Armée Britannique/British Armed Forces

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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

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Des minidrones pour l'armée britannique


Dans Actualité Défense
Publié le 18/09/2015 à 16h39, par Duncan Macrae


Lancement d'un drone Desert Hawk © Crown Copyright


Le retour d’expérience du théâtre Afghan a été concluant. Le MoD britannique décide de maintenir sur le long terme deux petits drones qu’il avait acquis dans le cadre de ses opérations en Afghanistan. Ils font désormais partie des capacités essentielles (« core capability ») telles que définies par l'Etat-major.

Il s’agit d’une part du Desert Hawk de Lockheed Martin (voir photo), un engin de 3,6 kg qui peut emporter une charge d’utile 900 g et rester en l’air pendant 90 minutes pour des missions de renseignement et de surveillance au bénéfice des troupes au sol. Le Desert Hawk a bénéficié recemment d’une modernisation (la version 3.1) assurant, entre autres, une procédure de lancement simplifié, une endurance prolongée et des capteurs améliorés.

Le deuxième engin, désigné Black Hornet, est un « drone de poche » d’un poids de 18 g seulement qui est capable de voler pendant 25 minutes à une vitesse de 10 m/s tout en émettant un flux vidéo grâce à sa caméra intégrée jusqu’à une distance de 1000 m. Le MoD britannique avait commandé dans un premier temps 160 exemplaires du Black Hornet, développé par l'entreprise norvégienne Prox Dynamics.

Suite à la décision du MoD de maintenir les deux systèmes en service dans le long terme, des contrats de soutien, d’une valeur totale de 23 M£, ont été notifiés à Lockheed Martin et au représentant britannique de Prox Dynamics, Marlborough Communications Limited

http://www.air-cosmos.com/des-minidrones-pour-l-armee-britannique-43426

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GDUK contracted Saab for advanced mobile camouflage systems

Defence and security company Saab has received an order from General Dynamics UK to provide Mobile Camouflage Systems for the AJAX, formerly Scout programme. Deliveries are planned until 2022.





The order for the Saab Mobile Camouflage System (MCS) is part of a September 2014 contract awarded to General Dynamics UK by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) covering the delivery of 589 AJAX platforms to the British Army. The vehicle platforms will be delivered to the British Army from 2017 through 2024. The contract between Saab and General Dynamics UK covers MCS systems for the first batch of vehicles to be acquired from the 589 total.

“This order is a clear statement of trust in our skills and know-how. AJAX is one of the most modern armoured vehicle families to enter service in a NATO country, one designed to meet the toughest requirements and excel in all environments. We are proud that our Mobile Camouflage System meets the requirements to enhance the capabilities and mission readiness of these vehicles,” says Görgen Johansson, head of Saab Business Area Dynamics.

“This order is recognition of our continuous development efforts to optimize the MCS and provide efficient survivability against the most potent threats. The contract is a result of the great cooperation between General Dynamics UK and Saab Barracuda since the start of the programme, along with all the efforts made in the ongoing demo phase,” says Anders Wiman, head of Saab business unit Barracuda.

The AJAX programme represents the future of Armoured Fighting Vehicles (AFVs) for the British Army. It provides best-in-class protection and survivability, reliability and mobility with an all-weather intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and recognition (ISTAR) capability. The range of AJAX variants will allow the British Army to conduct sustained, expeditionary, full-spectrum and network-enabled operations with a reduced logistics footprint. AJAX can operate in combined-arms and multinational situations across a wide-range of operating environments.

Saab’s advanced camouflage technology products have been exported to more than 50 countries. Saab offers a unique package of camouflage systems and force protection solutions to decrease an enemy’s ability to detect and engage. These solutions protect personnel, vehicles and base infrastructure against hostile sensors and enemy target acquisition.




http://www.armyrecognition.com/dsei_2015_news_online_show_daily_coverage_report_u/gduk_contracted_saab_for_advanced_mobile_camouflage_systems_41809156.html

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British Army 8×8 infantry fighting vehicle tender expected soon By Dylan Vosman - Sep 21, 2015



British Army C-in-C Gen. Nick Carter has fired the starter’s gun on a program to equip his forces with an eight-wheel-drive armored fighting vehicle by telling an audience at the DSEI defense exhibition here that a program to supply a mechanized infantry vehicle would get underway soon. An MoD official said the new program had yet to enter the concept phase but confirmed there would be a competition for the requirement. There were fears the British could buy the VBCI from France’s Nexter without a competition as part of a deal between the allies under the Anglo-French defense treaty. The winning vehicle will operate alongside the General Dynamics Scout tracked reconnaissance vehicle purchased by the British in a £3.5 billion (US $5.4 billion) production deal last year. General Dynamics showed the first prototype of the turreted version of the vehicle at the show and officially named the family the Ajax. The Ajax and the mechanized infantry vehicle will operate together in a new land joint strike force being put together by the Army in the 2020-2025 time frame.

Read more at: http://defence-blog.com/army/british-army-8x8-infantry-fighting-vehicle-tender-expected-soon.html

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DSEI 2015: British Army considers new MBT in response to Russia's Armata

Tim Ripley, London - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
20 September 2015




Senior British Army officers and procurement officials are examining the future of the BAE Systems Challenger 2 main battle tank (MBT), including possibly buying a new vehicle.

The effort is a continuation of a project launched more than a decade ago to upgrade the British Army's tank fleet, but earlier this year army chiefs ordered a wider effort to look at radical solutions to the increasing obsolescence of the service's 227 Challenger 2s.

