Armée Britannique/British Armed Forces

Rappel du premier message :

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

Citation :

DRS Technologies to support Bowman C4I upgrade for UK Army's combat vehicles
0

21 April 2016
DRS Technologies has secured a contract to support the Bowman tactical command, control, communications, computers, and intelligence (C4I) system for the British Army's fleet of combat vehicles.

Awarded by General Dynamics, the $51m contract will see the company provide rugged tactical displays, upgrades, and associated services for the C4I system.

The company currently supplies military tactical computing and networking to the US Army through the Mounted Family of Computer Systems (MFoCS).

Technology used for the MFoCS programme will serve as the basis for the Bowman technology upgrade.

"This technology will provide the British Army with a strategic advantage on the battlefield."
DRS UK managing director Peter Hurst said: "This technology will provide the British Army with a strategic advantage on the battlefield and builds on our heritage of supplying cutting-edge and proven network computing systems to the UK military forces.

"We are proud to be able to continue to provide a tactical computing baseline for Bowman, which shares many components and a common roadmap with the successful MFoCS system used by the US military.

Work under the contract will be carried out at DRS's UK business unit in Farnham, Surrey, and the DRS Network Computing and Test Solutions unit in Melbourne, Florida, US.

Deliveries under the contract are scheduled to begin in July 2017.


http://www.army-technology.com/news/newsdrs-technologies-to-support-bowman-c4i-upgrade-for-uk-armys-combat-vehicles-4871065

Citation :

Type 26 Frigate Production Approval Date Revealed in Letters Release
Andrew Chuter, Defense News 2:29 p.m. EDT April 22, 2016

LONDON — The British Ministry of Defence has inadvertently published the target date by which it hopes to achieve sufficient maturity on the program to take forward the delayed Type 26 manufacturing phase.

The MoD on  April 21 published a series of appointment letters to officers taking up the role of senior responsible owner (SRO) for major defense procurement projects being pursued by the British.

SROs are usually high ranking officers who are personally accountable to the MoD and Parliament for delivering and the realization of the expected benefits from major programs.

Included in the letters was one from the then First Sea Lord Admiral Sir George Zambellas to Rear Admiral Chris Gardner

The letter set April 2017 as the milestone for Gardner to secure

A spokeswoman for the MoD confirmed the approval date but cautioned the approval date would not necessarily tally with production start.

“This letter sets a target for securing approval to proceed to manufacture; this is not necessarily the date when manufacture phase 1 will start, but it is a milestone which demonstrates momentum on the program,” she said.

The approval target date surfaced 24 hours ahead of a warning by the GMB union that there could be as many as 800 redundancies at BAE Systems Scotstoun and Govan yards, Scotland, if the government reneges on its commitment to build all of the warship fleet on the Clyde.

The warning by the shipyards' biggest union followed a briefing of officials early Friday on potential proposals for building the warships by BAE.

"We are working with the MoD to agree a revised baseline for the Type 26 ships and a production schedule for the two additional offshore patrol vessels in Glasgow. We are engaging our trades unions as we work through this process. Our focus is to deliver the capability the Royal Navy needs, while ensuring the best value for UK tax payers,” said BAE in a statement.

The discussions are taking place against a background of the government developing a new national shipbuilding strategy that it hopes to roll out later this year.

Industry executives have previously said the government has been looking at how to include English yards like Cammell Laird in the strategy.

Babcock is the only English yard currently capable of building frigates, and then only small ones, but several companies south of the border were involved in constructing parts of the two Royal Navy 65,000 ton aircraft carriers now nearing completion in Scotland.

The original target was to start building the Type 26 warships at BAE later this year. Design maturity, cost and other issues have slowed the program down to the extent the government is having to build a fleet of new offshore patrol boats at the yard to maintain skills and capabilities ahead of the start of a frigate program.

The Type 26, also known as the Global Combat Ship, received a boost earlier this week when it was shortlisted, along with two other European designs, to provide Australia with a new fleet of frigates.

Last month, the MoD announced it was extending the current demonstration phase on the program with a £472 million contract award to BAE and companies in the supply chain for long lead items for the first three Type 26s but industry and MoD officials were coy about giving a date for production to get underway and declined to indicate a date.

The extended demonstration/manufacturing phase is set to run until June 2017, at which point it seems the MoD now expects to be in a position to approve a manufacturing decision for phase 1 — the first three warships — of what will now be an eight strong fleet.

