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment (3 PARA) put through its paces and celebrate one of its heroes.
The training, on the arduous terrain of the Otterburn Ranges in Northumbria, focussed on building up the paratroopers' skills in carrying out live fire section attacks, both by day and at night.
The McKay VC Competition was also held to test the unit's wider military abilities. Troops in full battle rig take part in a 15km night navigation exercise including stands testing their signalling, medical and parachute packing skills; an assault course; and live fire section attacks.
The competition honours the memory of Sergeant Ian McKay, who was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross for his "outstanding selflessness, perseverance and courage" during the Falklands War in 1982. Sgt McKay VC was killed during the assault on Mount Longdon when he attacked an Argentine position alone and under heavy fire.

Photos: Sgt Si Longworth, MoD Crown Copyright. (6 photos)

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Le Royaume-Uni ouvre une nouvelle base militaire à Bahreïn


Londres, 6 déc 2014 (AFP) -

Le Royaume-Uni a signé un accord avec Bahreïn pour développer ses installations militaires dans le pays, créant ainsi formellement la première base britannique permanente au Moyen-Orient depuis 1971, a indiqué dans la nuit de vendredi à samedi le Foreign Office.

Bahreïn est membre de la coalition organisée par les Etats-Unis pour mener des frappes aériennes en Syrie contre le groupe extrémiste Etat islamique (EI).

Cet accord vise à renforcer la coopération dans la lutte contre les menaces sécuritaires présentes au Moyen-Orient, ont indiqué le ministre britannique des Affaires étrangères Philip Hammond et son homologue bahreïni le cheikh Khaled ben Ahmed ben Mohammed Al Khalifa. L'accord a été signé à Manama en marge de la 10e édition du "Dialogue de Manama" organisée par l'Institut international d'études stratégiques (IISS).

Il "permettra d'améliorer les installations terrestres (...) dans le port de Mina Salman à Bahreïn où le Royaume-Uni dispose de façon permanente de quatre bateaux démineurs et d'où les navires de guerre britanniques et les frégates présentes dans le Golfe sont approvisionnés", a précisé le ministère britannique des Affaires étrangères.

"Selon l'accord, le Royaume-Uni prévoit de renforcer les installations existantes dans le port, offrant ainsi à la Royal Navy une base opérationnelle avancée permettant de stocker des équipements en vue d'opérations navales et d'héberger du personnel de la Royal Navy", a-t-il ajouté.

"Cette nouvelle base accroît de manière permanente la présence de la Royal Navy et va permettre au Royaume-Uni d'envoyer davantage de bateaux, et de plus grande taille, afin de renforcer la stabilité dans le Golfe", a déclaré le ministre britannique de la Défense Michael Fallon.

La construction de cette base coûtera 15 millions de livres (19 millions d'euros).

La décision en 1968 du gouvernement britannique de l'époque de retirer l'ensemble des forces armées stationnées dans les pays du Golfe a donné lieu à la création des Emirats arabes unis, et à l'indépendance du Qatar et de Bahreïn. Le retrait effectif des troupes britanniques s'est terminé en décembre 1971.

Depuis, le Royaume-Uni a déployé des troupes en Irak entre 2003 et 2009 sur la base temporaire de Bassorah, après l'invasion du pays par la coalition dirigée par les Etats-Unis.

Le pays dispose de deux bases militaires souveraines à Chypre.

http://www.marine-oceans.com/actualites-afp/9315-le-royaume-uni-ouvre-une-nouvelle-base-militaire-a-bahrein

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HMS Defender transiting the Suez Canal  

Ajoutée le 8 déc. 2014

With HMS Defender due to arrive home before Christmas we thought you might like to rewind to the beginning of
her six-month deployment to the Gulf and see our video of her transiting the famous Suez Canal. To see more
about what the Type 45 destroyer has been doing please visit http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/our-organ...

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Armed Forces have critical shortage of submariners, intelligence officers and medics

Report reveals hundreds of skilled soldiers, sailors and airmen are missing from Armed Forces, undermining operations


The Armed Forces face a critical shortage of specialist servicemen, including intelligence officers, gunners and submariners, a report reveals.