Speaking at DSEI in London on 16 September, the head of the British Army, General Sir Nick Carter, confirmed that the future of the Challenger 2 was being considered at the army's highest levels.

Asked if the army was looking to buy a new tank to counter the recently unveiled Russian T-14 Armata, Gen Carter said, "We have got issues with the tanks we've got and if we don't do something about it we will have issues - what we will do is in discussion."

A senior army procurement officer told IHS Jane's that a new MBT was one option being considered, alongside a limited life extension programme (LEP) to replace obsolete parts or a wider upgrade. "We have not decided on the scope of the programme," he said.

Industry sources told IHS Jane's that executives of several armoured vehicle providers had talked to the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) about the future of the Challenger 2, including options for a new MBT.

British Army officers have become increasingly worried about the Challenger 2's effectiveness, particularly the lethality of its L30A1 120mm rifled main gun and its suite of ammunition. One officer told IHS Jane's that "the appearance of the T-14 Armata has had a significant impact and assessments of the new Russian tank's armour and self-defence systems [have] suggested that the Challenger 2's 120mm main armament no longer cuts it".


http://www.janes.com/article/54672/dsei-2015-british-army-considers-new-mbt-in-response-to-russia-s-armata

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DSEI 2015: General Dynamics outlines its proposal for MRV-P

Christopher F Foss, London and Nicholas de Larrinaga, London - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly


General Dynamics is lining itself up for a British Army requirement for about 600 new armoured vehicles, the Multi Role Vehicle - Protected (MRV-P) programme, company officials told IHS Jane's at DSEI 2015.


The projected requirement is for at least 500 MRV-Ps plus 78 battlefield ambulance variants and 27 armoured recovery vehicles (ARVs). As with any UK projected armoured fighting vehicle (AFV) programme, however, the numbers could well change.

According to David Hind, executive director at General Dynamics Land Systems UK, "the user is demanding a combination of survivability and capacity".

To reduce through-lifecycle costs the army is not seeking a brand new vehicle but a military off-the-shelf (MOTS) solution modified to meet UK specific requirements.







http://www.janes.com/article/54694/dsei-2015-general-dynamics-outlines-its-proposal-for-mrv-p

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Le Royaume-Uni pourrait remplacer ses chars Challenger 2

Posté dans Forces terrestres par Laurent Lagneau Le 22-09-2015


« Les chars n’ont plus d’avenir et la Guerre froide est terminée ». Ce type d’argument est généralement avancé quand il s’agit de justifier des coupes budgétaires. Un ancien ministre de la Défense le répétait même à l’envi sur les ondes il y a quelques années alors que les faits démontraient le contraire étant donné que des Leopard 2 canadiens et des Abrams américains ont été utilisés en Afghanistan.

D’autres pays y ont cru en se débarrassant de leurs chars lourds, comme l’ont fait la Belgique, l’Autriche ou encore les Pays-Bas. Ces derniers sont maintenant contraints d’intégrer une brigade mécanisée au sein d’une division allemande pour récupérer – très partiellement – cette capacité.

Pas d’avenir les chars? Ce n’est pas ce que pensent les responsables militaires russes, qui ont dévoilé, à grands renforts de publicité, le T-14 Armata, à l’occasion du 70e anniversaire de la capitulation de l’Allemagne nazie, en mai dernier.

Et avec les événements en Ukraine et les mesures de réassurance décidées par l’Otan en faveur des pays baltes et de la Pologne, le char lourd est de nouveau à la mode dans la mesure où il a récemment été impliqué dans plusieurs manoeuvres majeures. Et c’est sans oublier le déploiement de 80 Leclerc par les Émirats arabes unis au Yémen.

Quoi qu’il en soit, au vu des innovations du dernier né des chars russes, l’état-major de la British Army s’interroge au sujet de l’avenir des 227 Challenger 2 encore en service.

Des études portant sur un programme de mise à niveau (CR2 LEP pour Challenger 2 Life Extension Program) sont pour le moment en cours afin de voir ce qu’il y a lieu de faire pour prolonger leur vie opérationnelle jusqu’en 2035, en particulier en traitant leurs obsolescences .

Mais le développement d’un nouveau char est aussi envisagé. Du moins, c’est ce qu’a affirmé un haut responsable de l’approvisionnement de la British Army à IHS Janes. Et cette information a été confirmée au média spécialisé par plusieurs sources de l’industrie de l’armement terrestre. En tout cas, des échanges à ce sujet ont eu lieu avec le ministère britannique de la Défense (MoD). Sans doute en saura-t-on plus au moment de la publication de la revue stratégique de défense et de sécurité (SDSR), prévue avant la fin de cette année.

Quasiment contemporain du Leclerc (il a eu autant de succès que lui à l’exportation, en trouvant preneur seulement à Oman), le Challenger 2 a la particularité d’être armé par un canon rayé L30A1 incompatible avec les munitions de 120 mm aux normes de l’Otan.

Cette question au sujet des chars a été tranchée en outre-Rhin : le ministère allemand de la Défense a en effet déjà indiqué que des études vont être menées pour remplacer, à terme, le Leopard-2, dont la fin de vie opérationnelle est fixée à 2030. En France, l’option choisie consiste à moderniser les 200 Leclerc encore en parc pour les prolonger jusqu’en 2040. Un contrat de 330 millions d’euros a été notifié à cette fin à Nexter en mars dernier.



http://www.opex360.com/2015/09/22/le-royaume-uni-pourrait-remplacer-ses-chars-challenger-2/

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PHOTOS - En vol avec les escadrons britanniques centenaires

22 Septembre 2015

Rédigé par Loïc et publié depuis Overblog


Si l'Armée de l'Air française dispose d'un important nombre d'escadrons historiques et prestigieux, comme le Régiment de Chasse 2/30 "Normandie-Niémen", le Groupe de Chasse 1/2 "Cigognes, ou l'Escadron de Chasse 2/5 "Ile de France", la Royal Air Force n'est pas en reste puisqu'elle aussi elle met en oeuvre des escadrons centenaires évoluant sur Tornado ou Typhoon.