The intended fleet strength was cut from 13 to eight in November’s strategic defense and security review with the MoD opting to build at least 5 smaller, and cheaper, general purpose frigates to fill the number gap.

The MoD is now re-baselining the program in the wake of the SDSR decision, and the work will define a program timetable, including the start of Manufacture Phase 1.

“The re-baselining work will define a program timetable, including the start of manufacture phase 1. In common with all equipment procurement projects, we will announce the award of the T26 build contract when the relevant approval has been secured, and contract negotiations successfully completed,” said the spokeswoman.

The appointment letters, nearly 30 of them in total, also detailed milestone dates for other major programs, not all of which have necessarily been in the public domain.

Some of the letters cover appointments made as recently as last month, while others relate back to 2014 and 2015, so some of the milestone dates may have changed since publication.

Milestones for the Successor nuclear submarine program, F-35 strike jet and Complex Weapons have all been heavily redacted, but other programs haven’t.

For expample, as of August 2015, Airbus A400M airlifter milestones included initial tactical support capability in September 2017 and a full deployment capability by March 2019.

Delivery of the third Airseeker signals intelligence aircraft from L-3 and full operating capability is targeted for December 2017.

Initial business case approval for the  Future Beyond Line of Sight communications program is slated for June this year.

Delivery of the first of four fleet oil tankers built in South Korea using a British design from BMT Defence is due to enter service in September with all four vessels in service by December next year.




http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/international/europe/2016/04/22/letter-release-reveals-type-26-production-approval-date/83381446/

Citation :

Royaume-Uni : Développement des capacités tactiques du C-17


Dans Actualité Défense, Actualité Avions de transport
Publié le 25/04/2016 à 14h42, par Emmanuel Huberdeau


Les forces armées britanniques ont procédé à des largages en chute libre depuis un C-17 © Crown MOD


La Royal Air Force annonce avoir procédé, le 12 avril 2016, à des essais de sauts en parachute en chute libre depuis un avion de transport stratégique C-17.

Les essais ont été réalisés à bord d'un C-17 du 99e escadron basé sur la base de Brize Norton. Au total 20 sauts ont eu lieu.

L'objectif est de développer les capacités tactiques d'un avion connu principalement pour son rôle de transporteur stratégique. La RAF dispose de 8 C-17, opérants au sein d'une flotte de transport moderne composée également de 24 C-130J, de MRTT Voyager et d'A400M.

http://www.air-cosmos.com/royaume-uni-developpement-des-capacites-tactiques-du-c-17-70577

Citation :

rak-Syrie : Typhoon, Tornado, Reaper, le trio britannique en action
Dans Actualité Défense, Actualité Armées
Publié le 26/04/2016 à 10h49, par Emmanuel Huberdeau


Les moyens aériens basés à Chypre ont été réunis pour souhaiter son 90e anniversaire à la reine © Crown MOD
A l'image de la France, le Royaume-Uni participe à la coalition aérienne internationale contre Daesh en Irak et en Syrie. Les appareils britanniques sont déployés à Chypre au sein du "903 Expeditionary Air Wing". Ce détachement comprend actuellement des Tornado, des Typhoon, un E-3D Sentry (Awacs), un avion de renseignement Sentinel R1, un A330 MRTT Voyager et des drones Reaper. Des C-130J ou encore des A400M participent au soutien logistique du détachement.

Le ministère de la défense britannique a fait, le 26 avril 2016, un bilan des frappes réalisées depuis le 19 avril. Cette annonce permet d'avoir une vue synthétique des moyens employés par la Royal Air Force contre Daesh et du type de missions réalisées.

Les Tornado et les Typhoon réalisent notamment des missions d'appui aérien rapproché. Le 19 avril les chasseurs britanniques ont ainsi attaqué trois positions de mortiers et deux emplacements de mitrailleuses lourdes de Daesh. Pour cela les Tornado ont employés des missile Brimstone et des bombes Paveway IV mise en oeuvre également par les Typhoon.

Le 21 avril, pour la première fois contre Daesh des Tornado ont employé la bombe Enhanced Paveway III (EPWIII). Cette bombe est employée pour son pouvoir de pénétration et selon la RAF avait été gardée en réserve jusqu'à présent pour frapper des objectifs sous terrains ou durcis. Le 22 avril, des frappes ont été effectuées par des drones Reaper. Deux appareils ont tiré des missiles Hellfire. Un véhicule terroriste a été détruit. Les Reaper participent aussi activement aux missions de surveillance. Les drones de la coalition fournissent l'essentiel des images utilisées par les JTAC qui désignent à distance les cibles pour les chasseurs où ces mêmes drones.




http://www.air-cosmos.com/irak-syrie-typhoon-tornado-reaper-le-trio-britannique-en-action-70699

Citation :

D-Day veterans receive Légion d'Honneur on French warship in Plymouth

25/04/2016

D-Day veterans who took part in the Normandy landings during the WW2 received France's highest military honour at a ceremony in Plymouth yesterday (Sunday 24 April).