The RAF, Navy and Army are missing more than 1,700 skilled service personnel in 43 different jobs that defence officials admit is having a “measurable and detrimental impact on operations”.

It is being exacerbated as soldiers, sailors and airmen leave the Services in search of higher pay and better conditions in civilian life.

The shortfall comes as the Government shrinks the defence budget, cutting the size of the Army by 20,000.

Separate figures disclosed by the Ministry of Defence shows that thousands of servicemen are spending longer away from home on operations than they should, in breaches of so-called harmony rules.

Some 15 Navy roles, 25 Army roles and three RAF roles have been designated as ‘Operational Pinch Points’, meaning there is a shortage of trained officers and other ranks to the extent that missions are undermined.

In the Navy include a shortfall of 195 marine engineers – some 35 per cent of the fleet – and 175 weapons engineers, or 45 per cent.

There is a shortfall of 60 nuclear watch keepers, equivalent to 15 per cent of the full-strength. The seamen are responsible for monitoring the nuclear reactors on submarines.

There is also shortage of 50 mine warfare specialists and 80 underwater warfare specialists, equivalent to 30 per cent. They are responsible for protecting Royal Navy vessels from mine and torpedo attack.

Some 100 cooks, or 20 per cent of the full strength, are missing.

Other shortages fall amongst hydrographic specialists, who map the oceans and are critical for conducting naval warfare, operators of the Phalanx anti-ship missile system and coxwains.

The Royal Navy is considering new bonus payments to stem what it warned was an “unsustainable” exodus of sailors to the private sector.

“Personnel in these areas are attractive to external organisations and are a challenge to replace due to long training pipelines,” it warned, in the Ministry of Defence’s annual report, published last week.

Shortages in the Army are centred on the Army Medical Services, the Intelligence Corps and the Royal Engineers.

There are shortages of up to 60 per cent of senior non-commissioned officers responsible for logistics.

There is a shortfall of 90 corporals and sergeant operators of electronic warfare systems in the Royal Signals – equivalent to 40 per cent of full strength.

The Army is missing around 100 medics, including intensive care, trauma and burns nurses and surgeons.

In the Intelligence Corps, there is a shortage of 100 linguists, equivalent to 45 per cent of the full strength, and 10 interrogators, or 20 per cent.

The report warned: “Despite the reduced footprint in Afghanistan, all OPPs will not be resolved quickly."

The RAF is lacking in intelligence officers and police officers, and needs 235 RAF Regiment Gunners, equivalent to 10 per cent of the full-strength.

Troops in a pinch-point role are exempt from compulsory redundancies.

Under harmony guidelines, sailors are entitled to spend no more than 660 days away from home over three years. The figure is 498 days for soldiers and 468 for RAF personnel.

All three services missed the target in the three years to April 2014, with the Army worst affected, with nearly one in 25 soldiers spending more time away from home than they should.

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: “The MOD is committed to reducing the number of Operational Pinch Points.

“The annual report shows the picture from April 2014, and as we have been drawing down from Afghanistan over the last nine months the number of pinch points has been reducing as expected.”


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/defence/11276821/Armed-Forces-have-critical-shortage-of-submariners-intelligence-officers-and-medics.html

c'est pas sérieux tout ça....
Avoir 2 PA,des SNA et SNLE et ne pas pouvoir faire la loi chez soi ces limites.....
http://www.corlobe.tk/spip.php?article36761

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GDUK to provide mission system equipment for Royal Navy AW101 Merlin Mk4/4a helicopter

General Dynamics UK has been awarded a contract by AgustaWestland to provide mission system equipment for UK AW101 Merlin Mk4/4a helicopters. This contract is part of the Merlin Life Sustainment Programme (MLSP), which was awarded to AgustaWestland by the UK Ministry of Defence in January 2014 to convert 25 AW101 Merlin helicopters for maritime operations.