C'est dans ce cadre là qu'il y a plusieurs jours maintenant, la base aérienne anglaise de Marham, en coopération avec celle de Lossiemouth, a organisé un vol d'entraînement commun, permettant également la prise d'une série de photographies de quatre escadrons britanniques centenaires, tous équipés de Tornado GR.4, spécialisés dans l'attaque au sol, ou de GR.1, utilisés pour la défense aérienne. Le cinquième appareil est porteur d'une livrée réalisée à l'occasion des 40 ans du Tornado au sein de la Royal Air Force.

Chaque aéronef dispose d'une livrée spéciale sur l'ensemble de sa dérive, et parfois, sur certaines parties du fuselage, toutes réalisées en collaboration avec une entreprise britannique et certains militaires des escadrons.

Rich Davies, commandant de la base de Marham, et qui a piloté un des cinq Tornado lors de cette mission, a déclaré que c'est "avec un énorme sentiment de fierté que je suis en mesure de leader cette formation unique de chaque avion qui célèbrent leurs 100 ans. Il est incroyable de penser qu'il y a cinq escadrons, évoluant sur le même type d'avion, et qui commémorent leur centenaire dans les 12 mois l'un après l'autre. L'avion peut avoir beaucoup changé au cours des ans, la philosophie et le travail d'équipe qui attire les escadrons ensemble est la même aujourd'hui, comme elle l'était pour les membres de l'escadron il y a 100 ans".

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Photos : (c) Royal Air Force / UK Crown.

http://www.defens-aero.com/2015/09/photos-en-vol-avec-les-escadrons-britanniques-centenaires.html

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Royal Navy’s New Wildcat Helicopter Demos During Gulf Heat Trials
By UK Ministry of Defence -September 21, 2015




The Royal Navy’s newest helicopter wowed as it was tested to the limit in the searing heat of the Gulf. Wildcat – which will provide the aerial eyes and punch of British destroyers and frigates for a generation – spent a fortnight flying in punishing temperatures in the Middle East during key trials with destroyer HMS Duncan.

It is the first time the new helicopter – normally based with 825 Naval Air Squadron in Yeovilton – has experienced such extreme heat.

Both HMS Duncan’s crew and the test pilots were pleased with the six-tonne 150mph aircraft’s performance, with Wildcat even managing to land backwards on the flight deck as the destroyer powered through the Gulf.

The destroyer chased the hottest weather – up to 45˚C (113˚F) – the thinnest air and the strongest winds to push the helicopter to its limits and help write the manual for when Wildcat is committed for a full tour of duty east of Suez.

Wildcat is replacing the long-serving Lynx with one helicopter already six months into its first front-line deployment with HMS Lancaster, patrolling the Atlantic.

“Working hand in hand with the trials team, HMS Duncan has helped push Wildcat to the very limits of its operating envelope,” said Commander Richard Atkinson.

But despite four years of extensive trials to ready the helicopter for operations, it’s never been tested in the extreme heat of the Gulf.

The large hangar and expansive flight deck of HMS Duncan, which is escorting USS Theodore Roosevelt on operations against ISIS forces, meant the destroyer could continue normal duties with its Lynx helicopter alongside the Wildcat trials.

Lead test pilot Lieutenant Commander Stuart Irwin singled out his engineers for doing “an outstanding job in the punishing midday and afternoon heat of the Gulf”.

They not only looked after the Wildcat’s engines, avionics and sensors, but donned protective suits to repeatedly refuel the helicopter on the flight deck and load dummy torpedoes “maintaining their impeccable professionalism and sense of humour throughout,” he added.

The specially-modified Wildcat, fitted with sensors and instruments to record how the engines, flight controls and tail rotor handled, was packed aboard an RAF C17 transporter and flown to Bahrain, hub of the Royal Navy’s operations in the Gulf before arriving on HMS Duncan.

As well as the aircraft there was an 18-strong team of aircrew, engineers, technicians and aviation experts.

HMS Duncan’s Commanding Officer Commander Richard Atkinson said the Wildcat trials had “surpassed expectations.

“Working hand in hand with the trials team, HMS Duncan has helped push Wildcat to the very limits of its operating envelope. I am delighted that we’ve has contributed to the development of this potent new helicopter.”

Lieutenant Gus Munro, one of the destroyer’s Principal Warfare Officers, added: “It’s quite an aircraft. The capability it will bring to the war-fighter will be a real game-changer.

“The fact that you can land it facing astern is particularly impressive. Now we know how it flies, I’m looking forward to testing the weapons and sensors to see how it fights.”

HMS Duncan deployed from Portsmouth in March and is due to continue her deployment to the Middle East ensuring security and freedom of navigation in the region until the end the year.




http://www.defencetalk.com/royal-navys-new-wildcat-helicopter-demos-during-gulf-heat-trials-65445/

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Lockheed Sees its SC-130J Sea Herc as The Affordable Solution to Answer UK Future MPA Needs

During DSEI 2015 which took place in London from 15-18 September, Lockheed Martin was showcasing a scale model of the SC-130J Sea Herc Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft (MPRA). Keith Muir, Business Development Manager at Lockheed Martin UK, told Navy Recognition that "the SC-130J Sea Herc is a very cost effective and truly UK solution" to the future MPA need.