The event was staged, appropriately, on board the French warship Dixmude in HM Naval Base Devonport. This was only the second such event – the first one was staged on board FS Aquitaine last year in Glasgow.  

Families representing recently deceased veterans and eight colleagues were honoured by the French Honorary Consul. Alain Sibiril, who organised the presentation of the Legion d’Honneur by Captain Eric Lavault the commanding officer of FS Dixmude in a vast hangar below decks.

The French government felt it appropriate to honour any surviving veterans who took part in the D-Day Landings to mark the event’s 70th anniversary.

Those honoured were Ernest Carman (Royal Armoured Corps), Walter Hughes (Roayl Air Force), William Jago (Royal Engineers), Ronald Kallmeiler (Royal Navy), Dennis Loaring (Army Service Corps), Walter Payne (a Royal Marines gunner on HMS Mauritius), Lesley Scull (Royal Tank Regiment) and Cyril Walker (HMS Whitehall).






"It is important for the French people and French Navy to mark the valiant service of the veterans here in liberating France 70 years after D-Day"

Captain Eric Lavault, Commanding Officer of FS Dixmude

Gillian Garlick received the medal on behalf of her father Charles Dixon, a lance corporal in the Royal Signals who issued signal codes after landing on Gold Beach in Normandy.  

John Mortimer, of Calstock, received the medal on behalf of his father John Mortimer, a Chief Petty Officer who served on the minesweeper HMS Lyme Regis.

John said: “I am proud to represent my father who sadly died a few weeks ago aged 94 and didn’t even know about this event. He was on a minesweeper making the waters safe for the D-Day landings. I will add it to his impressive collection with pride."

Walter Payne, 93, of Plymouth Barbican, said, “This has been a fantastic honour. I never expected it and it’s been a wonderful day. Today marks a fitting symbolic end to my Royal Marines career.  I really appreciate this as it has come from the French on their naval ship. It brings back my days at sea."

Walter Hughes, 93, of Exeter, said, “I don’t really feel I deserve this. I’m not a hero. But I am really pleased to be here and I know I played my part well to help the French and the Allies during the war."

“This is the latest of the Legion d’Honneur ceremonies along with other events which have marked First and Second World War anniversaries," said Captain Lavault.

"It is important for the French people and French Navy to mark the valiant service of the veterans here in liberating France 70 years after D-Day. There are also many young people at this event and we have a duty to make sure they learn about history."

Also attending among the more than 100 guests were the Lord Mayor of Plymouth Dr John Mahony, MP Oliver Colvile Sutton and Devonport), Naval Base Commander Devonport, Commodore Ian Shipperley; HMS Heroes (the Plymouth organisation of school children of naval families), schools and youth organisations.

http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2016/april/25/160425-d-day-veterans-receive-legion-d-honneur

Citation :

SPTA Military

Royal Tank Regiment - Exercise Lions Strike April 2016
Pictures Courtesy David Hargrave

PHOTOS:

 

Citation :

UK debuts 'bunker buster' bombs against the Islamic State
Gareth Jennings, London - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
26 April 2016
The size of the Enhanced Paveway III PGM can be seen in this Tornado trials photo. The 2,000 lb 'bunker buster' was used for the first time against the Islamic State on 21 April. Source: Raytheon
The UK Royal Air Force (RAF) has used the largest bomb in its inventory for the first time against the Islamic State, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced in its latest operational update released on 26 April.

On 21 April, Panavia Tornado GR4 combat aircraft operating out of RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus dropped a pair of the 'bunker buster' 2,000 lb Enhanced Paveway III (EPW III) precision-guided munitions (PGMs) onto Islamic State facilities in Iraq, hitting the targets.

"The Tornados flew as part of a coalition airstrike on a large complex of tunnels and bunkers dug into terraced hillsides above the Euphrates in western Iraq, successfully scoring direct hits with a pair of EPW IIIs on two entrances to the bunker network," the MoD said.

