Tag: Ministry of Defence

Nearly 200 organisations have been recognised by the UK Government for supporting the Armed Forces community, a record high since the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme launched in 2013.

The Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award, the highest badge of honour, recognises the positive role that employers play in supporting the Armed Forces community.

This year, organisations across a range of sectors including transportation, education, finance, and healthcare have been recognised in the awards. Of the Gold Award winners, 28% are either micro or small sized organisations, while 47% are large organisations with over 500 employees. This not only demonstrates the importance of the Covenant, but the skills and benefits that ex-service personnel can bring businesses.

Minister for Defence People, Veterans and Service Families, Dr Andrew Murrison said:

I would like to thank all the organisations that have been recognised in this year’s awards. I’m delighted that we have seen so many organisations recognised with a gold award. Their continued support demonstrates the unique benefits and strengths that our Armed Forces community can bring to the workplace.

The Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, delivered by Defence Relationship Management has a current total of 641 holders. Organisations must reapply every five years to retain their Gold Award status.

To win a Gold award from the Ministry of Defence, organisations must provide 10 extra paid days leave for reservists, and have supportive HR policies in place for reservists, veterans, Cadet Force adult volunteers and the spouses and partners of those serving in the Armed Forces.

They must also advocate the benefits of supporting those within the Armed Forces community, by encouraging other organisations to sign the Armed Forces Covenant and engage with the Employer Recognition Scheme.

This year, Marks & Spencer Plc, Motorola Solutions UK Ltd, Hilton and Toyota Manufacturing UK are among the household names that have been recognised, alongside many small organisations including the Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce.

Director of Corporate Affairs and Forces Community Network Sponsor at M&S, Victoria McKenzie-Gould said:

One of the things I’m most proud of as a colleague at M&S is our history of supporting our Forces. I’m proud that spirit lives on, led by our amazing Forces Community Network, who have helped steer us in just a few years from Bronze to now Gold accreditation in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme. From working actively to recruit Forces leavers to giving reservists time off to play their part serving our country, it’s fantastic to see this recognised by the Ministry of Defence. Thank you to them and more importantly to our fantastic Armed Forces community.

CEO at Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, Sharon Smith said:

As a Gold Award holder, we will continue to promote our advocacy via support and collaboration with members, through our events and via regular engagement with businesses across the two counties. We will also ensure that HR policies are updated, so that Armed Forces community are not disadvantaged; to include a comprehensive Reserve Forces Training Mobilisation policy.

Full list of Employer Recognition Scheme Award holders can be seen here.

The UK will provide 17 specialist firefighting vehicles to Ukraine’s fire and rescue services, primarily sourced from the Royal Air Force and Defence Fire and Rescue, with one provided by the Welsh Government.

Due to arrive in the coming weeks, the urgently needed equipment will help bolster Ukraine’s ability to respond to damage caused by Russia’s continued use of cruise missiles and one-way attack drones against Ukrainian infrastructure.

The specialist vehicles – Rapid Intervention and Major Foam Vehicles – were delivered from locations around the UK to RAF Wittering in Cambridgeshire to allow RAF personnel to conduct the required preparations before their onward movement to Ukraine.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said:

These specialist firefighting vehicles will boost Ukraine’s ability to protect its infrastructure from Russia’s campaign of missile and drone attacks and continue our support for Ukraine, for as long as it takes.

In the last week, personnel from 5001 Squadron have inspected and prepared the vehicles to make sure they are ready to conduct their role. Once those preparations were complete, 2 Mechanical Transport Squadron loaded the vehicles ahead of their journey to a designated delivery point.

In preparation of the vehicles’ arrival in Ukraine, members of the Ukrainian Military Fire Service conducted a week’s training at RAF Wittering. This was designed and delivered by the RAF and Defence Fire and Rescue to familiarise the Ukrainians on the vehicles before they operate them for real.

Defence Chief Fire Officer, Sim Nex, said:

The Defence Fire and Rescue family are extremely proud of the specialist support which we have been able to facilitate.

We are confident that the equipment provided to date, and associated training, will directly enhance firefighting capability, as we consider further opportunities to support the Ukrainian Military Fire Service moving forward.