Lockheed Martin strongly believes it has the most cost effective solution as its plan is to convert up to 10 short fuselage C-130J Hercules. We were explained that these 10 Royal Air Force aircraft are to be taken out of service starting in 2016 as part of the latest SDSR (Uk's Strategic Defence and Security Review). Lockheed stresses that there is still plenty of flight hours left in these 10 transport aircraft.

Another factor that contributes to the SC-130J affordability is its commonality with the existing Royal Navy Merlin Mk2: Lockheed plans to use the same mission systems of the Merlin onboard the Sea Herc. While the Merlin has two operator consoles, the SC-130J would be fitted with 5 similar workstations in a palletized roll on roll off payload. This way the SC-130J would still have the ability to conduct transport missions.

Finally, Lockheed Martin insists the Sea Herc is a truly UK solution as 80% of the work to be conducted on the SC-130J would be done in the United Kingdom.

Lockheed Martin thinks the UK MPA requirement will include capability to conduct missions over sea as well as land. MPAs don't have to be limited to the maritime domain: For example, French Navy ATL2 MPA routinely deploy on missions above Iraq where their ISR sensors prove effective to support fighters on the ground and in the air alike. Lockheed says its C-130 range has already proven its ability to conduct combat missions thanks to the KC-130J Harvest Hawk variant, which is fitted with a weapon mission kit including AGM-114 Hellfires air to ground missions.

Specific equipment fitted on the SC-130J includes a belly mounted radar (we asked if the radar may be Thales new Searchmaster but we were told that no radar selection has been made yet and that Lockheed may integrate any type of radar chosen by the British MoD), EO/IR sensors and an optional MAD (magnetic anomaly detector) at the tail.



To deploy effectors, SC-130J is fitted with two conformal sponsons for 4 to 6 torpedoes and with underwing pylons for two anti-ship missiles or four air-to-ground missiles (per pylon). A carousel is fitted Inside the aircraft to drop sonobuyos. To facilitate the work of operators during ASW missions, Lockheed Martin has developed an acoustic sound proofing to reduce the sound level inside the aircraft.

Navy Recognition learned that a scale model of the Sea Herc was tested last year in a wind tunnel facility in the United States. Regarding performance, thanks to its long range fuel tanks, the SC-130J is expected to have a 13.7 hours endurance, meaning it can deploy 1000 miles from its base and remains on station for 6.5 hours before returning to base. This can be extended with air refueling.

Finally, Lockheed Martin believes another advantage of the Sea Herc over its turbo fan equipped competitors (namely the Boeing P-8 Poseidon and Japanese P-1) is the ability to operate from shorter or even austere runways.

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DSEI 2015 : Un héros homérique bientôt au service de sa Majesté


Actualités Nathan Gain 23 septembre, 2015

Le programme Scout SV a récemment pris une tournure « mythologique », avec la présentation officielle par General Dynamics UK (GDUK) du premier prototype de la version de reconnaissance et de combat destinée à l’armée Britannique, et renommé depuis le 15 septembre dernier « Ajax ». Force, honneur, taille colossale, les superlatifs liés au héros antique justifient à eux seuls la nouvelle nomenclature de ce programme majeur ; un choix d’autant plus judicieux que ce personnage de l’Iliade était avant tout connu pour son invulnérabilité au combat.


L’Ajax de GDUK, dévoilé durant le salon DSEI 2015 à Londres (Crédit: Forces Operations Blog)


L’Ajax n’est qu’une des six variantes destinées aux forces Britanniques, la version dévoilée durant DSEI devant être accompagnée d’autres héros du panthéon grec : l’Apollo (50) pour la version de réparation et remorquage, l’Atlas 38) pour la version de dépannage, l’Athena (112) fournira un QG de bataille mobile, l’Ares (93) assurera le transport de troupes, tandis que l’Argus (51) appuiera les missions des unités de génie.

En tant que véhicule blindé de combat, l’Ajax se démarque du reste des variantes en ce qu’il est le seul à intégrer le canon de 40 mm fabriquée par CTA International. Inutile de rappeler que le savoir-faire français est en partie à la base de la fabrication de cette « lance d’Ajax », CTA International étant une joint venture née de l’union de deux géants européens de la défense : BAE Systems et…Nexter.

Le prototype « P1 » présenté à DSEI est l’un des sept véhicules commandés auprès de GDUK pour réaliser la phase de démonstration du programme Ajax (oui, en tant que porte-drapeau de la gamme, l’Ajax se devait de donner son nouveau nom au programme).

En tout, trois prototypes devraient être livrés pour 2016, dont deux seront optimisés pour les opérations de combat et le dernier pour les opérations de maintien de la paix.

Un premier escadron de l’armée Britannique devrait recevoir les premiers véhicules d’ici mi-2019, engageant de fait le début de la conversion des antiques CVR(T) vers les membres de la famille Ajax, avec une première brigade prête au déploiement dés la fin de l’année 2020.

http://forcesoperations.com/dsei-2015-un-heros-homerique-bientot-au-service-de-sa-majeste/

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Trois priorités pour les forces armées britanniques


Posté dans Europe, Politique de défense par Laurent Lagneau Le 25-09-2015



La prochaine version de la Revue stratégique de défense et de sécurité (SDSR, l’équivalent du Livre blanc français au Royaume-Uni) sera publiée avant la fin de cette année. Mais le ministre britannique de la Défense, Michael Fallon, l’a longuement évoquée lors d’une allocution prononcée cette semaine devant le RUSI (Royal United Service Institute).