The EPW III is designed for use against aircraft shelters, bridges, and military command centres in all weather conditions, and was borne out of lessons learned during the Kosovo campaign in 1999 when standard Paveway II and III PGMs were severely hampered by bad weather, and also by smoke around targets and on the battlefield. The Enhanced Paveway III was cleared for RAF service in 2002, with about 2,000 bombs believed to have been delivered to the MoD.

As noted by IHS Jane's Air Launched Weapons , the standard tactics are to release an EPW III using GPS/INS guidance initially, and to then use the laser to refine the impact point. The bombs can also accept third-party designation. The weapon has the ability to home in on its last recorded target point, if the laser lock should be lost for any reason in the terminal phase. It can also revert to the stored GPS co-ordinates unless it is within three seconds of impact.

Before the current operations against the Islamic State commenced in September 2014, the UK had plans to phase the EPW III out of service by the end of 2017 in favour of the 500 lb Paveway IV as the RAF's sole PGM.

Citation :

UK's Dstl to invite bids for dismounted soldier research contract


The UK's Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) is planning to invite bids for a dismounted soldier system engine room contract later this year.

Valued at around £40m, the four-year contract will play a major role in research to deliver an integrated soldier system.

Prior to the bidding process, Dstl will provide requirements for the contract and a prequalification questionnaire for suppliers.

The contract will involve the development of next-generation weaponry, and support the integration of man-worn power and data in the near future.

Successful bidders will provide operational analysis, research and systems engineering to support the development of the UK dismounted soldier capability.

Dstl close combat systems programme manager Ross Jones said: "The dismounted soldier systems engine room industry day allowed a huge breadth of industry suppliers and representatives from academia to come together in support of dismounted soldier research.

"Over the coming months we will be setting out the requirements for the contract and look forward to receiving proposals later this year."

In March, Dstl held an industry day for suppliers to find out more about the contract.

Nearly 130 suppliers took part in the event, which provided information about procurement timelines and specific research areas covered by the contract.




http://www.army-technology.com/news/newsuks-dstl-to-invite-bids-for-dismounted-soldier-research-contract-4877128

Citation :

Pays Baltes : le Royaume Uni assure la police du ciel
Dans Actualité Défense
Publié le 29/04/2016 à 08h45, par Guillaume Belan






4 Typhoon britanniques sont arrivés en Estonie, il seront rejoint par des F-16 portugais © Royal Air Force
Au tour du Royaume Unis d'assurer la mission Otan de police du ciel au dessus des pays baltes.
«Ce déploiement souligne notre attachement à la souveraineté des nations démocratiques de l'Europe de l'Est » a assuré le Secrétaire d'Etat à la Défense britannique Michael Fallon.

Quatre Eurofighter Typhoon viennent d'être déployés sur la base aérienne estonienne d'Amari, où ils resteront jusqu’à fin aout.

Ainsi pour la troisième année consécutive, le Royaume-Uni s'engage pour la sécurité des pays baltes, après des rotations en 2014 et 2015. La dernière fois, les chasseurs Typhoon ont décollés en urgence 17 fois et interceptés plus de 40 avions russes.
Les britanniques seront vite rejoint par quatre F- 16 " Fighting Falcon " de la Force aérienne portugaise, basés Šiauliai.


http://www.air-cosmos.com/pays-baltes-le-royaume-uni-assure-la-police-du-ciel-71399

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British Troops Training in Gabon
April 29, 2016 35




The British Army training team will help step up anti-poaching training with local park rangers and trackers, which includes sharing operational experience, surveillance and analysis, and the collection and use of criminal intelligence to support successful prosecution of the gangs responsible for the slaughters.

The 14-strong team, led by Northern Ireland based 2 RIFLES, and supported by specialist staff – including an experienced tracker from the Royal Gurkha Rifles – will train around 60 men and women who will be or are already involved in anti-poaching patrols.

During the six-week deployment UK personnel will operate in the Minkebe region, a large area of Gabon where there are few roads and challenging rainy season conditions.

Minister for Reserves Julian Brazier said: “Our Armed Forces are among the best in the world and this important training demonstrates Britain’s commitment to Defence engagement and tackling threats.”

“We have put our full support behind the Gabonese government in the battle against the scourge of ivory poaching.”

UK personnel are training EcoGuards (ANPN Park Rangers) and Gendarmes. The Gendarmes are part of the Parks Agency (ANPN) structure, which runs patrols in the most heavily poached areas. Patrols are supported by a small number of soldiers, and local trackers.

The objective is not to use military training, but instead impart military skills and techniques to the ANPN.