This equipment is the latest in the UK’s programme of support for Ukraine, nearly 500 days after Russia launched its illegal, full-scale invasion. The UK committed £2.3 billion funding for military aid to Ukraine in 2022 and the Prime Minister has confirmed that this figure will be matched in 2023.

Air Commodore Jamie Thompson, Commander Global Enablement said:

Support to Ukraine, through training and the provision of equipment, remains a priority of RAF Global Enablement. We are proud to work alongside our allies in this effort, supplying specialist equipment and training to assure the safety of the Ukrainian people.

It follows previous donations to Ukraine of around eight tonnes of personal protective equipment for firefighting, along with other non-lethal aid including medical equipment and more than 100 industrial-strength generators.

• Accelerating work on advancing digital skills development across UK Defence.
• Delivering skills development and training to thousands of personnel across UK.
• Transforming digital skills across the whole workforce for military personnel and civilians.

Personnel across the Ministry of Defence will benefit from enhanced digital skills, as a result of a new partnership with Microsoft UK.

Accelerating digital learning at scale and pace, the programme will support The Digital Skills for Defence (DS4D) programme, helping transform the digital skills across the whole workforce; military, civilian, digital professionals and leaders.

This partnership will help upskill the MOD workforce through deeper collaboration with Microsoft UK, supporting the Government’s priority to grow the economy. The key elements are:

• Supporting the workforce in enabling training for Microsoft products and services.
• Helping to raise awareness of additional skills programs and resources that align with DS4D’s training objectives and support the programme’s skills and development pathways.
• Offering shadowing opportunities for Senior MOD staff to foster a culture of sharing best practice and adopting innovative digital approaches.

Earlier in the year, the programme hosted an event at the Microsoft Innovation Centre in London. It was attended by senior leaders in Defence and aimed to get them thinking about the changes needed to transform the wider Defence culture, increase levels of curiosity and create a step change in the ability to a work collaboratively across Defence.

The importance of Digital skills was a major theme of the day and it was clear that this is a topic that impacts everyone from the Chief of the Defence Staff through to a ‘day one’ recruit.

At the event, Claire Fry, Director Functional Integration commented on the need to ensure that Defence is digitally ready for the future:

Our ambition is to deliver and then continuously adapt a critical capability uplift for Defence through the delivery of a world class digital skills education programme for the whole workforce, our leaders and for digital professionals. This is fundamental to retaining our advantage and keeping ahead of our competition.

Our partnership with companies like Microsoft enables us to bring in leading edge digital learning for Defence, I’m delighted to have them on board.

The DS4D programme is a key driver in delivering critical digital skills capability uplift, for defence leaders, digital professionals and the whole Military and Civilian workforce. This is fundamental in building and retaining operational and business advantage, keeping up with and ahead of the competition. The ambition of the programme goes beyond education by looking to transform the learning culture and the way Defence works collaboratively.

There are also several other collaborative projects that will be developed to support the whole force at MOD to increase their digital skills and knowledge. Microsoft joins other key partners in supporting the MOD in transforming the way the whole workforce accesses digital learning.

MOD Chief Information Officer, Charles Forte said on this agreement:

The Digital Skills for Defence Programme is enabling us to build, support and drive digital capabilities within the MOD. The programme will future proof the role we have in continuing to provide world class defence against our adversaries whether that’s in the battlespace or the back office. We are driving our culture of digital innovation by teaming up with partners like Microsoft to provide our whole force with development and training opportunities.

Claire Barclay, Microsoft UK CEO said:

Almost every organisation I speak to is prioritising digital skills. When businesses invest in people, we all benefit; skills open doors for everyone. It’s an exciting time for the Ministry of Defence and I’m looking forward to seeing what comes next.

• RAF Typhoon fighter jets to be equipped with one of the world’s most advanced radar.
• Additional upgrades will ensure jet can counter emerging threats.
• Supporting the Government’s priority to grow the economy this contract sustains 600 UK engineering jobs in Edinburgh, Luton and Lancashire.

An £870 million five-year contract has been awarded to BAE Systems and Leonardo UK to upgrade radar capabilities on the RAF Typhoon, fitting the fighter jets with one of the world’s most advanced radars – the European Common Radar System (ECRS) Mk2.