Par rapport à la précédente édition de la SDSR, en 2010, le constat évident fait par M. Fallon est que le monde est devenu nettement plus dangereux, avec l’instabilité au Moyen-Orient et en Afrique, une menace terroriste encore plus importante, l’émergence d’organisations comme l’État islamique, une « Russie revancharde » qui menace ses voisins en ayant recours à la « guerre hybride », une concurrence de plus en plus forte entre États et la prolifération d’armes.

Il y a 5 ans, la SDSR s’était traduite par une baisse drastique (-8%) des dépenses militaires britanniques. Il s’agissait alors de remettre l’économie du royaume sur de bons rails, quitte à trancher dans le vif pour certaines capacités jusqu’alors jugées essentielles.

Ces efforts budgétaires ont payé : la Grande-Bretagne a affiché un taux de croissance de 2,8% en 2014 (contre 0,3% en France), soit la plus forte hausse des pays du G7, et la courbe du chômage est orientée la baisse au point que c’est quasiment le plein emploi outre-Manche. Du coup, les moyens qui seront alloués aux forces armées britanniques au cours des prochaines années devraient être plus importants et leur niveau n’ira pas en deçà des 2% du PIB.

« Sécurité et prospérité sont les deux faces de la même médaille : la sécurité crée les conditions de la confiance et de la stabilité sur lesquelles notre prospérité se construit », a fait valoir M. Fallon. Et « la prospérité finance nos armées et renforce aussi notre influence », a-t-il ajouté.

Quoi qu’il en soit, la prochaine SDSR mettra en avant trois priorités pour les forces britanniques. La première mettra l’accent sur les « coopérations internationales ».

« Des problèmes mondiaux exigent des solutions multinationales », a dit M. Fallon. « Nous savons que notre implication dans un effort multilatéral – en particulier l’Otan – est un multiplicateur de notre influence », a-t-il ajouté.

« Donc, a-t-il poursuivi, nous allons en faire plus pour tirer le meilleur parti de nos partenariats mondiaux ». Et « cela signifie plus de formation, plus de génération de forces et d’opérations au sein de coalitions multinationales afin d’atteindre des objectifs communs, en particulier dans l’Otan, qui reste la pierre angulaire de notre défense ».

La deuxième priorité sera d’améliorer l’efficacité des forces britanniques. Même si ces dernières devraient connaître une meilleure fortune par rapport à ces dernières années, les efforts de rationalisation se poursuivront afin d’optimiser le moindre penny. Faute de quoi, ce « serait gaspiller l’occasion en or que le chancelier (de l’Échiquier) nous a donné, c’est à dire recycler l’épargne en capacités » militaires, a fait valoir M. Fallon.

Cela passera donc par de nouveaux efforts en matière de productivité et une réforme des « méthodes de travail ». Cela « nous permettra ensuite d’investir dans le personnel, l’équipement et les technologies dont nous avons besoin pour l’avenir », a plaidé le ministre britannique.

« Nous devons être ambitieux parce que nos adversaires sont en train de rattraper », a-t-il ajouté, avant de pointer le risque d’érosion de la supériorité technologique sur laquelle est fondée la stratégie militaire britannique, ce qui risque aussi d’affecter « la valeur et la crédibilité de nos forces ».

D’où la troisième priorité avancée par M. Fallon : l’innovation. « Être efficace ne sera pas suffisant. Nous devons aussi innover », a-t-il estimé.

« Nous sommes déterminés à saisir l’occasion offerte par la SDSR pour bâtir une culture davantage prête à prendre des risques et plus ouverte au changement », a-t-il dit.

Et d’ajouter : « Nous devons faire tout notre possible pour renforcer notre structure de force, accélérer l’intégration de nouvelles technologies, adopter de nouveaux concepts et encorager les pratiques modernes de travail », avant de citer l’exemple du Dreadnought 2050, un cuirassé futuriste imaginé par de jeunes ingénieurs britanniques.

http://www.opex360.com/2015/09/25/trois-priorites-pour-les-forces-armees-britanniques/

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Stranded: Ageing British nuclear submarine in top-secret mission is undergoing repairs off the coast of Iran

British nuclear submarine spotted at dock in the Emirati dock of Fujairah
Port is situated less than 100 nautical miles from the coast of Iran
A 650ft-long metal barrier covers the submarine to avoid detection
It is believed to be one of Britain's four Trafalgar Class submarines




A British nuclear submarine has been caught on camera after it apparently became stricken with technical problems while on a top-secret mission in one of the most dangerous parts of the world.
Satellite images show the Royal Navy vessel undergoing repairs at a port less than 100 nautical miles from Iran.
The nuclear-powered submarine is pictured docked at Fujairah, one of the United Arab Emirates, in the politically sensitive seaway of the Gulf of Oman.

Blue cabling on the quayside apparently provides electrical power to the vessel while it is being repaired.
The images also show a 650ft-long barrier constructed from metal containers which appears to have been erected in an effort to shield the 300ft vessel from public view and protect it from a terrorist attack
Designed to provide surveillance of enemy installations, it is one of Britain's four Trafalgar Class submarines – HMS Talent, Torbay, Trenchant or Triumph – which entered service 30 years ago and have suffered from increasing problems due to their age.
Last night, nuclear expert John Large said: 'This is a very rare sighting in these waters as they usually remain submerged for thousands of miles while performing their surveillance and listening roles in the Gulf. To be pictured on Google Earth is unfortunate from her commander's point of view.'