This includes navigation skills, patrolling techniques and planning, evidence gathering, first aid, injury prevention in the jungle, weapon handling/safety, fitness and teamwork, live firing, ambush drills and interdiction, and lessons on Gabonese law and Rules of Engagement.

Lt Colonel Neil Bellamy, Commanding Officer of 2 RIFLES said: “The 2 RIFLES team has worked hard to prepare for their deployment to Gabon and is relishing the opportunity to work in the rainforests of Central Africa alongside Gabonese Park Rangers. Poachers are operating in formed criminal gangs of 30-50 personnel and the illegal trading of animal parts is one of many illicit activities sponsored by cross border organised criminal groups. 2 RIFLES’ deployment to Gabon is an important part of the UK Government’s plan to address this threat.”

“This task clearly demonstrates how adaptable the modern Army is and highlights the important role that Defence plays in support of Government Policy.”

Training is delivered alongside a US military team, and in partnership with the UK Department of Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), Gabonese Government, and charity the Prince Charles Trust.

This is the second tranche of training, after UK personnel delivered the initial installment in August.

Gabon faces a serious poaching problem, as ivory traffickers target the indigenous Woodland Elephants, threatening their extinction. Armed poachers have not only targeted the endangered elephants, but also local villages and park rangers.

As reported by the UK MOD




http://www.african-defense.com/defense-news/british-troops-training-in-gabon/

Citation :

British, Portuguese fighters take over Baltic air policing
Bruce Jones, Brussels - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
29 April 2016
United Kingdom Eurofighter Typhoons from the Royal Air Force's II(AC) Squadron deployed on 27 April to Amari Air Base in Estonia to take part for four months in NATO's Baltic Air Policing Mission.

The four Typhoons will be joined by four Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcons from Portugal, which will operate from Siauliai Air Base in Lithuania.

The British and Portuguese aircraft will formally take over from Spanish and Belgian aircraft on 3 May.

Begun temporarily in 2004 when Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania joined NATO, the air policing mission was declared permanent in 2012.

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Daesh Ambushes British-Italian Troops Operating in Libya – Israeli Media

As European Special Forces battle Daesh, also known as IS/Islamic State, in Syria and Iraq, the extremist group has, this week, reportedly ambushed Italian and British troops in Libya for the first time.

On Sunday, UK Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond indicated that he would not rule out the possibility of joining the US and European allies in sending ground troops into Libya.




"It wouldn’t make sense to rule anything out because you never know how things are going to evolve," Hammond told the Telegraph. "If naval or air support was requested for such an action, we would obviously look at it."
But according to DEBKAfile, Britain already has Special Forces troops operating in Libya alongside Italian counterparts, and having come under fire by Daesh militants on Wednesday, any Western invasion could now face complications.
DEBKAfile’s military sources report that the incident occurred on April 27, as a convoy of Italian, British, and Libyan forces moved from the city of Misrata toward the Daesh-held city of Sirte. The ambush involved vehicles packed with explosives, which pulled up alongside the convoy before detonating.


Western forces were only able to repel additional attackers with the aid of Italian and French warplanes and attack helicopters.
"Italian troops were among those killed or wounded in the battle, but there is no information whether there were British casualties as well," DEBKAfile reports. "Some reports say members of the Western force were taken prisoner by ISIS, although they have yet to be identified."
Sources also describe an effort by Western powers to silence reports of the incident.
"A joint command consisting of officers from Britain, France, Italy, Germany and the US that is responsible for planning the invasion of Libya, as well as the Italian and British defense ministries, imposed a media blackout regarding the battle," DEBKAfile reports.
A fire is seen next to the Libyan cement factory
© REUTERS/
EU to Discuss Libya Intervention as UK Urged to Reveal Military Plans
The incident may have put a damper on Europe’s confidence in launching a more overt invasion. Two days before the attack, Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi seemed open to deploying troops to Libya.

"We are ready for a strong role, but for no adventures," Renzi told la Repubblica newspaper.
One day after the incident, Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni expressed a different sentiment.
"Italy has no plans to send troops to Libya without a request from the unity government that is backed by the UN," he told parliament, according to DEBKAfile.