General Dynamics UK has been awarded a contract by AgustaWestland to provide mission system equipment for UK AW101 Merlin Mk4/4a helicopters. This contract is part of the Merlin Life Sustainment Programme (MLSP), which was awarded to AgustaWestland by the UK Ministry of Defence in January 2014 to convert 25 AW101 Merlin helicopters for maritime operations.
As part of the Merlin Life Sustainment Programme (MLSP) the Royal Navy is set to receive the Royal Air Force’s Merlin HC3/3A medium-heavy battlefield helicopter fleet, while simultaneously upgrading its existing set of Merlin HM Mk1s. Picture: Agusta Westland

The mission system equipment that will be delivered by General Dynamics UK includes a Tactical Processing System and Secure Data Recorder, which will provide increased performance and capability onboard the helicopters.

General Dynamics UK is a world-leading provider of Tactical Processing Systems, which integrates a diverse range of sensor and application information for display in the cockpit, encrypted data storage and tactical datalink capability. The company's Tactical Processing System is currently installed on the UK and export variants of the AgustaWestland AW159 Lynx Wildcat helicopter.

General Dynamics UK has been awarded a contract by AgustaWestland to provide mission system equipment for UK AW101 Merlin Mk4/4a helicopters. This contract is part of the Merlin Life Sustainment Programme (MLSP), which was awarded to AgustaWestland by the UK Ministry of Defence in January 2014 to convert 25 AW101 Merlin helicopters for maritime operations.
A Royal Navy Merlin HM Mk1 Hovering above a Royal Navy SSN. Picture: Agusta Westland

The Secure Data Recorder provides an accredited security solution that allows a user operating in unfriendly environments to safely record and store data for further use. Qualified for manned and unmanned platforms operating in the air, on land and in maritime environments, the Secure Data Recorder enables the transfer of data on and off all types of platforms using an easily inserted encrypted memory cartridge. Typical data transfers include the uploading of mission and digital map data, along with the extraction of recorded data such as radar and electro-optical sensors, voice and data communications and tactical mission data.

Steve Rowbotham, chief operating officer at General Dynamics UK, said: "This contract continues the successful long-term collaborative relationship between General Dynamics UK and AgustaWestland. It is testament to the advanced mission systems provided by General Dynamics UK, which are currently installed on a range of fixed-wing and rotary platforms around the world.

"General Dynamics UK is a key provider of technology onto Eurofighter Typhoon, Tornado and the UK AW159 Lynx Wildcat platforms. The company has more than 50 years of experience providing advanced electronic solutions for the air, maritime and land markets.

http://www.navyrecognition.com

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HMS Richmond Seawolf missile firing  

Ajoutée le 12 déc. 2014

With a flash of fire and smoke Royal Navy warship HMS Richmond has bared her teeth as she blasted
targets into oblivion using two Seawolf missiles.

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UK Warship Fires Supersonic Surface To Air Missile


The United Kingdom's Royal Navy warship HMS Richmond displayed its military prowess as it pulverised targets during test fires of two Seawolf missiles. The live firing exercise was conducted on Dec 12 off the South coast.

HMS Richmond is UK's Type 23 frigate with the Seawolf Missile System giving the warship its anti-air warfare capability. The warship is an agile, adaptable, multi-purpose frigate that may be deployed at short notice in a wide variety of scenarios, Weapon Engineer Officer Lieutenant Commander Jim Sampson said in a statement.

To put Seawolf missiles power in perspective, Sampson said it could detect its target enemy in a matter of seconds somewhere around the North and South even when placed in the middle of the busy motorway of M25. M25 is a border that separates London from the rest of the UK.

Seawolf missile is a short range, fast reaction, supersonic, surface to air missile specially designed to make a ship capable of self-defence against anti-ship missiles. Seawolf can deter multiple missile attack and can intercept 114mm shells with precision, according to Deagel.com. The missile is equipped with a tracker sub-sytem, guiding it during enemy target tracking. It has guidance antennas constructed on its missile rear-face wings for précised countermeasures.

UK begun its 260 million-euro Seawolf Mid-life Update or SWMLU in November of 2000. To date, both of UK's Royal Navy's Type 22 and Type 23 frigates are now equipped with the Seawolf missile system.