'Something must have gone seriously wrong with her to port there now, publicly announcing her presence in the Gulf of Oman which is effectively a war zone in these troubled times.
'The lack of a surface support vessel or any Special Boat Service commandos in dinghies patrolling the waters around her, or a boom separating her from the rest of the harbour, suggests this visit was forced upon her.
'She has what seems to be an emergency electrical and ventilation hook-up from the quayside, with all of her hatches open.'
The image has been stamped with a 2015 copyright marking on Google Earth, and a UK defence official admitted last night that a Royal Navy submarine had visited Fujairah earlier this year. The official said it was 'routine' for submarines to obtain shore services such as electricity and air-conditioning.
In 2013, The Mail on Sunday revealed how the ageing Trafalgar submarines had been issued with 'Code Red' safety warnings after inspectors found radioactive leaks.
The report by the Defence Nuclear Safety Regulator found that cracks in reactors and nuclear discharges were directly attributable to the Trafalgars remaining in service beyond their design date.
The Trafalgars are powered by nuclear reactors and are supposed to stay at sea for up to three months. They are equipped with Tomahawk cruise missiles and sonar equipment that can hear enemy vessels sailing more than 50 miles away.
The submarines have a typical complement of 120 to 130 personnel, up to 20 of them officers. The Trafalgars are being replaced by Astute Class nuclear submarines.
A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: 'We do not comment on submarine operations.'
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3250393/Stranded-Ageing-British-nuclear-submarine-secret-mission-undergoing-repairs-coast-Iran.html?ito=social-facebook

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UK is about to send 370 soldiers in South Sudan and Somalia to fight terrorism threat

Hundreds of British soldiers will be sent to Africa to help counter the threat of Islamist extremists in the region, the UK Prime Minister David Cameron has said. The Prime Minister announced up to 300 soldiers will be deployed in South Sudan as part of a peace-keeping mission while a further 70 will be sent to Somalia to support attempts to defeat the terrorist group Al-Shabab.



Mr Cameron suggested that bringing stability to both countries could help ease the crisis that has led to hundreds of thousands of migrants crossing the Mediterranean to reach Europe. And he said it was right Britain was "stepping up and playing a greater role".

All the troops sent to the region will be involved in peace-keeping efforts not active combat, with a focus on training, logistical support and engineering help.

It comes with Mr Cameron in New York to discuss with world leaders how to solve the refugee crisis and tackle world poverty at the United Nations General Assembly.

Mr Cameron said: "Our Armed Forces have a long history of delivering security and stability to some of the most difficult environments in the world, and I am proud to offer British support and expertise to peacekeeping operations in Somalia and South Sudan.

"As the world agrees ambitious goals to end extreme poverty, it is absolutely vital that the international community works together to shore up stability in Africa."

In South Sudan, troops will be dispatched in a series of rolling deployments to help a UN peace-keeping force of more than 12,000 there since 2013, when a fragile political settlement between the country's two main tribes descended into open warfare.

In Somalia, British soldiers will help assist an African Union peace-keeping force which has been attempting to drive back Al-Shabab, the Islamist radicals linked to Al-Qaeda. A dozen Ugandan soldiers fighting for the force was killed by the radicals earlier this month, raising fears for British troops' safety.

Speaking to reporters on a flight to New York, Mr Cameron said everything would be done to ensure troops deployed to the countries remained safe.

"Let me stress that obviously we will want to see all the right force protection arrangements to be in place. But we should be playing a part in this," he said.

"What happens in the outcome in Somalia, if it's a good outcome, that's good for Britain, it means less migration, less piracy and ditto South Sudan.

"If we can, as peacekeepers, help to maintain order and peace and see stable development in that country then that's going to be again less poverty, less migration, less issues that affect us back at home.

"So it's right that we're stepping up and playing a greater role. We're able to do this because of the resources that we have."

The new deployments will be in additional to the 280 British troops already participating in a UN mission in Cyprus.

(Source: The Daily Mail)


http://www.armyrecognition.com/september_2015_global_defense_security_news_uk/uk_is_about_to_send_370_soldiers_in_south_sudan_and_somalia_to_fight_terrorism_threat_22809153.html

Strike back

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Inside the UK's £100m stealth fighter that will put the wind up Putin: New F-35 jet's state-of-the-art cockpit feeds pilots information from other friendly aircraft as well as giving pilots a 360-degree picture of what is going on
The F-35b Lightning II is the world's most advanced fighter jet and and will fly from UK aircraft carriers in 2020
It has a very low radar profile and will soon be deployed to fly secret missions blasting enemy strongholds
The ultra-high tech cockpit allows the pilot to 'see through' the aircraft, even below it, due to six external cameras
The jet has a special radar absorbent coating which prevents the enemy from locking onto the aircraft with missiles
At the touch of a red button, an RAF pilot obliterates jihadist militants in Syria with a laser-guided missile – moments after blowing up an enemy warplane that never saw him coming.
This is the world’s most advanced stealth fighter jet, which will soon fly secret missions blitzing enemy strongholds.
Britain has so far bought eight F-35b Lightning II jets which are set to fly off two UK aircraft carriers, along with American jets, by 2020.
The Daily Mail was given access to the cockpit of the aircraft yesterday as a simulator created a scenario in which the warplane would take out a threatening ground missile system.