Read more: http://sputniknews.com/africa/20160430/1038871881/daesh-libya-ambush.html#ixzz47IeOpXte

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Vikings amphibious all-terrain vehicles to reach full operational capability after 3.5 year journey

The UK Royal Navy’s fleet of amphibious all-terrain vehicles – Vikings – have reached full operational capability (FOC) after a 3.5 year journey. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) announced in September 2012 that 99 Viking vehicles, used extensively by the Royal Marines, would be regenerated under a new $54 (£37) million contract with BAE Systems.






http://worlddefencenews.blogspot.com/

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Some 10 UK Soldiers Arrive in Somalia to Help Counter Al-Shabaab Militants



Around 10 soldiers of the British Army have arrived in Somalia as part of a United Nations mission to counter the al-Shabaab militant group, local media reported Monday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – According to the BBC, the advance party will support African Union peacekeeping efforts against the group.




Around 10 soldiers of the British Army have arrived in Somalia as part of a United Nations mission to counter the al-Shabaab militant group, local media reported Monday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – According to the BBC, the advance party will support African Union peacekeeping efforts against the group.



Read more: http://sputniknews.com/military/20160502/1038935398/uk-soldiers-somalia-shabaab.html#ixzz47UW3I9YC

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Ministry of Defence unveils new armed drone that can spy on targets for twice as long to double RAF fleet

Ben Farmer, defence correspondent
1 MAY 2016 • 6:00PM




Britain will double its fleet of armed surveillance drones with a new upgraded generation of unmanned aircraft able to fly for nearly twice as long, laden with more bombs, missiles and sensors, the MoD has disclosed.

The 79ft wingspan, remotely piloted planes will be able to circle over and spy on targets for nearly two days, while sophisticated new flight computers mean they will be able to fly in bad weather and survive ice, lightning and bird strikes.

The new General Atomics Certifiable Predator B, which is expected to be named Protector when used by the RAF from the end of this decade, is likely to be at the forefront of spying and air strike campaigns against militant and terror groups such as Islamic State.

First details of the new aircraft have been disclosed as defence officials signed a £415m contract with the Pentagon to buy 20 of the new drones to replace the RAF’s 10 existing MQ-9 Reapers.


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/05/01/ministry-of-defence-unveils-new-armed-drone-that-can-spy-on-targ/

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Des militaires britanniques sont arrivés en Somalie pour soutenir la force de l’Union africaine


Posté dans Afrique, Forces terrestres par Laurent Lagneau Le 03-05-2016



Le ministère britannique de la Défense (MoD) a annoncé, le 2 mai, l’arrivée en Somalie d’un premier détachement de la British Army dont la mission sera d’appuyer l’AMISOM, la force de l’Union africaine qui, soutenue par les Nations unies, est aux prises avec les jihadistes des milices shebab, liées à al-Qaïda.

Ce détachement fournira à l’AMISOM des capacités dans les domaine du génie et de la logistique ainsi que des services médicaux. Au total, Londres a prévu de déployer 70 militaires en Somalie. Il ne participera donc pas aux combats contre les jihadistes.

« Ce déploiement est une autre démonstration de la flexibilité et de la portée mondiale de nos forces armées », a commenté Michael Fallon, le ministre britannique de la Défense. « Parallèlement à nos efforts en Irak, en Syrie et au Nigeria, il montre notre détermination à lutter contre le terrorisme partout où il dresse sa tête », a-t-il ajouté.

L’envoi de ces militaires de la British Army fait suite à l’engagement pris par le Premier ministre britannique, David Cameron en septembre 2015. Ce dernier avait également annoncé l’intégration de 300 autres soldats au sein de la MINUSS, la mission des Nations unies au Sud-Soudan. Toutefois, il n’avait pas donné de calendrier.

Cette annonce ne manqua pas, à l’époque, de faire réagir les shebab. Ces militaires britanniques « ne feront aucune différence », avait alors assuré Cheikh Ali Mohamud Rage, leur porte-parole. « Nos ancêtres ont combattu les colonialistes britanniques dans le passé et nous emprunteront la même voie », avait-il continué avant d’ajouter : « Ils seront accueillis par des balles, non par des fleurs. »

Cela étant, le contingent britannique envoyé en Somalie y retrouveront une « centaine » de conseillers militaires américains, basés à l’aéroport de Mogadiscio. Les États-Unis y mènent d’ailleurs régulièrement des raids aériens contre les shebab.