Following last year’s announcement at the 2022 Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT), in which Defence committed to a £2.35 billion investment to several upgrades for Typhoon, this is the first contract allocated from that major and complex investment and will see the completion of the development and integration of the ECRS Mk2.

The state-of-the-art radar will transform the Typhoon’s control of the air, bringing a world-leading electronic warfare capability which will allow the aircraft to simultaneously detect, identify, and track multiple targets in the air and on the ground. ECRS Mk2 will be integrated onto RAF Typhoon Tranche 3 aircraft and offered to other nations that operate the aircraft, boosting UK defence exports.

Supporting the Government’s priority to grow the economy, the £2.35 billion programme will sustain around 1,300 UK engineering job over the next 10 years. With the £870 million contract making up more than 600 highly skilled jobs across the country, including 300 at Leonardo’s site in Edinburgh, 100 electronic warfare specialists at the company’s site in Luton, and 120 engineers at BAE Systems’ site in Lancashire.

Minister for Defence Procurement, James Cartlidge said:

The RAF Typhoon is one of the most mission ready and capable aircraft anywhere in the world helping protect our skies at home and abroad.

This £870 million contract award is an investment in the future readiness and preparedness of our fighter jets, so that we can continue to showcase our world-leading air capability.

ECRS Mk2 will support operations in the most challenging situations, equipping pilots with the ability to suppress enemy air defences using high-powered jamming and to engage targets whilst beyond the reach of threats.

A prototype of the state-of-the-art radar is currently undergoing specialist testing at BAE Systems site in Warton, Lancashire.  This contract builds on that solid foundation, progressively turning that prototype equipment into a capability: a path that includes initial flight testing in 2024.

As well as delivering ECRS Mk2, the overall £2.35 billion investment includes the integration of the new radar onto Typhoon and delivery of a range of additional complementary upgrades and which together ensures Typhoon will continue to remain a potent weapons capability and enable it to counter emerging threats until 2040 and beyond.

Gp Capt Matt D’Aubyn, DACOS Control of the Air, Typhoon Programme Director said:

Typhoon is the backbone of UK Combat Air, capable of completing a wide range of Air-to-Air and Air-to-Surface missions. ECRSMk2 will ensure Typhoon remains operationally effective in the future force mix in an ever increasing contested environment.

DE&S Director General Air, Vice Admiral Rick Thompson said:

This is the first of a number of contracts that will continue our journey to equip the RAF with the edge to protect our nation. Developing ECRS Mk2 not only provides cutting-edge capability but crucially, also ensures that advanced technical skills and expertise in delivering complex sensors are available to support the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) right here in the UK.

Andrea Thompson, Managing Director – Europe & International, BAE Systems Air, said:

The continued evolution of Typhoon as a world-class combat air platform ensures that the RAF maintains its advantage and protects the vibrant eco-system that supports our sovereign combat air capability in the UK, through sustaining and evolving the technical skills that are central to the UK’s future combat air strategy.

The radar is a prime example of the UK’s world-leading onshore technology, being developed by Leonardo UK in Edinburgh and Luton and integrated by BAE Systems in Warton.

The Typhoon programme supports more than 20,000 jobs across all regions of the UK every year, contributing £1.4 billion to the economy annually.

The UK and France’s most senior military officers have gathered in London to celebrate the importance of our military relationship, while attending ceremonial events including the Trooping of the Colour for the King’s birthday.

UK Chief of the Defence Staff, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, hosted his French counterpart, Chef d’État-Major des Armées (CEMA) General Thierry Burkhard, during visits to watch the Trooping of the Colour in London, and Navy Ceremonial Divisions at HMS Collingwood.

The UK and France share an incredibly close defence relationship enshrined in the Lancaster House Treaty, cooperating on shared NATO commitments in eastern Europe, ongoing military support for Ukraine, and previously conducting joint operations in Africa, the Caribbean and the Indo-Pacific. In a joint statement at the UK-France summit in March, a broad range of priorities were agreed, to promote security and stability in Europe, as well as to deepen economic ties – in line with the UK Prime Minister’s priority to grow the economy.