Billed as the world’s most sophisticated jet – at the cost of £100million – the state-of-the-art cockpit system enables the pilot to tell friendly jets from foe. His screen also includes real-time information from other F-35s flying for friendly foreign nations.
Between them at any moment they will be covering tens of miles, with a 360-degree picture of what is going on around them both in the air and on the ground.
The Lockheed Martin jet has the ability to evade enemy air defences by having the lowest possible radar signature.
The Joint Strike Fighter stealth jet uses radar-absorbent coatings, as well as flat surfaces, sharp edges and fibre mats to deflect radar signals, allowing it to strike the enemy before they even know the aircraft is nearby.
Experts say this technology can make it invisible to the high-frequency radars used in modern air-defence systems. It is expected to be the backbone of Allied air power for the next 50 years.
Lockheed Martin’s Steve Over sees the F-35 fighter jet fighting wars in the Middle East and against Russia in the next decade. Speaking at a demonstration of the capabilities of the jet in London, he said the aircraft would make the UK a ‘formidable power’ in the battlefield against Vladimir Putin and Islamic State.
The US, Italy, Canada, Turkey and Australia have also purchased the jets, making it the most expensive defence programme ever.

Mr Over, international business development director for the F-35 programme, said the planes would enable Britain to re-assert itself as a global force.
He told the Mail: ‘The F-35s will deter large nation states. When the Cold War ended who would have thought that we would still be dealing with an aggressive state such as Russia. Countries like Russia and China will push until they meet a point of resistance and this aircraft gives nations like the UK the edge.
‘This makes Britain a formidable power. This sees Britain working with a coalition to provide a common capability so can all fight together and defeat an entire nation.’
Mr Over said the aircraft would be ideal for scenarios such as those in Syria.
With six cameras attached to the jet and the advanced radar system, the plane can detect surface-to-air missiles on the ground and provide real-time updates of jihadists walking around.
‘If you think about operations in Syria at the moment, the F-35 has the capacity to deal with these sorts of threats,’ Mr Over said. The pilot will wear a visor which will provide 360-degree views of what is going on around him, and the screen in front of him in the cockpit will collate all information from foreign F-35 jets.
A British pilot will know exactly where foreign fighter jets are located and information that they receive will come up automatically on his display system. If an American pilot has decided to put an unknown aircraft on its ‘target list’ to take down, the British pilot will know immediately of its plans.
The purchase of more of the F-35 combat jets will be decided in the government’s strategic, defence and security review which will be published this autumn. Critics have described the second aircraft carrier as a ‘gigantic white elephant’ because there are currently not enough British jets to fly off even one.
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon has spoken about how he envisages a future of more ‘interoperability’ and cooperation between allies fighting against common enemies. His comments suggest the UK could heavily rely on US F-35s to fly off the aircraft carriers – which could be deployed anywhere in the world – in the future.
An RAF source said of the new aircraft: ‘It is like upgrading from a Nokia 3310 to a smartphone, with the ability to use a myriad of apps than can be downloaded.’
But the Joint Strike Fighter programme has not been without its setbacks. Last year a US pilot had to run from an F-35 jet after it caught fire during takeoff on a military base in Florida as it embarked on a training mission.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3254011/Inside-UK-s-100m-stealth-fighter-wind-Putin-New-F-35-jet-s-state-art-cockpit-feeds-pilots-information-friendly-aircraft-giving-pilots-360-degree-picture-going-on.html

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Full Operational Capability for the Royal Navy’s Mk2 Merlins

The first AgustaWestland AH101 Mk2 Merlin helicopters of the Royal Navy have achieved full operational capability. Of the total 30 Merlin Mk1 23 have already been delivered on time and budget under the 25-year Merlin Capability Sustainment Programme (MCSP), awarded in January 2006 to Lockheed Martin UK.




The MCSP’s objective is to provide a long-term sustainment and improvement of the ASW capability of the helicopters and gradually transform them into multi-role platforms. The cost of the programme is at USD750 million.
The upgraded Mk2 helicopters will feature high-end systems and capabilities, with Lockheed Martin UK being the main integrator. These include a management system and state-of-the-art glass cockpit (AgustaWestland), new solid-state storage unit (Saab), an upgrade of the Blue Kestrel surveillance radar of the Mk1 with SAR/ISAR modes and enhanced track-while-scan capability (Selex ES), an acoustic system suite that can perform both passive sonobouy and active sonar dipping search (Thales), a Data Preparation Facility and the Civil Navigation Database Loader (BAE Systems), an upgraded cockpit simulator with training devices for the whole of the crew (CAE) and 24-inch displays for the mission system operators (Barco).

The first Royal Navy Mk1 entered service in December 1998 and last of the 44 Merlin helicopters acquired was delivered in November 2002. Two were lost during accidents. The 28 EH101 Merlin HC3/HC3A currently serving with RAF are expected to be handed over to the Royal Navy in the future, to replace the Sea King Mk4 used by the Royal Marines.





http://www.airrecognition.com/index.php/archive-world-worldwide-news-air-force-aviation-aerospace-air-military-defence-industry/global-news-2015/september/2055-full-operational-capability-for-the-royal-navys-mk2-merlins.html

Citation :

Opération Shader, le pendant britannique de Chammal
Dans Actualité Défense
Publié le 29/09/2015 à 15h44, par George de Bonadona


Un bilan provisoire des frappes britanniques a été communiqué par le secrétaire d'État à la Défense Michael Fallon.

Depuis un an, les Tornado GR4 et les drones Reaper ont mené 300 frappes en 1300 missions a l'aide de missiles Brimstone et Hellfire et de bombes Paveway IV, le tout en volant six jours sur sept. Le rôle des avions de renseignement, surveillance et reconnaissance a été capital puisque selon le ministère de la défense britannique, à eux seuls ils représentent 30% du volume horaire des vols de surveillance de la coalition. Les Sentinel R1 dévolus à ces tâches devraient voir leurs missions prolongées sur le théâtre moyen oriental jusqu'en 2016. Les drones Reaper et un appareil de guerre éléctronique Airseeker participent également à ces missions de surveillance.