Photo : Soldats britanniques / Archive (c) British Army

http://www.opex360.com/2016/05/03/des-militaires-britanniques-sont-arrives-en-somalie-pour-soutenir-la-force-de-lunion-africaine/

[quote]Forces aériennes 2030 : des réflexions pour l'avenir
Dans Actualité Défense, Actualité Forces aériennes, Actualité Avions de combat, Actualité Avions de mission, Actualité drones militaires
Publié le 04/05/2016 à 15h35, par Yann Cochennec

Le 21 avril, des spécialistes américains, britanniques et français se sont réunis au ministère de la Défense pour évoquer leur vision des forces aériennes en 2030. Un constat s'impose : la relative liberté d'action qu'ont connue les forces aériennes occidentales sur les différents théâtres d'opérations ne sera probablement pas garantie dans le futur. Partout se développent des capacités de déni d'action qui remettront en cause la maîtrise de l'espace aérien......

... se pose également la question des technologies clés pour les futures plateformes...Air & Cosmos expose donc les différentes problématiques qui se posent aux Forces aériennes à l'horizon 2030....

Pour en savoir plus, rendez-vous dans vos kiosques et kiosques numériques, ce vendredi 6 mai....


http://www.air-cosmos.com/forces-aeriennes-2030-des-reflexions-pour-l-avenir-71803

Citation :

QinetiQ wins new contract to command multiple unmanned systems to defeat sea mines


QinetiQ is to demonstrate the integration of unmanned systems into Royal Navy operations, under a £1m contract with the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD). Under the contract with the Mine countermeasures and Hydrographic Capability (MHC) team in the MOD’s Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), QinetiQ will provide a demonstration system to explore the integration of unmanned surface and underwater vehicles into Royal Navy operations. The system includes displays, software and computing infrastructure; it is fully transportable and capable of integrating unmanned systems from multiple suppliers.







http://worlddefencenews.blogspot.com/

Citation :

Babcock wins UK MoD contract to manage lease and hire vehicles fleet


The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has contracted Babcock to manage its fleet of lease and hire vehicles in a bid to save £100m.

Valued at £47m, the contract requires the company to manage the MoD's 'white fleet' of cars, vans, trucks and specialist vehicles covering the UK and Northern Europe.

The MoD uses hire or lease vehicles to transport personnel and equipment around the country, often to areas not accessible by public transport.

The vehicles are used for various tasks, including moving defence personnel, supporting military operations and training exercises, and providing emergency support to civil authorities and communities.


UK Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said: "Defence has the strongest incentive to be efficient. Every pound that we save on vehicle hire will be reinvested into a defence budget that keeps Britain safe.

"I want to see us meet and exceed the £100m target."

The contract covers procurement of vehicles via the Crown Commercial Services, incident management, administrative services, and maintenance and repair management.

It also allows increased use of scheduled transport services and vehicle sharing.

The army, the MoD's largest user of fleet vehicles, is already using a car pooling hub at Aldershot.



http://www.army-technology.com/news/newsbabcock-wins-uk-mod-contract-to-manage-lease-and-hire-vehicles-fleet-4883992

Citation :

MBDA's enhanced Brimstone achieves final operational evaluation with RAF

The Brimstone air-to-surface missile developed by MBDA has successfully undertaken challenging operational evaluation trials by the Royal Air Force (RAF) that confirm the performance of the missile's latest technical enhancements.






http://worlddefencenews.blogspot.com/

Citation :

UK Reaper seen fitted with new 'classified' antenna

Gareth Jennings, London and Martin Streetly, London - IHS Jane's International Defence Review
06 May 2016




The United Kingdom has equipped at least one of its General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc (GA-ASI) MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with a hitherto unknown antenna that may be for signals intelligence (SIGINT), communications, or the long-distance transmission of data, a media report from "somewhere in the Middle East" has shown.

Footage shown on Sky News on 5 May shows a Reaper ZZ206 fitted with a large underfuselage antenna not normally fitted to the aircraft. The appendage is deemed classified enough for the broadcaster to blur it out of several frames of the report, most likely at the insistence of the Ministry of Defence (MoD). Interestingly, Sky News has omitted to disguise the system in a number of key shots, probably in error. These multiple-angle shots show the antenna to be a blade fairing, perhaps with a secondary aerodynamic function.

While the antenna's function is not apparently clear, it may well be some form of communication intelligence receiver for the collection of SIGINT, such as mobile phone intercepts and the like. The fact that the MoD apparently felt the need to request its blurring indicates that the antenna does have some sort of clandestine function, though SIGINT configurations usually entail an array of antennas, as opposed to just one. Another option is a communications antenna for special forces on the ground to direct attacks on enemy positions. Its location under the aircraft would certainly be best placed for either hoovering up data or communicating with the ground.

