Tag: Ministry of Defence

PRESS RELEASE : 30,000 Ukrainian recruits trained in largest UK military training effort since Second World War [November 2023]

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 10 November 2023.

Total number of Ukrainian soldiers trained under UK Armed Forces programmes is now more than 52,000.

More than 30,000 ordinary Ukrainian men and women have trained to become soldiers under the largest military training programme of its kind on British soil since the Second World War.

Ahead of schedule, the UK-led Op Interflex has reached the milestone of 30,000 recruits trained in the UK since June 2022 – taking the total number of trained Ukrainian soldiers to more than 52,000 since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine in 2014.

The training was set up in the UK after Op Orbital, the British Army’s long term training programme in Ukraine, had to be paused when Russia launched its full-scale invasion against Ukraine in February 2022. Op Interflex launched in June 2022 and had the target of training 30,000 troops by the end of 2023.

Delivered in locations throughout the UK, the world-leading programme takes volunteer recruits who have joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine with little to no previous military experience and teaches them the skills required to survive and be effective in frontline combat. The training allows Ukraine’s forces to accelerate their deployments, rebuild their forces, and scale-up their resistance as they continue to defend their nation’s sovereignty against Russian invaders.

After launching last summer, a number of international partner forces joined the programme, providing vital experience, training and insight into frontline combat. These countries include Canada, New Zealand, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Lithuania, The Netherlands and Australia. And today, NATO ally Romania has also confirmed its involvement, taking the total number of partner nations to ten.

The course is delivered over a minimum period of five weeks and includes weapons handling, battlefield first aid, Law of Armed Conflict training, patrol tactics and rural environment training. During the past 12 months, the UK’s wider package of support has also evolved to include upskilling Ukrainian Marines, with British Commandos training Ukraine’s forces in small boat amphibious operations, as well as mine-clearance training by the Royal Engineers, trauma response training and even Army chaplaincy support for Ukrainian padres.

The Prime Minister and President Zelenskyy visited Ukrainian forces training in the UK in February. The leaders heard, first-hand, how the training the Ukrainian soldiers were receiving on British Challenger 2 tanks would give them the upper hand on the battlefield and allow them to push back Russian forces.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said:

I am incredibly proud of all the British and Ukrainian soldiers, sailors, airmen and women involved in this major undertaking – their dedication and professionalism today is ensuring peace for our continent in the future.

Op Interflex has changed the equation of this war, harnessing Ukraine’s spirit, courage and determination, and matching it with global military expertise.

The crucial contribution of our international partners to this programme reinforces the global support for Ukraine and underlines our united belief that Ukraine can and will win this war.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said:

Op Interflex’s size and ambition is unrivalled, the programme is a key example of how the UK can help galvanise the international community into supporting the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

I’m delighted we will exceed the target for this year and thank the UK trainers and our international partners who have worked night and day to reach the milestone ahead of schedule. I also pay tribute to the determination and resilience of the brave Ukrainian recruits that arrive on British shores.

Commander Interflex, Col James Thurstan said:

The UK and international partner forces are working hard to provide Ukrainian recruits with the skillsets needed to defend their sovereign territory.

We work closely with the Armed Forces of Ukraine to ensure that the capabilities provided to them meet the tactical demands of the conflict as it evolves.

Head of the Main Department of Doctrine and Training of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Major General Oleksii Taran said:

Ukrainian Defense Forces highly appreciate and are grateful to the United Kingdom, its nation and government for the opportunity to train Ukrainian personnel at British military bases as part of the multinational training Operation Interflex.

A jointly developed training programme taking into account the Ukrainian experience, professionalism, and discipline of the multinational instructor community. The exceptional thoughtfulness of the logistical and material-technical dimension of the operation ensures the highest standards of both the basic combined military training of the Ukrainian recruits and the training of Ukrainian instructors and mid-level commanders.

We notice the greater fighting capacity of the servicemen and women of the Armed Forces of Ukraine who successfully completed the Interflex training course, their resilience and ability to engage hard with the enemy under bombardment. They have warfare and basic weapon handling skills, are trained to conduct combat operations in trenches and urban areas, have basic military medical training according to international protocols, and are knowledgeable about the Law of Armed Conflict.

This is undoubtedly an impressive contribution of Great Britain and partner countries in Ukraine’s fight against the unprovoked and criminal Russian aggression.