Autorisées le 24 septembre 2014 par le parlement, les opérations britanniques en Irak ont commencé le 26 du même mois. Leur extension au territoire syrien nécessitera une nouvelle autorisation du parlement. Plus tôt ce mois-ci, David Cameron avait annoncé que deux ressortissants britanniques ayant rejoint les rangs de Daech avaient été tués par une frappe de drone près de Raqqa en Syrie. Cette frappe est intervenue alors même que le débat sur l'extension des opérations n'a pas encore eu lieu.







http://www.air-cosmos.com/operation-shader-le-pendant-britannique-de-chammal-43712

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Jeremy Corbyn and the threats to Britain

Jeremy Corbyn’s timing is uncanny. On the day Russia began military action in Syria, the new Labour leader made it clear that if he were prime minister at a time when the nation came under mortal threat, he would not authorise the use of Britain’s nuclear weapons. These two events are linked by more than timing, and together offer an unsettling insight into the new man’s world view.
Mr Corbyn is the leader of the Official Opposition, the head of Britain’s alternative administration. His hard-Left policies and lack of charisma mean that he is extremely unlikely to be elected to the premiership. But as the events of the past year have proved, Britain is a democracy and neither the public nor the course of political events can ever be taken for granted. That we might one day have a Prime Minister Corbyn is improbable – but not impossible.

Were that event to come to pass, we now know that as leader he would not be prepared to employ the full range of Britain’s military capabilities. His posturing may sound good in the student common room, but it exposes him as dangerously weak on the world stage. Taking such a position could very well encourage foreign powers and other actors who would wish to threaten our nation’s interests and security. It also reveals his ideological limitations – the very point of deterrence is defused, after all, if the world knows that the weapons won’t be used. If you parrot pacifism, as he does, then wouldn’t you use any means necessary to keep the peace?
More parochially, Corbyn’s declaration gives the lie to his promises of a “new politics” and open debate in Labour. He knows very well that many of his party disagree with him, but even as he says he will respect their views, he makes clear that in the final analysis he would ignore them. Far from building consensus, Mr Corbyn’s approach is self-centred and individualistic. So much for solidarity.
It is little wonder that many of his colleagues openly despair. Indeed, it is hard to see how Maria Eagle, the pro-Trident shadow defence secretary, can remain in her post while Mr Corbyn leads the party. His shadow foreign secretary, Hilary Benn, and shadow home secretary, Andy Burnham, have also spoken out against his assertion. It seems Mr Corbyn cares little about putting his colleagues in such an invidious position, preferring instead to speak to the juvenile idealists who gave him his job. It is also quite possible to imagine that the significant players in the Labour movement who take a more realistic view of nuclear weapons – they include some trade unions, and, significantly, the deputy leader Tom Watson – are already regretting Mr Corbyn’s election, and pondering ways to remove him.
Unless and until that happens, perhaps the only way Labour can sustain such a clear difference of opinion at the top over such a grave matter is to abandon any pretence of being a government-in-waiting and admit that Mr Corbyn and his dissenting team will never be in power.
Whatever the internal troubles of the Labour Party, what matters is national security. And for as long as Mr Corbyn holds his position, the possibility of his taking power cannot be entirely discounted. When dealing with risks of the greatest magnitude, even the smallest probabilities must be taken seriously. With his chaotic, self-indulgent and adolescent posturing over nuclear weapons, Mr Corbyn may look like a joke but, sadly, he is deadly serious.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/defence/11902531/Jeremy-Corbyn-and-the-threats-to-Britain.html

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HGH Supporting Royal Navy with Revolutionary, Mobile C2S Platform for Protection of Ships at Sea

International manufacturer of award-winning panoramic infrared thermal imaging systems, HGH Infrared Systems, have been selected by the British Navy to incorporate their Spynel-S 3500 into an integrated Compact Combat System (C2S) for situational awareness and ship-based protection against small fast inshore attack crafts (FIACs). The innovative system has already been tested in trials in the UK and will be used in part towards securing war ships in perilous locations.





Leading the project is UK-based Qinetiq, research and technology group, who have paired HGH's Spynel sensor alongside the SharpEye radar from Kelvin Hughes and a Chess Dynamics Sea Eagle providing electro-optical surveillance system, the innovative and modular design concept allows for a more mobile solution for afloat support ships or war ships. The Spynel-S 3500 provides the infrared search and track component in the C2S which is housed on a standard ISO container to complete the fully integrated system. The open architecture design allows the Spynel-S to cohesively work with a PTZ, radar and AIS.

Spynel is the ideal, all-weather solution for ship-based protection at sea or providing surveillance for ships docked at ports and has been previously deployed on French Navy war frigates for anti-piracy measures. With its constantly rotating sensor head, Spynel displays a full 360-degree panorama image with an impressive resolution of up to 120 Mpix. With its near real-time imagery captured by the proprietary Cyclope software, the Spynel detects and tracks an unlimited number of targets night and day, including: RHIBs, swimmers, wooden boats and larger ships. Built-in algorithms developed over a decade ensure that sea clutter-maritime life, waves, etc.-is eliminated.

With all its Spynel models, HGH has been pro-active in allowing for a smooth integration with other security systems already in place to provide a comprehensive surveillance system either on land or at sea.



http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3135