British Armed Forces

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British spies briefed Merkel on ISIS threat
Published time: 24 Dec, 2015 14:11Edited time: 24 Dec, 2015 14:13
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Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel © Yves Herman / Reuters
UK military action in Syria will be 'legal' without UNSC resolution - PM Cameron
Downing Street did not comment on the paper’s claims, which included details of who attended the meeting. Andrew Parker of MI5, Alex Younger of MI6, and Robert Hannigan of GCHQ, were all reportedly in attendance.

The briefing took place before Islamic State’s attack on Paris, which left 130 dead and more than 300 injured.

The last time the German Chancellor received a similar briefing was after the Charlie Hebdo attacks in Paris last January, in which the offices of the satirical magazine were stormed and members of the editorial staff killed.

In the wake of the most recent attacks on Paris, there has been a greater demand for intelligence sharing between states.

Merkel herself has come under fire for offering migrants and refugees safe legal passage into Germany over fears terrorists are abusing the right of free movement to roam around Europe.

Read more

Cameron’s response to ISIS: £2bn military boost, 2,000 new spies, double drone fleet
Following the Paris attacks, Cameron pledged to double the aviation security budget and recruit 1,900 new intelligence and security officers.

Cameron promised to increase the current military budget by an additional £2 billion ($3 billion), which is to be spent by the Special Air Service (SAS) and other special units over the next five years to expand capabilities.

In his annual address to the Lord Mayor of London’s Banquet last month, the prime minister justified bolstering the military budget by citing Britain’s commitment to NATO’s symbolic target of spending two percent of GDP on defense.

British military base in Cyprus: Its thought that information is being gathered at Ayios Nikolaos, in the British Sovereign Base Area of Dhekelia, a listening station of the spying network ECHELON.

The extra cash will be spent on new weapons and vehicles, which could include helicopters as well as protective equipment.

There will be “more money every year” for drones, fighter aircraft, and cyber-defenses, he said. In fact, the UK’s drone fleet will double in size.

British MPs voted in favor of extending airstrikes against IS from Iraq into Syria at the beginning of December.

British spies briefed Merkel on ISIS threat — RT UK

@Bundeswehr Long live Anglo-German relations. Brother in arms.

 

[mike2000 is back]

Let's continue with Britain's oversea military bases.

Canada
The British Army's training base in Canada.

Exercise Prairie Storm is a Battlegroup level exercise held on the prairies of Alberta, Canada.

The Royal Tank Regiment Battlegroup spent four weeks at The British Army Training Unit Suffield (BATUS), the Army’s largest armoured training area, conducting training on a wide range of weapon systems and vehicles, including the Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank and the Warrior infantry fighting vehicle.

Royal Tank Regiment formed-up at BATUS during Ex Prairie Storm:

 

[mike2000 is back]

The First Fusiliers Battlegroup have recently deployed onto the BATUS (British Army Training Unit Suffield) training area, in Alberta, Canada, for the start of Exercise Prairie Storm.

This is the second Prairie Storm exercise of the year which will see elements of the battlegroup conduct two weeks of training on live fire ranges. After this they will move onto further training within a realistic environment provided by Tactical Engagement Simulation (TES) equipment and training scenarios provided by a team of skilled actors.

Throughout the TES training the battlegroup will face an opposition force provided by The Queens Royal Hussars.

 

[mike2000 is back]

Ascension Island (British Overseas Territory)

RAF Ascension (more commonly known as RAF Ascension Island, and sometimes known as Wideawake Airfield or Ascension Island Base), is a British Royal Air Force station on Ascension Island in the Atlantic Ocean, near the Equator.RAF Ascension Island was re-garrisoned by the RAF in 1982 and used extensively as a staging airfield during the Falklands War. Operation Black Buck, the long range Vulcan bombing raid, was carried out from there. The airfield continues this staging post role for the Falkland Islands for the RAF.

