Tag: Ministry of Defence

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 25 November 2022.

A £90 million contract to upgrade land-based radio capabilities will improve battlefield effectiveness while supporting over 200 jobs in Hampshire.

• £90 million contract boost local prosperity in Farnborough, Hampshire
• Modern radios to increase interoperability with allies and partners
• New technology to support ground-to-ground and ground-to-air communications

The new deal for 1,300 new Multi-Mode Radios (MMR), which has been awarded to L3 Harris Communications Systems, will see the portable radios operated by foot soldiers or those mounted on vehicles.

Technical advances and upgrades will allow the radios to work across a range of security classifications, with the first ones being delivered to the British Army before the end of the year, ahead of further deliveries in 2023.

Supporting multiple jobs in the UK supply chain, the contract will see the creation of 10 new jobs and the sustaining of 200 more at the L3 Harris HQ in Farnborough, Hampshire.

Defence Procurement Minister Alex Chalk said:

It’s vital we equip our Armed Forces personnel with modern capabilities to maintain their operational effectiveness on an ever-changing battlefield.

This contract boosts our interoperability with allies and is yet another example of British companies and employees supporting British defence.

The modern radios will replace legacy systems and improve the delivery of ground-to-ground and ground-to-air communications. They will also provide our Armed Forces with increased abilities to operate with allies and partners, boosting the communications capabilities of our deployed forces.

Colonel Elizabeth Mortimore said:

The arrival of the next generation of the multi-mode radio capability will offer significant enhancement to our Armed Forces across all three Services by delivering world-leading command and communications capability to the front line.

Vice President and Managing Director L3Harris CS UK Keith Norton said:

As lead user for this capability for Defence, the British Army has worked with Defence Digital to procure new MMR radios to add capability to deployed forces. These will enable land forces to easily communicate and interoperate with NATO and US allies as well providing a solution that can be easily tailored for each deployment.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 25 November 2022.

Military personnel from across the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force have been recognised for outstanding acts of bravery, commitment, and commendable service in the latest Armed Forces Operational Honours and Awards List, published today.

Recipients have all shown courage and dedication while on operations, from Operation Kipion in the Middle East to United Nations peacekeeping missions in Africa.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said:

I am thrilled to see such an impressive range of awards in the list, demonstrating some truly remarkable acts of courage and dedication.

The UK is involved in pivotal operations across the globe, and it is absolutely vital that we have the best talent available to ensure their continued success. Again, the list confirms that we do.

Congratulations to the brilliant service men and women who have received an award.

Minister of State Baroness Goldie said:

It is a privilege to see at first hand the calibre of our people in Defence, and the exceptional work they do to keep this country safe. The Operational Honours and Awards List is a testament to their dedication, talent and bravery.

I would like to congratulate these brilliant men and women, who time and time again demonstrate why we should be proud of our Armed Forces.

From the Army, Sergeant Adam Humphreys of 1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards has received a Mention in Dispatches (MiD) for demonstrating tremendous bravery while on United Nations peacekeeping operations in Mali, including for his actions on two different occasions that led to the detention of armed men and the seizure of weapons. On another occasion, his actions contributed to saving the lives of two soldiers when their patrol was engaged with machine gun fire. His courage demonstrated the resolve of the United Nation’s peacekeepers and strengthened the reputation of the British Army among international allies.

Sergeant Adam Humphreys said:

My troop was out on patrol when we came across two armed men near a river. When they saw us, they fled, so we searched the area to see if we could find them. I found one of them hidden in the water and detained him.

I was really surprised, to be honest, and very proud. I was just doing my job and although I never expected this award, it is a great honour.

Other awards for Army personnel include a Queen’s Commendation for Valuable Service (QCVS) for Acting Corporal Stefan Cole, who saved the life of a civilian suffering from heat stress by winching them to safety in the Brunei rainforest under extremely difficult circumstances, while Lance Corporal Fraser Gee has been awarded a Queen’s Commendation for Bravery (QCB) for providing first-aid to casualties of a road traffic accident and rescuing an elderly civilian from one of the vehicles at risk of catching fire.

From the Royal Navy, Rear Admiral Stephen Moorhouse OBE has been awarded a Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE). As commander of last year’s Carrier Strike Group during the UK’s inaugural operational deployment of HMS Queen Elizabeth, he was responsible for its leadership, planning and execution. Commodore Moorhouse led 3,500 personnel from across all three services, the Civil Service and international partners.

Rear Admiral Stephen Moorhouse said:

Receiving this national recognition is humbling and I feel incredibly privileged.

However, none of the successes we saw during the Carrier Strike Group’s inaugural deployment would have been possible without the truly exceptional commitment from the nearly 3,500 men and women who deployed with the Strike Group at the height of Covid.