Since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Russia has lost over 50% of the land it initially captured following the February 2022 invasion.

As well as the major training programme, the UK continues to support Ukraine to push back Russian forces. As part of the £4.6bn worth of UK military support, we have provided long range missiles, western main battle tanks, and logistical support to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

This is in addition to the $60bn raised for Ukraine during the Ukraine Recovery Conference held in London in June.

November 10, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : £4 billion UK-Poland air defence deal strengthens European security [November 2023]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 7 November 2023.

The UK and Poland defence industries have signed a deal worth over £4 billion to continue the next phase of Poland’s future air defence programme, Narew.
Industry deal worth over £4bn to deliver next generation air defence system to Poland.

Partnership to bolster European security in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Work will enable critical skills and jobs in both countries.

The UK and Poland defence industries have today signed a milestone deal, worth over £4 billion, to continue the next phase of Poland’s future air defence programme, Narew.

UK firm MBDA has signed the sub-contract with Polish defence company PGZ, in a programme that will provide Polish forces with an enhanced ground-based air defence system capable of launching missiles to engage air threats, such as cruise missiles and fighter jets, at ranges of more than 40 kilometres. It will create more than 1,000 Common Anti-Air Modular Missiles – Extended Range (CAMM-ER) and over 100 iLaunchers.

Bolstering security and defence development for both NATO countries, the deal is the largest commercial agreement ever secured between the UK and Poland.

It is the culmination of years of close collaboration and will strengthen Poland’s military capabilities, while delivering on the UK Prime Minister’s priority to grow the economy and continuing to showcase British industry as a leading global defence partner.

Bringing significant benefit to both nations’ defence industries, the partnership will see British engineers from Bolton, Bristol and Stevenage working with their Polish counterparts, sharing key technologies and supporting jobs and critical skills in both countries for more than 15 years.

Defence Secretary, Grant Shapps, said:

This is another crucial step forward for our historic defence ties with Poland, supplying next generation air defence capabilities to act as a clear deterrent to our adversaries.

We continue to fully back our thriving UK defence industry, and this landmark export deal is yet another example of the huge potential our collective defence sectors boast.

In addition to the air defence launchers and missiles, the partnership will see the UK support Poland to be able to manufacture complex missiles on Polish soil in years to come, further increasing regional security through greater supply chain flexibility.

This contract is a huge step forward in UK-Polish defence relations, building on the UK-Polish Defence Treaty and the UK–Poland 2030 strategic partnership, which will be of long-term benefit to the defence, jobs and skills of both nations.

Managing Director of MBDA UK, Chris Allam said:

The scale and ambition of NAREW is truly impressive – building a Polish air defence shield using our CAMM family missiles and iLaunchers that will protect the entirety of Poland’s skies.

The transfer of technology in NAREW will be transformative for Poland’s sovereign complex weapons capabilities, and we are deeply proud of the trust placed in us by Poland and excited for the future of our partnership with PGZ.

Following a contract awarded by the Polish government to PGZ in September this year, the Narew system will utilise MBDA’s CAMM-ER missile, developed jointly by the UK and Italy, in addition to Polish radars, vehicles and other equipment together with the United States’ Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS).

Earlier this year, the UK and Poland announced the first stage of a programme to deliver the CAMM to Poland in a £1.9 billion contract. Flying at supersonic speeds, CAMM missiles can destroy modern air threats including stealth aircraft and high-speed missiles.

As historic defence partners and NATO Allies, the UK stands with Poland to defend NATO’s Eastern Flank and support Ukraine against Russian aggression.

The UK and Poland are close Allies, with hundreds of British troops deployed to the country at any one time. That includes the recent deployments of Challenger 2 tanks and Sky Sabre air defence systems to Poland.
November 7, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Progress of landmark UK-Japan treaties driven forward as Defence Secretary visits Tokyo [November 2023]

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 7 November 2023.

The visit is the latest in a series of high-level UK-Japan bilateral engagements this year, driving progress on two major treaties.

Driving forward advanced technology and cooperating closely to promote freedom and democracy is at the heart of the defence relationship between the UK and Japan, which Defence Secretary Grant Shapps hailed in a meeting with his counterpart in Tokyo.