The test firing conducted on Dec 12 proved that HMS Richmond is more than capable of launching the Seawolf missile system. "This type of firing proves she is capable of just that - there is no substitute for a live firing to confirm the system is working correctly and can deal with the latest threats. Whilst a lot of preparation goes into a peacetime missile firing, the Seawolf system is always ready to go at extremely short notice," Sampson highlighted.

HMS Richmond is well trained and well drilled in handling the firings of Seawolf missiles, Gunnery Officer Lieutenant Commander Paul Irving concurred. The ship will be ready for deployment in 2015.

http://au.ibtimes.com

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Babcock to Deliver, Convert Phalanx 1B CIWS for Royal Navy Queen Elizabeth Aircraft Carrier




Babcock, in association with Raytheon, is to deliver four Phalanx 1B kits and convert four land Phalanx Weapons Systems to their original marinised configuration to provide naval Close-In Weapon Systems (CIWS) capability (the UK's primary defence for ships against anti-ship missiles), under a contract awarded by the UK MoD, with three of the four Phalanx kits adding to the defensive capability of the Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier.

Babcock, in association with Raytheon, is to deliver four Phalanx 1B kits and convert four land Phalanx Weapons Systems to their original marinised configuration to provide naval Close-In Weapon Systems (CIWS) capability (the UK's primary defence for ships against anti-ship missiles), under a contract awarded by the UK MoD, with three of the four Phalanx kits adding to the defensive capability of the Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier.
Phalanx Close-In Weapon System
Picture: Raytheon

Babcock is the in-service support provider to the MoD for Phalanx systems under a long-term availability contract awarded in 2006, managing and executing all upkeep support activities, including a 24/7 helpdesk for the Royal Navy, as well as providing logistics support for spares and repairable units. The company is also under contract to upgrade 16 Phalanx systems to the 1B configuration in an on-going programme.

The latest contract to provide a further four Phalanx 1B kits and four conversions, which follows a similar contract awarded last year for four kits and two conversions, will be delivered under an amendment to the existing support and upgrade contract. Babcock will procure the Phalanx 1B systems in partnership with the original equipment manufacturer Raytheon, and will undertake the land-based Phalanx weapon system conversions using Babcock weapons support engineers. The systems are to be delivered by March 2015.

Raytheon Company signed a $123 million contract to deliver nine Phalanx Block 1B Close-In Weapon Systems to the Republic of Korea Navy. Under the direct commercial sale, the largest ever for the Phalanx program, Raytheon will deliver the Phalanx systems for installation aboard the FFX Batch II frigate-class ships and AOE II-class fast combat support ships.
Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier
Picture: Copyright MoD

Babcock Weapons Business Manager, Martin Laity, said: “Following the successful on-schedule delivery of a similar contract last year, we are delighted to have this further opportunity to apply our expertise and work with Raytheon to help the MoD and Royal Navy build the Phalanx CIWS capability it needs. Babcock is already known for our weapon support work for the UK MoD and our expertise in the assembly, test and setting to work of naval weapon systems, with upgrade and long term support contracts for the 4.5 inch Mk8 Mod1 Gun as well as the Phalanx CIWS. We are well placed to support the MoD and Royal Navy in meeting this further Phalanx capability upgrade.”

A spokesperson for DE&S added: “We are pleased to have signed this £20m contract with Babcock to provide the Royal Navy with this advanced Close-In Weapons System. Three of the four Phalanx kits will go on to add to the defensive capability of the Queen Elizabeth Carrier and we look forward to working with our counterparts in industry to ensure this important requirement is met.”

Phalanx CIWS is a rapid-fire, computer-controlled radar and 20mm Gatling gun system. The Phalanx 1B upgrade incorporates a side-mounted Forward Looking Infra-Red Camera (FLIR) enabling the CIWS to defend the ship against surface targets and slow air targets in addition to anti-ship missiles.

http://www.navyrecognition.com

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Ultra Electronics awarded contract for Royal Navy Sonar 2050 Technology Refresh Programme


Ultra Electronics announces that its Sonar Systems business, based in Greenford, Middlesex, has been awarded a £27m contract for the Royal Navy’s Sonar 2050 Technology Refresh (S2050TR) Programme.