Operations
The station comes under the overall jurisdiction of the Commander British Forces South Atlantic Islands, an officer of one-star rank. The RAF airfield on Ascension Island is run on a day-to-day basis by around nineteen RAF personnel, headed by a Wing Commander.

RAF Ascension Island is also the refuelling point for the Ministry of Defence's South Atlantic Air Bridge flights to RAF Mount Pleasant, on the Falkland Islands, from RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, in the UK

Georgetown, Ascension Island.

RAF Ascension

RAF base in ascension island

Royal airforce transport aircraft in Ascension islands.

 

[mike2000 is back]

Royal air force personnel in Ascension islands

To watch more....

 

[mike2000 is back]

Saint Helena (British Overseas Territory)

Jamestown, Saint Helena

News of Saint Helena's new (and first!) airport

"The team from Flight Calibration Services Limited (FCSL) and TAB Charters – who made the first ever landing at St Helena Airport and carried out a series of calibration flights between 15 and 23 September 2015 – has now submitted their preliminary findings and Basil Read is in the process of undertaking corrective actions.

As is normal after initial calibration testing of navigational aids, there are corrections which Basil Read will now make. The majority of these are minor tweaks to equipment, but in a few cases some redesign and relocation work might be required. This includes the Localiser and DVOR. Basil Read is working with Thales and FCSL to carry out modelling work to inform the design and determine the extent of the rectification work. FCSL will return to the Island, possibly in the latter part of 2015 or early 2016, to recalibrate the NavAids following the rectification work.

“The calibration flights are serving their purpose in helping us to achieve a world class facility for St Helena. In operating the Airport, safety and security will always be our primary concern.”

Further details on the second calibration flight will follow in due course."

Royal Navy’s Wildcat helicopter lands at St Helena Island airport for the first time. October 2015

Royal navy patrolling St Helena islands and it's surrounding.

St Helena's brand new runway which will also be used by Royal Airforce as an airbase for further patrols in the region.

Royal Navy Marks Historic Moment At Remote Island | Forces TV

 

[mike2000 is back]

So we will be designing and building 5 new light frigates(with option for more), which will make it easier for us to export than the current big destroyers like type 45 we have today. While only 8 of the 8000 tons Type 26 global combat will be built.
David Cameron mentioned:
"We will maintain one of the most capable anti-submarine
fleets in the world with the introduction of eight advanced Type 26 Global Combat
Ships, which will start to replace our current Type 23 frigates in their anti-submarine
role. We will maintain our fleet of 19 frigates and destroyers. We will also launch
a concept study and then design and build a new class of lighter, flexible general
purpose frigates so that by the 2030s we can further increase the total number
of frigates and destroyers. These general purpose frigates are also likely to offer
increased export potential. We will buy four further new Offshore Patrol Vessels(which are due to enter service in 2017),
increasing the Royal Navy’s ability to defend UK interests at home and abroad"

Here is and interesting graphic from the SDSR https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/s ... b_only.pdf



@Blue Marlin , @Steve781 , @James Jaevid , et al what do you make of this?
I think it's not bad(compared to the last SDSR), however , i still don't understand why we are not going ahead with 13 Type 26 as previously planned.

 

[Blue Marlin]

So we will be designing and building 5 new light frigates(with option for more), which will make it easier for us to export than the current big destroyers like type 45 we have today. While only 8 of the 8000 tons Type 26 global combat will be built.
David Cameron mentioned:
"We will maintain one of the most capable anti-submarine
fleets in the world with the introduction of eight advanced Type 26 Global Combat
Ships, which will start to replace our current Type 23 frigates in their anti-submarine
role. We will maintain our fleet of 19 frigates and destroyers. We will also launch
a concept study and then design and build a new class of lighter, flexible general
purpose frigates so that by the 2030s we can further increase the total number
of frigates and destroyers. These general purpose frigates are also likely to offer
increased export potential. We will buy four further new Offshore Patrol Vessels(which are due to enter service in 2017),
increasing the Royal Navy’s ability to defend UK interests at home and abroad"