The Defence Secretary met his counterpart, Minister of Defense Minoru Kihara, for a series of meetings to further progress on two major treaties which will increase interoperability between the UK Armed Forces and Japan Self Defence Forces and cement our commitment to shared security.

It follows the signing and implementation of the ground-breaking Reciprocal Access Agreement by the Prime Minister earlier this year, which will underpin our shared defence activity by enabling the UK and Japan to operate and exercise together more easily, as well as continued work on developing a framework agreement for the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP).

The UK and Japan are each other’s closest security partner in Europe and Asia respectively, a commitment reaffirmed in the Hiroshima Accord announced by PM Sunak and PM Kishida on the margins of the G7 Summit this summer.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said:

Amid increasing tension and instability across the world – it is more clear than ever that the threats we face are global, and it’s particularly important we strengthen our relations with our international partners and allies.

In my meetings with Minister Kihara, we discussed how to further deepen our cooperation through these two landmark treaties and reaffirmed our commitment to building a truly next-generation combat aircraft through GCAP.

Despite the distance between us, the UK and Japan stand closer together than ever before in support of peace, stability, and the rules-based international order.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly has also been in Japan for a meeting of the G7 and both UK ministers joined their Japanese counterparts for a combined meeting, during which shared security interests such as support for Ukraine in its defence against Putin’s illegal invasion and condemnation of the Hamas attack against Israel, were discussed.

The UK remains the only European partner to have a bilateral exercise on Japanese soil, and the Army and Japanese Ground Self Defense Forces (GSDF) are currently planning Exercise Vigilant Isles 2023, which will see more than 150 UK personnel deploy to Japan this month – further demonstrating the UK’s commitment to the Indo-Pacific region, as set out through this year’s refreshed Defence Command Paper.

At sea, persistently deployed Offshore Patrol Vessels HMS Tamar and HMS Spey have enabled the UK to operate closely with Japan and regional partners to promote maritime security.

Work between the UK, Japan, and Italy continues on developing GCAP, which will futureproof our Combat Air sectors and deliver enhanced investment in our people and technology, deepening integration of supply chains. It will bring together defence and security expertise from across our three nations to strengthen our defence industrial base and secure high skilled jobs.

November 7, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : World-leading surgical mannequin used to train military surgeons on immersive exercise for first time [November 2023]

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 3 November 2023.

A cutting-edge trauma casualty simulation mannequin, invented and developed by a UK clinician and funded by the Ministry of Defence, has been used for the first time in a full-scale field hospital training exercise.

Invented and developed by civilian orthopaedic major trauma surgeon Professor Ian Pallister, the Surgical Advanced Mannequin (SAM model) is a world-leading training simulation model which can be inserted with different injury patterns such as blast wounds and gunshots. It can also ‘breathe’ and be pumped with ‘blood’ to simulate bleeding.

The innovative mannequin, refined over a ten-year development period, has enabled Armed Forces medical teams to participate in a highly realistic level of training on a clinical exercise run by the Army Medical Services Training Centre (AMSTC).

Earlier versions of the SAM model have also been used to train Ukrainian military surgeons.

Minister for Defence People, Veterans and Service Families, Dr Andrew Murrison, who is a doctor in the Reserves, said:

These world-class training models are an excellent demonstration of the type of innovative equipment produced by UK defence and our industry partners. They play a vital part in delivering cutting-edge training to both our Ukrainian allies and our exemplary military medical and surgical teams in the UK, helping to ensure they continue to be the very best at what they do.

Professor Pallister developed the SAM model using CT scans and 3D-printed masters of specific wounds such as a gunshot or pelvic injury. His latest version of the model can be intubated, have dead ‘tissue’ removed, and be used for exploratory surgery.

Professor Ian Pallister said:

SAM models, which have been taken on board Royal Navy ships and deployed in land environments, are the product of years of constant redesign and redevelopment and these evolving innovations would not have been possible without the close cooperation of Defence Medical Service colleagues and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory.

Clinical Adviser for Deployed Hospital Care, Army Medical Services Training, Colonel Jonny Round said:

Traditionally at AMSTC, we’ve used a live casualty actor with some make-up to deliver a list of symptoms and injuries. Professor Pallister’s model simulates, very realistically, combat wounds requiring surgical intervention.

The surgeons get to operate, and the entire team train, in a field hospital that replicates the one they will find themselves deployed to. We are immensely proud that through this training we can deliver world-class medical teams to operations.