Their professionalism, dedication, and resilience along with the unwavering support of our families underpinned all that we achieved.

Commander Claire Thompson, Commanding Officer of HMS Montrose, has been awarded an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) for her role while deployed on Operation Kipion; the UK’s long-standing maritime presence in the Arabian Gulf and the Indian Ocean to promoting peace and stability in the region, as well as ensuring the safe passage of trade vessels. Commander Thompson delivered significant tactical, operational and strategic effect during her four-month deployment, including the Royal Navy’s first weapon interdiction operation in theatre, resulting in the successful seizure of illicit weapons.

Commander Claire Thompson said:

I feel hugely privileged and extremely humbled by the news that I have been awarded an OBE.

It is an incredible honour, and for me this award represents each and every one of my ship’s company and their hard work, professionalism and dedication whilst deployed on operations over significant periods of the last year.

The success of HMS Montrose over that period is well documented but the selfless commitment of the men and women who serve in her must be highlighted as without them none of that success is possible.

From the Royal Air Force, Warrant Officer Kevin Jones has been awarded a QCVS for his leading role in the recovery of an F-35B Lightning, which had crashed into the Mediterranean Sea and settled 2000 metres below the surface. Warrant Officer Jones displayed exceptional leadership in what was a hugely complex operation, being responsible for the planning and execution of all activity once the wreckage had been recovered.

Warrant Officer Kevin Jones said:

I am extremely humbled to receive this award, both for myself and on behalf of the Joint Aircraft Recovery and Transportation Squadron team that deployed in support of Operation Prowling.

I believe the recovery of the F35B from the Mediterranean Sea to be the most complex aircraft recovery of modern times, of which I am immensely proud to have been a part of.

It amazes me what can be achieved and this operation has definitely been a highlight of my career.

Three other Royal Air Force personnel were recognised with awards.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 25 November 2022.

James Cleverly, the Foreign Secretary, has travelled to Ukraine as part of ongoing UK efforts to ensure the country has the crucial practical support it needs through the winter.

• the Foreign Secretary has travelled to Ukraine to underline the UK’s unwavering support for the country following devastating Russian attacks on critical national infrastructure
• during the visit he has announced a further £3 million of support to the Partnership Fund for a Resilient Ukraine to rebuild vital local infrastructure
• comes as he and the Environment Secretary Thérèse Coffey announce that the UK is also committing £5 million for Ukraine-led initiative to ship grain to countries at risk of famine

The Foreign Secretary has travelled to Ukraine as part of ongoing UK efforts to ensure the country has the crucial practical support it needs through the winter.

The visit comes as Russia tries to exploit the harsh winter in Ukraine by continuing its brutal attacks on the country’s civilian and energy infrastructure to exacerbate the ongoing humanitarian crisis.

During a visit to Kyiv on Saturday, the Prime Minister announced a £50 million package of defensive military support, and the Foreign Secretary will use this visit to ensure that the UK is following through on other key commitments, including further support to help Ukraine through the winter, and to rebuild and recover in the longer term.

That includes providing an additional 35 emergency vehicles, including 24 ambulances and 6 armoured vehicles, which are to arrive in Ukraine from the UK, to support civilians caught in conflict. He will also announce that the UK will step up its support on demining, increasing its support from £2 million this year.

While in Ukraine, the Foreign Secretary will meet President Zelenskyy, as well as Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, and other key members of the Ukrainian government, including ministers involved in reconstruction efforts. He is also meeting members of civil society who are fighting to protect human rights, and the UK’s embassy staff in Ukraine.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said:

As winter sets in, Russia is continuing to try and break Ukrainian resolve through its brutal attacks on civilians, hospitals and energy infrastructure. Russia will fail.

The UK stands shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine. I have today announced a package of hands-on support for our Ukrainian friends in their fight, from ambulances to crucial support for survivors of the sexual violence carried out by the Russian military.

I’ve seen here first-hand how the UK’s efforts are helping brave citizens to resist and rebuild. Our support will continue for as long as it takes for this remarkable country to recover.

During the visit the Foreign Secretary has seen the scale of catastrophe wrought indiscriminately by Putin, and how the UK – with its international partners – is providing concrete support for recovery.

Through this fund the UK is supporting the Government of Ukraine, local officials and Ukrainian communities to rebuild vital local infrastructure. This is enabling people to return to normal life by clearing debris from Russian attacks, making areas safe and secure, and rebuilding schools and shelters in towns and villages. This new funding will be targeted to areas recently liberated from Russian control in southern Ukraine, including Kherson Oblast.

He is also visiting a school, which will re-open for 350 students in the next fortnight after being rebuilt by volunteers, including parents and teachers, with UK support.