CDS and CEMA signed a joint letter of intent in Admiralty House before the Trooping of the Colour on Saturday, providing direction to drive forward the outcomes of the UK-France summit. They encouraged rapid progress on key priorities agreed at the summit, specifically on deepening the integration of UK and French forces throughout the next decade, continuing to adapt the UK-France Combined Joint Expeditionary Force (CJEF), and working closely together in the Indo-Pacific.

The meeting was followed by an audience with the Prime Minister in Downing Street before attending the Trooping of the Colour and a lunch in Lancaster House, which included the chiefs’ extended network.

Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, Chief of the Defence Staff, said:

“The first Trooping the Colour of the new King’s Reign is a historic moment, and I am privileged to host not only my French counterpart, General Thierry Burkhard, but also all of his supporting military chiefs and our exchange officers. Having all of our most seniors officers united today, is highly symbolic and  demonstrates the strength and depth of the UK-France Military relationship, which is critical to the security of Europe and the World.

“Britain and France share a global outlook that reflects our responsibilities as permanent members of the UN Security Council and G7 economies, but also our democratic and humanitarian values. At the recent Paris Summit, Prime Minister Sunak and President Marcon reaffirmed our commitment to even closer defence cooperation.

This will build on our joint presence in NATO’s Eastern flank, our shared commitment to Ukraine and many years of joint operations in Africa and the Middle East. In the years ahead, we will coordinate our activity in the Indo-Pacific and explore new technological projects that will ensure Britain and France remain Europe’s strongest and most capable defence partners.”

During the visit, CDS was supported by his Vice Chief of Defence Staff, The First Sea Lord, The Chief of the Air Staff, a representative of the Chief of General Staff, and the UK’s Military representative to NATO.

They were joined by over 100 members of the extensive military exchange and liaison network shared by both nations, with soldiers, airmen, sailors and civil servants represented.

The Trooping of the Colour has marked the official birthday of the British Sovereign for over 260 years. 2023 will mark His Majesty King Charles III’s first Trooping of the Colour as Sovereign, with more than 1,400 parading soldiers, 200 horses and 400 musicians ready to demonstrate military precision, horsemanship and fanfare, as part of the ceremony.

Chef d’État-Major des Armées, General Thierry Burkhard, said:

“It is a great honour to be part of such an historic event and I am very grateful to my counterpart for his invitation. This ceremony allows the French chiefs of staff delegation to witness the devotion of British soldiers to the King and their country. It is very impressive and it is always inspiring for a nation to see that some of its members are prepared to sacrifice their lives for the common good.

“Admiral Radakin also took the opportunity to bring together all the French and British liaison and exchange officers serving on both sides of the Channel. This highly symbolic moment undoubtedly contributes to the consolidation of our bilateral relationship. This is more important than ever as we seek to deepen our interoperability at a time when warfare is presenting new faces.

“Among the French Armed Forces, the value of the British Armed Forces no longer needs to be proven. Indeed, we are all still inspired by the commitment of our veterans during the Second World War. Moreover, our soldiers, sailors and airmen have since been fighting and training together on a daily basis for many years. In Estonia, for example, a French company is integrated into a British battalion. Living together for several months, training together in harsh conditions creates bonds that make all the difference in combat. At the same time, our staffs are also working hard to share their assessments of the situation, the potential for using new technologies in our courses of action, and the development of procedures to facilitate our joint operational effectiveness.”

In addition to Trooping of the Colours, on Friday, the two chiefs attended ceremonial divisions at HMS Collingwood, where CEMA was the guest of honour and gave a speech. This is the largest Royal Navy ceremonial parade outside of State-level events, with around 900 personnel on parade.

The chiefs took the salute from officers and ratings on parade and presented awards and prizes to a number of individuals reflecting both academic achievement and exemplary service.

The visit by CEMA was the latest in a series of activities between the UK and France this year – following the joint summit attended by the Prime Minister, Defence Secretary and other Ministers in Paris in March – as well as the Defence Secretary’s visit to Normandy this month, in which he gave a speech reflecting on European security and urging continued support for Ukraine. Minister for Defence Procurement, James Cartlidge, will visit Paris on Monday to meet French President, Emmanuel Macron, and the French Minister for the Armed Forces, Sébastien Lecornu.