November 6, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Grant Shapps and Richard Marles visit key nuclear site [November 2023]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 3 November 2023.

Australian defence industry specialists have been embedded in UK industry to collaborate on next-generation attack submarines – SSN-AUKUS.
- Australian and UK representatives visit Rolls-Royce nuclear reactor manufacturing site.
- Australian industry experts embedded with UK defence companies to progress attack submarine collaboration.
- Significant step in the AUKUS programme that is key to upholding security in the Indo-Pacific.
UK Defence Secretary, Grant Shapps, and Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister, Richard Marles, visited Rolls-Royce’s nuclear reactor manufacturing site in Derby today to meet the first group of Australian nationals training within UK industry to understand how the next generation of conventionally-armed nuclear-powered submarines are being constructed. Rolls-Royce will be the supplier of all the nuclear propulsion plants for the UK and Australian submarines.

The Ministers saw the first nuclear propulsion plant components being fabricated for the UK’s SSN-AUKUS programme, representing one of the first stages of building the submarines which will help protect our collective and economic security.

This follows an injection of £4 billion of UK funding to British businesses, including Rolls-Royce, for the development of the UK’s SSN-AUKUS submarines announced earlier this year.

The work will support Rolls-Royce in doubling the size of the Derby site and creating thousands of jobs in the UK in the coming years, backing the UK’s current and future submarine programmes.

Defence Secretary, Grant Shapps said:

A project like this can only succeed with the great work that’s being done across British Industry.

The work at Rolls-Royce in Derby is a great example of what we can achieve when we collaborate and work alongside our allies. It is inspiring to see our personnel on the ground working side by side with the Australians to deliver the most advanced submarines for our navies.

The partnership will not only help uphold stability in the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions, but also demonstrate the world-class trademark that embodies British Industry.

As part of the collaboration programme, over the next seven weeks 13 Australian nationals will embark on training and familiarisation activity across the UK. The cohort will open the door for a generation of Australians to work alongside British industry, and help deliver the next generation of conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines.

The Australian personnel will visit some of the UK’s most distinguished submarine building and sustainment experts from BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce, and Babcock. They will have the opportunity to observe how the UK develops and maintains some of the most advanced submarine technology in the world to help build their expertise and accelerate the training required to operate a nuclear-powered submarine fleet.

There will be significant new opportunities for small, medium and large enterprise across all AUKUS partners. The cooperation will result in benefits to industrial capability across all three nations with enhanced resilience of trilateral supply chains.

Australian Deputy Prime Minister, Richard Marles said:

Australia is working closely with the UK and the US to progressively develop the skills, knowledge and expertise to build, operate, and maintain conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines.

These Australian industry placements provide us with an invaluable opportunity to learn from our experienced partners in the UK, and to better understand the functions and scope of the work.

The AUKUS submarines will be the largest, most advanced and most powerful attack submarines ever operated by the Royal Navy and Royal Australian Navy and will help continue global stability for decades to come.

AUKUS cooperation will result in benefits to industrial capability across all three nations with enhanced resilience of trilateral supply chains. It will foster a deeper integration of security and defence-related science.
November 6, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : AI set to revolutionise military engineering capabilities [October 2023]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 31 October 2023.

An artificially intelligent tool will be able to solve engineering problems in seconds by identifying faults with equipment before they become problematic.
- AI software modernises Royal Navy helicopter support.
- Smarter logistical and engineering decisions offered to personnel in seconds.
- Faults with equipment will be raised before issues become problematic and costly.
A new AI tool could produce solutions to military engineering problems in seconds, helping keep more vehicles at readiness for deployment.

At Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton, a collaborative project between 1710 Naval Air Squadron (based in HMNB Portsmouth), DE&S Digital AI Team and Royal Navy Engineers is showcasing pioneering new capabilities to innovative defence software tool, ‘Motherlode’ which now utilises artificial intelligence.

‘Motherlode’ is now an artificially intelligent software that processes aircraft maintenance data at a rapid pace, reducing lengthy problem-solving tasks down to seconds. This cutting-edge software ensures that engineering problems are detected at the earliest possible point, rather than when the fault becomes problematic, allowing personnel to order spares ahead of issues arising.