Here is and interesting graphic from the SDSR https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/s ... b_only.pdf



@Blue Marlin , @Steve781 , @James Jaevid , et al what do you make of this?
I think it's not bad(compared to the last SDSR), however , i still don't understand why we are not going ahead with 13 Type 26 as previously planned.

what about the 100+ f35b's we are getting?
i heard we maybe phasing out our older typhoons and get some tranche 3b

 

[mike2000 is back]

what about the 100+ f35b's we are getting?
i heard we maybe phasing out our older typhoons and get some tranche 3b

Yes bro. We are still getting the 138 F35B as the government confirmed recently, which will form the backbone of the Royal Air-force this coming decade(together with the upgraded Typhoons). However, while all 138 F-35Bs have been committed to, financing announced in the SDSR itself covers only the first 42 aircraft to be in service by 2023. So we will definitely be getting about 100 minimum, maybe not the full 135. Depends on our leaders. But im sure we will be getting at least 100 minimum. Since it is needed not only for our carriers/navy but air-force as well and most of all many British defence Giants like BAE and Rolls Royce are heavily involved in building key components for this fighter as well.

Britain to purchase 138 F-35's
SDSR 2015: UK commits to full F-35B procurement, fast tracks initial deliveries | IHS Jane's 360

So the more we buy,others will follow suit which will mean more revenue for our defence giants as well. WIN-WIN.

As for the Typhoons,Now we wont be phasing them out. Since the recent strategic review the government extended their service, plus the RAF has begun receiving the first of 40 Tranche 3A aircraft (the status of the proposed buy of 43 Tranche 3B aircraft has not been confirmed yet, but i assume they will be these coming months).
For the Tranche 1 you mentioned, it is likely that, if as expected that they will be used for air defence duties that do not require the Phase Enhancements (PE) upgrade packages earmarked for the Tranche 2 and Tranche 3 platforms. since the MOD confirmed that the Tranche 2 and 3 platforms will be prioritised for upgrades to include AESA and enhanced ground attack capabilities.
So we will be receiving more enhanced Typhoons while maintaining the current old ones for air defence duties which i think is a smart think to do. For once they didn't **** this one up. lol since along with the (eventual) full fleet of F35s to be bought, P8s and new Protector drone fleet the UK will once again have a combat aircraft fleet that is not only high tech but of a reasonable size to keep us up there. Not bad at all, though more needs to be done IMO.

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploa...8933/52309_Cm_9161_NSS_SD_Review_web_only.pdf

British Indian Ocean Territory (British Overseas Territory)

Diego Garcia

Diego Garcia, British Indian Ocean Territory

The Military base is jointly managed by the Royal navy and U.S navy

Royal Navy's nuclear submarine docks in Diego Garcia: HMS Trenchant passed nine-month milestone on patrol in Indian Ocean 2014.

THE BRIT CLUB on DIEGO GARCIA,BRITISH INDIAN OCEAN TERRITORY.

HMS Protector also made a port call in Diego Garcia on her way to the antarctic

 

[mike2000 is back]

Apart from the huge naval base the Royal navy is currently building in Bahrain which will be hosting the QE carrier , there is also the Royal navy anti piracy HQ in Bahrain as well, which has been operational since last June.

Bahrain: UK Royal Navy establishes anti-piracy HQ

A still from the 2013 Captain Phillips movie depicting pirates hijacking the MV Maersk Alabama. (Twitter)
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Abdulla Said Al Mansouri
,
Bahraini Navy Force
,
Iain Lindsay
,
Royal Navy
,
UK Maritime Component Command
A multi-million dollar headquarters to oversee the UK's counter-piracy and maritime anti-terrorism efforts in the Gulf will open next week in Bahrain, a report said.

The BD6.3 million ($16.5 million) expansion of the UK Maritime Component Command (UKMCC) complex in Juffair, which constitutes Britain's largest maritime forces investment on foreign soil, is complete, reported the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

The project comprises a new headquarters and an engineering and logistics facility.