Ultra Electronics announces that its Sonar Systems business, based in Greenford, Middlesex, has been awarded a £27m contract for the Royal Navy’s Sonar 2050 Technology Refresh (S2050TR) Programme.Type 23 frigate of the Royal Navy. Ultra will deliver and support new hull mounted sonars for the Royal Navy’s eight Type-23 frigates. Picture: Royal Navy

Under this contract, which will be executed over the next 10 years, the Group will deliver and support new hull mounted sonars for the Royal Navy’s eight Type-23 frigates. The S2050 Technology Refresh programme will deliver, to the Royal Navy, a world-leading sonar capability providing persistent surveillance against submarine and torpedo threats, at a significantly lower through-life cost. Ultra’s capability in sonar leverages technologies from a number of recent overseas wins. The Group is able to offer this advanced system as a low risk solution to the Royal Navy.

Ultra’s sonar capability incorporates a number of world leading solutions, which will help satisfy the growing global market.

Rakesh Sharma, Chief Executive of Ultra commented:
“I am very pleased that Ultra has been awarded the Sonar 2050 Technology Refresh contract. This is a significant opportunity and it demonstrates Ultra's continuing ability to supply and support cutting edge sonar systems to the Royal Navy. We look forward to working with the DE&S team on this programme.”

http://www.navyrecognition.com

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GB: les femmes soldats bientôt autorisées à combattre en première ligne?


Londres, 19 déc 2014 (AFP) -

Les femmes pourraient bientôt être autorisées à combattre en première ligne dans l'armée britannique, selon un rapport officiel publié vendredi qui estime que, "contrairement aux idées reçues", cela ne "nuirait pas à la cohésion des troupes".

L'idée a l'appui du ministre de la Défense Michael Fallon qui estime que ce sont les capacités et non le genre qui doivent prévaloir dans ce débat.

"J'espère qu'on pourra, après un travail supplémentaire sur les méthodes d'entraînement et l'équipement, ouvrir les postes de combat aux femmes en 2016", a-t-il dit.

Mais plusieurs hauts gradés sont vent debout contre la réforme, tout comme une ancienne femme officier de l'armée, Ashley Merry. "Nous vivons des temps très difficiles. Ce n'est pas le moment d'expérimenter quelque chose qui ne concerne qu'un nombre marginal de postes dans l'armée, juste pour faire dans le politiquement correct", a-t-elle protesté.

La réforme reste conditionnée au résultat des recherches supplémentaires quant aux "exigences physiologiques" d'un positionnement au plus près de l'action, selon le rapport.

En clair, les capacités physiques des femmes soulèvent encore quelques doutes. "Je crois à l'égalité des sexes mais nous sommes différents sur le plan physique", a souligné vendredi matin l'ancien major, Judith Webb, au micro de la BBC.

"Il faut être responsable. Les recherches sur les risques physiologiques seront essentiels pour s'assurer que les missions de combat ne sont pas nuisibles à la santé de nos femmes en service", a tranché le chef des forces armées britanniques, le général Nicholas Houghton.

Pour l'instant, les femmes de l'armée britannique sont autorisées à opérer sur le front mais pas à participer à des missions au contact avec l'ennemi.

Ce règlement les exclut de fait de l'infanterie et de tous les corps armés qui pourraient les exposer à des situations de combat rapproché.

Des femmes pilotent en revanche déjà des avions de chasse de la Royal Air Force, notamment en ce moment au-dessus de l'Irak, et la Royal Navy a levé en début d'année l'interdiction pour les femmes de servir à bord d'un sous-marin.

http://www.marine-oceans.com/actualites-afp/9400-gb-les-femmes-soldats-bientot-autorisees-a-combattre-en-premiere-ligne

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Royal Navy

Lifting off from the standings at Yeovilton for the very last time is one of the Fleet Air Arm’s longest serving aircraft, retired after 35 years’
service.

Painted in the distinctive livery of the Black Cats display team, its home for the final four years of a varied career, this is XZ692, surplus to
requirements as the Lynx helicopter force undergoes transformation to the new Wildcats over the next two and a half years.