Minister for Defence Procurement, James Cartlidge, visited RNAS Yeovilton to witness first-hand the capabilities the new technology, which will be used across multiple platforms including the Wildcat Maritime Attack helicopters.

The Minister’s visit comes ahead of the UK government’s AI Summit at Bletchley Park on 1 and 2 November. Investing in artificial intelligence is paramount to the continued modernisation of our Armed Forces and is a priority for the government.

Minister for Defence Procurement, James Cartlidge, said:

By investing in the power of artificial intelligence, we are ensuring that our defensive assets are not only technologically superior, but also operate with precision, efficiency, and amplified safety.

We should be proud to harness the UK’s exceptional AI talent and foster the collaboration between our brightest minds in technology and the future of defence capabilities.

The AI-enabled software will be capable of analysing historical data tailored to environmental and aircraft specific conditions to predict failures within equipment more accurately, allowing smarter decision making from the back office to the frontline.

1710 Naval Air Squadron, Commanding Officer Commander, Nicholas Almond, said:

This is just the beginning of the AI journey for the Fleet Air Arm. There are multiple use cases being explored, leveraging AI to enhance our data exploitation capabilities to maximise aircraft availability for frontline operations.

By implementing smarter logistical and engineering decisions, Motherlode will also help to ensure key defence equipment will be optimised, whilst remaining cost effective.

The full capability will be rolled out by the end of 2023 across all Royal Navy helicopters, and we are exploring its use on other Defence equipment like land-based vehicles such as the Foxhound.

Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak recently announced the creation of the Frontier AI Taskforce with an initial £100 million of funding to spearhead the UK’s leadership in this area. The UK spends more money on AI safety research than any other government in the world, with the AI industry in the UK employing more than 50,000 people and contributes £3.7 billion to our economy.
November 4, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Beach landing trials help develop future AI capabilities [October 2023]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 31 October 2023.

One of the largest maritime artificial intelligence data capture trials has taken place in Hampshire, enabling the development of new AI products for Defence.
- One of the largest maritime artificial intelligence data capture trials takes place in Hampshire.
- Enabling the development of new AI products for Defence.
- Strengthening cooperation between industry and international partners.
A large-scale maritime and beach-landing exercise on the Hampshire coast has provided vital data to help develop cutting edge AI products for the Ministry of Defence.

A Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) led exercise over five days involved 130 personnel, 13 vessels, multiple uncrewed air vehicles, a light aircraft and more than 50 cameras and sensors to record activity.

Contending with high winds up to 40 knots, landings saw personnel boarding and leaving vehicles in different ways to generate data representative of different behavioural traits.

In one scenario synchronised landings saw participants acting as a trained team such as a military unit. In another, participants exited the boats in a deliberately chaotic way, to provide a wider data sample of human movement.

The trial was a collaboration with 12 industry and international partners, supported by Royal Navy and British Army personnel, and comes ahead of the UK government’s AI Summit over the next few days. Investing in artificial intelligence is paramount to the continued modernisation of our Armed Forces and is a key priority for the UK government.

Minister for Defence Procurement, James Cartlidge, said:

Investing in new technology provides our Armed Forces with the tools they need to stay ahead of emerging threats and ensures our national security in an ever-evolving technological landscape.

Innovative, data driven exercises like this demonstrate how AI can enhance our military capabilities, enabling us to respond more efficiently to the threats of today and tomorrow.

Data captured during the exercise included visual, infrared, sonar and radar as well as supporting ‘metadata’ including platform and sensor locations, weather, sea states and other contextual information.

The video, imagery and other data captured will be used to build further datasets to train AI algorithms to recognise objects, such as other vessels. Data generated by the trial will also enable the Ministry of Defence and industry partners to develop new AI products for Defence in an ethical, safe, and responsible manner.

Carefully curated datasets are the bedrock to many AI capabilities and the sourcing and integrity of the data is crucial. The data gathered through trials such as this, will be used to validate the performance of future systems providing the operator with confidence in its abilities.

Charlie Maslen, Dstl’s trial technical authority, said:

This was an ambitious and challenging trial which builds on the experience and expertise gained during the previous land-based exercise. Conducting a trial with sensors spanning three domains – land, sea and air – involving 12 separate industry partners was immensely complex. Added to which we were hampered on 2 days by 40 knot winds.