Alternatively, the blade could be a high frequency (HF) transmitter/receiver for the broadcast/receipt of data over intercontinental distances. Bandwidth limitations are one of the key inhibitors to UAV operations today and such a system, were it to be an HF antenna, would be a major force enabler in their use over the battlefield. Such an upgrade would enable UK operators to obviate the need to use valuable satellite bandwidth, which would ordinarily be in great demand for UAV communications links.

The Royal Air Force is understood to have all 10 of its Reapers flying out of Kuwait in support of UK operations over Iraq and Syria; dubbed Operation 'Shader'. It is unclear if ZZ206 is the only platform equipped with this new system, or if it is a fleet-wide enhancement. What is clear is that it has not previously been seen on any other Reaper in service with the UK or any other operator.

Citation :

11/05/2016

Intégration du Brimstone II sur Tornado !




La Royal Air Force a effectué une série d'essais de la variante améliorée du missile MBDA Brimstone II sur des appareils de type Panavia Tornado GR4. Ces essais doivent permettre la qualification du missile sur l’avion.

Onze vols ont été effectués au cours de l'évaluation opérationnelle, qui a été menée en février dernier sur le site de l'US Naval Air Weapons Station de China Lake en Californie. L'activité marque une «étape importante» en vue de l’intégration définitive de l'arme sur les Tornado GR4, puis plus tard sur l’Eurofighter en 2018. La capacité opérationnelle initiale devrait être accordée ce mois, pour utilisation sur le Tornado GR4.

Le Tornado GR4 de la RAF :

Le Tornado GR4 de la RAF permet les opérations tout temps d’attaque et de reconnaissance. Il est en service dans la RAF depuis maintenant près de 30 ans, mais une combinaison de programmes de mise à niveau et de nombreuses améliorations continuelles ont permis de garder l'avion à l'avant-garde. Le standard actuel du GR4 lui permet de mettre en oeuvre des armes à guidage de précision modernes en parallèle avec la nacelle de désignation « Litening III » qui est utilisée dans les deux rôles d'attaque et de reconnaissance. Le Tornado GR4 emporte les armements suivantes : Storm Shadow, Brimstone, Sidewinder AIM-9L, Paveway II, III Paveway, Enhanced Paveway, Paveway IV, ASRAAM.

Propulsé par deux réacteurs Rolls-Royce RB199 Mk103, le GR4 est capable de voler très bas au niveau du vol à une vitesse supersonique et peut maintenir une vitesse de croisière subsonique élevée. L'avion peut voler automatiquement à un niveau bas en utilisant le guidage sol (ISF) de manière automatique. L'avion est également équipé d'un Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) et des lunettes de vision nocturne (NVG) compatible avec les instruments du cockpit.

Pour la navigation, le Tornado est équipé d'un système intégré de navigation Global Positioning inertielle (GPINS). Le GR4 dispose également d'un radar au sol de cartographie (GMR) pour identifier les points fixes. Le GR4 est également équipé d'un laser de marquage de cible «Seeker» (LRMTS) qui peut être utilisé pour localiser des cibles désignées sur le sol et peut fournir des informations de cibles au sol. Pour la reconnaissance, il peut également être doté de la nacelle « RAPTOR2. Sa mise en service a donné au GR4 la capacité de transmettre en temps réel les informations. Les Tornado de la RAF sont progressivement remplacés par l’Eurofihgter au sein de la RAF d’ici 2021.

MBDA Brimstone II :

Le Brimstone II dispose de plusieurs améliorations par rapport à la version actuelle, la portée et la précision font partie de celles-ci, de plus la nouvelle ogive est beaucoup plus létale que l’actuelle. Le missile Brimstone II fonctionne avec un système de radar autonome à ondes millimétriques, qui lui permet de frapper des cibles mobiles.


Photos : 1 Tornado GR4 doté de Brimstone II et Paveway II, nacelle Litening III 2 Brimstone II et nacelle Litening @ RAF

http://psk.blog.24heures.ch/archive/2016/05/11/integration-du-brimstone-ii-sur-tornado-861393.html

Citation :

Large military exercise "Noble Partner 2016" in Georgia with Georgian U.S. and British troops.

Georgia has launched a two-week military exercise with United States and United Kingdom under the code name of "Noble Partner 2016" at Vaziani base near Tbilisi in Georgia. Some 500 Georgian, 650 US and 150 British troops are taking part in the drills.






Soldiers of Georgia, U.S. and UK participate in the joint military exercises named "Noble Partner 2016" at Vaziani base near Tbilisi in Georgia, May 14, 2016

http://worlddefencenews.blogspot.com/