The GDN reported in April last year that both buildings were expected to be completed by July this year to coincide with the completion of the Salman Naval Base, previously known as Mina Salman Port.

However, British Ambassador Iain Lindsay told the GDN exclusively that the facility was ready ahead of schedule. "The regional headquarters of the Royal Navy will be opened on June 15," he said.

"The Royal Navy oversees activity not in the Arabian Gulf but in the Gulf of Aden, Red Sea and Western Indian Ocean."

Former UK Minister of State for the Armed Forces Mark Francois last year attended a ground-breaking ceremony for the new complex, joined by Lindsay, Royal Bahraini Navy Force Commander Commodore Abdulla Said Al Mansouri and other officials.

The headquarters will help foil drug smuggling efforts and maintain maritime security in the region.

The original maritime headquarters was built in 2001 when there was a head count of just eight people, but there are now more than 80 British personnel working for the UKMCC.

The Royal Navy has maintained a continuous presence in the Gulf since 1980 and is the second-biggest Western maritime force stationed in Bahrain after the US.

Bahrain: UK Royal Navy establishes anti-piracy HQ | Al Bawaba

 

[mike2000 is back]

Britain's hydrographic ice patrol and survey Ships


THE SURVEYING FLOTILLA
The Surveying Flotilla is a disparate group of ships which probe the waters of the world in a task which has been carried out by Royal Navy ships for centuries.


HMS SCOTT
HMS Scott is the Royal Navy’s only ocean survey vessel. At 13,500 tonnes Scott is the fifth largest ship in the Royal Navy but only needs a crew of 78.

HMS PROTECTOR
HMS Protector is the Royal Navy’s Ice patrol Ship and is deployed on operations for 330 days a year.

Ship's company whilst alongside in Cape Verde.

 

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HMS ENTERPRISE
HMS Enterprise was launched at Appledore in Devon in 2002 and is designed to carry out a wide range of survey work, including support to submarine and amphibious operations.

 

[Aepsilons]

The Red Arrows flying in formation over the Al Hamra Tower in Kuwait City

LOVE IT!!!!!

 

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HMS ECHO
Echo is the lead ship of the Echo class(HMS Enterprise being the secound), the ship was launched at Appledore in Devon in 2002, and was designed to carry out a wide range of survey work, including support to submarine and amphibious operations

 

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HMS ENDURANCE

HMS Endurance is an icebreaker in the Royal Navy ice patrol ship . She was chartered by the Royal Navy in 1991 as HMS Polar Circle, before being purchased outright and renamed HMS Endurance in 1992.

Britain's military drone base opens its doors for cameras for first time

Military chiefs have for the first time opened the doors to Britain’s drone headquarters where pilots in rural Lincolnshire use satellite links to fly missions on the other side of the world.
Pilots of 13 Squadron at RAF Waddington fly armed MQ-9 Reaper drones, which are based in a Kandahar airfield in southern Afghanistan, Syria and Iraq from bases in Kuwait, Bahrain and UAE.
The ten reaper aircraft are part of Britain’s growing fleet of hundreds of unmanned military aircraft.
Britain’s drones range from the vast 66ft wingspan Reapers armed with Hellfire missiles and laser-guided bombs, to tiny hand held mini helicopters to allow troops to see around corners or over walls.
Commanders said they wanted to counter perceptions the controversial aircraft are unaccountable, robotic killers.
Air Vice-Marshal Phil Osborn said: “We are comfortable that when we release a weapon, we do it under really tight rules of engagement and we do it under exactly the same restrictions as manned aircraft.”
Reaper aircraft have flown 54,000 hours of missions over Afghanistan since 2007 and carried out 459 air strikes.
Britain’s Reaper drones since April missions have also been controlled by pilots stationed at RAF Waddington.
A Royal Navy drone, the Scan Eagle, made its first operational flight this week when it was launched by a catapult off the flight deck of the RFA Cardigan Bay in the Indian Ocean.