Data generated by the trial will enable MOD and industry partners to develop new AI products for Defence, helping keep UK forces safe and delivering operational advantage. Being able to guarantee the integrity of the data underlines MOD’s commitment to the ethical, safe and responsible use of AI.
November 3, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Defence Secretary travels to Middle East on regional security mission [October 2023]

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 26 October 2023.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps travelled to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates this week to drive forward work to maintain regional stability, protect civilians and strengthen the UK’s defence partnerships.

He met with leaders in both countries as part of the UK’s coordinated diplomatic efforts to prevent a wider conflict in the Middle East and ease tensions across the region, with officials and ministers working closely with more than 40 nations. The Defence Secretary also met his counterpart in Washington DC last week to coordinate the UK and US’s response to the crisis.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said:

I’m here in the Middle East to work with some of our most valued defence partners to prevent escalation and protect all civilians.

Only by working together can we stop more innocent families being plunged into suffering.

On Wednesday, the Defence Secretary held talks in Riyadh with Defence Minister His Royal Highness (HRH) Khalid bin Salman. He underscored the UK’s priority of protecting civilians and deterring an escalation that undermines regional stability. The recent deployment of UK military assets in the eastern Mediterranean supports this priority by deterring any malign interference in the conflict.

De-escalation was also top of the agenda in Abu Dhabi, where the Defence Secretary met with President HRH Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Defence Minister Mohammed Al Bowardi. He underlined that the United Arab Emirates and other Gulf partners have a key role to play as interlocutors, mediators and leaders.

The visit came as the UK delivered twenty-one tonnes of life-saving aid for Palestinian civilians in Gaza, including wound care packs, water filters and solar lights. The aid is part of the £30 million increase in humanitarian support for the Occupied Palestinian Territories announced by the Prime Minister.

The UK remains committed to mitigating the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza and calling for international humanitarian law to be respected, while standing alongside the people of Israel against the terrorist group Hamas.

November 2, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Broader service provision for veterans in Northern Ireland [October 2023]

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 24 October 2023.

As part of the New Decade, New Approach (NDNA) Agreement, the UK Government committed to several veterans-related initiatives. One of these initiatives was a study into the expansion of the UDR & R IRISH (HS) Aftercare Service (ACS), to cover all UK Armed Forces veterans within Northern Ireland.

The Veterans Welfare Service Northern Ireland (VWS NI), part of MOD’s Veterans Welfare Service (VWS) provides support to veterans, their families, service leavers, and bereaved families of service personnel in Northern Ireland. This service expansion sees the continued delivery of trusted services formerly provided by the Aftercare Service, combined with wider Veterans Welfare Service support, and is available to all UK Armed Forces Veterans within Northern Ireland.

The VWS NI expansion provides significant benefits to veterans, offering the same high grade, holistic welfare service to all veterans living in Northern Ireland, without reducing the current support to existing clients.

On 20 October 2023, The Veterans’ Commissioner for Northern Ireland, Danny Kinahan, attended the event at the new VWS NI Headquarters, where he cut the ribbon to formally open the building and officially launch VWS NI.

Danny Kinahan, Veterans’ Commissioner for Northern Ireland said:

Since being appointed as NI Veterans Commissioner I have championed a single service for NI Veterans, to aid in providing welfare support, finance & benevolence assistance and pension advice, amongst other services. In April 2023, Veterans Welfare Service Northern Ireland (VWS NI) was stood up. Formerly the UDR & R IRISH (HS) Aftercare Service (ACS), its service expansion levels the playing field, enabling Armed Forces veterans and their dependants to avail of a high-quality service which delivers the best of MOD’s VWS and ACS, without reducing support to existing clients. I am encouraged by the progress made, which is inclusive of all cap badges and services, and provides that single service. I hope that all veterans living in Northern Ireland will feel supported, understood and valued when reaching out to a Veterans Welfare Service, that can be trusted in their time of need.

Mr Kinahan toured the VWS NI offices and spoke to the teams who deliver support to the veteran community.

The VWS NI HQ and each of the four Welfare Teams were represented at the event (Coleraine, Portadown, Holywood, and Enniskillen). Veterans and clients of VWS NI also attended the event to share their experiences.

Rob Rowntree, Deputy Head Armed Forces & Veterans Services, Defence Business Services said:

I’m delighted to be here today to celebrate the completion of an important piece of work to deliver a ‘step change’ in support for all veterans in Northern Ireland, irrespective of their Service or Cap badge. The expansion of the After Care Service into Defence Business Services means that we can offer all veterans the very best of Government veterans support by building on the capability and experience of the After Care Service with the expertise of the Veterans Welfare service to provide a ‘one stop shop’ for all. Moreover, the ability to access facilities throughout Northern Ireland demonstrates that we have created a much more flexible and agile service for our veterans.

There are additional services that will endure such as MOD funded medical provision for psychological therapy and physiotherapy for service-related ailments, non-public funded welfare support for widows, bereaved, and disabled ex-soldiers, including Respite and Remembrance activities; the latter funded by Regimental Benevolent Funds.

VWS NI would like to assure UDR and Royal Irish (Home Service) veterans that delivery via a local community-based welfare service for Northern Ireland will continue. Outreach team locations and numbers will endure, the support our veterans are offered will not be diminished and there will be no degradation in service.

October 31, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : New global surveillance aircraft begins UK trials [October 2023]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 23 October 2023.

A new uncrewed RAF aircraft, capable of global surveillance operations, will begin trials in the UK this week.
- The first of 16 Protector aircraft arrive at RAF Waddington for test flights
- Boosts RAF technology with unparalleled surveillance and strike capability
- Aircraft will undergo test flights until entering service in late 2024
The first of 16 remotely piloted Protector aircraft has arrived at RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire to commence a series of rigorous trials and tests before entering the RAF fleet.

Equipped with a suite of surveillance equipment, the Protector aircraft will bring a critical global surveillance capability for the UK, all while being remotely piloted from RAF Waddington.

It will be able to undertake a wide range of tasking including land and maritime surveillance to track threats, counter terrorism and support to UK civil authorities, such as assisting HM Coastguard with search and rescue missions.

With a wingspan of 79 feet, the uncrewed aircraft can operate at heights up to 40,000 feet and has an endurance of more than 30 hours, enabling unparalleled surveillance and strike capability.

The aircraft has been assembled by a newly reformed 31 Squadron who are preparing it for ground and air testing ahead of its anticipated in-service date later next year. 31 Sqn, which previously operated the Tornado GR4, will operate and maintain the aircraft at RAF Waddington. The squadron has a long history stretching back to 1915 and have operated multiple aircraft types in the last century. They are exclusively a Protector Sqn now and have been reformed to operate Protector as it enters Service.

Defence Procurement Minister, James Cartlidge MP said:

“The UK’s world-class Protector aircraft will emphasise our ultra-modern surveillance, intelligence, and precision strike capabilities, ensuring we are ready to monitor and protect against potential adversaries around the globe.

“With the first aircraft at RAF Waddington ready to begin trials, we will once again demonstrate how we are spearheading military defence technology.”

The first phase of tests, beginning this week, will involve ground testing of the satellite links and taxi procedures, as well as take-off and landing trials. This will also incorporate a circuit above RAF Waddington.

In addition to accepting the Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) roles currently undertaken by Reaper, which has provided exceptional service on operations around the clock for more than 15 years, Protector will be certified to stringent NATO safety and certification standards allowing it to operate in the UK and European civilian airspace.

Senior Responsible Owner, Protector Programme Air Commodore Alex Hicks, said:

“The arrival of the UK’s first Protector to the Royal Air Force is the culmination of years of work by many personnel across the whole of the MOD. The ISR Capability Team will be working with 56 Sqn, our test and evaluation experts, who will put the aircraft through its paces to ensure it is ready for operational service next year, whilst the newly reformed 31 Sqn will focus on preparing to operate the aircraft in service. This is an important milestone for the Programme, Air Force and wider defence and I am delighted to see Protector at RAF Waddington.”

Head of Remotely Piloted Air System DE&S, Simon Holford said:

“The arrival of the first Protector system in the UK is a major milestone for the project. It reflects all of the hard work that everyone involved has put in to reach this stage, and we are immensely proud of our achievements. However, we can’t rest on our laurels as there is much more to do. Now assembled, this aircraft will be used to perform initial UK flight trials ahead of progressively delivering the capability to the RAF next year.”

Arrival of 15 further aircraft from General Atomics in the US into the UK will be a phased delivery over the coming years. All aircraft are expected to be delivered by the end of 2025.
October 31, 2023