Ahead of the UK hosted PSVI (Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative) conference next week, the Foreign Secretary will announce a further £3.45 million for the UN Population Fund to boost survivor centred gender-based violence and sexual and reproductive health services, and ensure continued access to expert support for survivors of sexual assault.

The consequences of Putin’s war in Ukraine are also being felt across the world, and impacting some of the world’s most vulnerable countries. Today the Foreign Secretary, alongside the Environment Secretary Thérèse Coffey also announced that the UK is committing £5 million to a Ukrainian led initiative, delivered through the UN World Food Programme, to supply grain to countries most at risk of famine, including Yemen and Sudan.

Environment Secretary Thérèse Coffey said:

I am pleased the UK government can support President Zelenskyy’s work to help Ukraine’s grain reach some of the poorest and most vulnerable nations in the world.

Global food security is in all our interests – and helping Ukraine’s farmers and agricultural sector to continue producing and exporting food in these most difficult of circumstances is vital for that security.

I want Ukraine’s farmers to know that all British farmers stand shoulder to shoulder with you.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 25 November 2022.

The latest Operational Honours and Awards List recognises the bravery, commitment and commendable service of Armed Forces personnel.

The recipients have all shown outstanding courage and dedication while on operations.

The full list is below:

Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)

Commodore (now Rear Admiral) Stephen Mark Richard MOORHOUSE, OBE, Royal Navy

Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)

Commander Claire Fiona THOMPSON, Royal Navy

Lieutenant Colonel William James MEDDINGS, The Royal Anglian Regiment

Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)

Chief Petty Officer Logistician (Supply Chain) Laura PERRY, Royal Navy

Warrant Officer Class 1 Engineering Technician (Marine Engineering) Clint WHEELER, Royal Navy

Major Benjamin Sean Costello ATTRELL, Corps of Royal Engineers

Major Steven John HOWARD, Army Air Corps

Squadron Leader Jonathan Jack EDDISON, Royal Air Force

Flight Lieutenant Victoria Grace KELLAGHER, Royal Air Force

Mention in Despatches (MID)

Sergeant Adam James HUMPHREYS, 1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards

Queen’s Commendation for Bravery (QCB)

Lance Corporal (now Retired) Fraser Alan Duncan GEE, Royal Tank Regiment

Queen’s Commendation for Valuable Service (QCVS)

Petty Officer Warfare Specialist (Electronic Warfare) Timothy Stephen DODGE, Royal Navy

Lieutenant Commander Alexandra Katherine HARRIS, Royal Navy

Leading Warfare Specialist (Underwater Warfare) Jake Ryan HOBDAY, Royal Navy

Warrant Officer Class 1 Engineering Technician (Communications and Information Systems) Christopher ROBBINS, Royal Navy

Staff Sergeant (now Warrant Officer Class 2) Meghann Kylie BRADBURY, Queen Alexandra’s Royal Army Nursing Corps

Captain Andrew Robert MACBETH, Royal Tank Regiment

Corporal (now Acting Sergeant) Toyah Louise PALMER, Intelligence Corps

Captain Helena Katheryn RICHARDSON, Royal Regiment of Artillery

Acting Warrant Officer Kevin Edward JONES, Royal Air Force

Flight Lieutenant Graeme John RITCHIE, Royal Air Force

Acting Corporal Stefan COLE, Royal Army Medical Corps

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 24 November 2022.

His Majesty the King has approved the appointment of Rear Admiral (RAdm) Andy Kyte CB as the next Chief of Defence Logistics and Support (CDLS), in the rank of Vice Admiral, from September 2023.

RAdm Kyte has had a notable career in logistics covering posts in the Royal Navy, the Defence Support organisation and wider Defence. He will step into the role of CDLS and lead the organisation forward as it seeks to modernise and integrate how Support is delivered.

CDLS heads up the Defence Support organisation, under Strategic Command. As CDLS, RAdm Kyte will be responsible for overseeing the continued implementation of the Defence Support Strategy, the delivery of strategic military logistics and support advice, and as the Functional Owner developing, cohering and assuring support across Defence.

General Sir James Hockenhull, Commander United Kingdom Strategic Command said:

“I am pleased to announce RAdm Andrew Kyte’s appointment as the next Chief of Defence Support and Logistics, Defence Support organisation, in the rank of Vice Admiral. He will bring a unique insight as he steps into the role with a broad range of experience. Defence Support is a vital part of Strategic Command and wider Defence. I look forward to working with Andy going forward.”

Current CDLS, Lt Gen Richard Wardlaw, said:

“Having played a central role in the creation of the Defence Support organisation and been intimately involved in the development of the Defence Support Strategy, RAdm Kyte’s appointment as the next Chief of Defence Logistics and Support is to be celebrated. Andy will bring an innate appreciation of the challenges faced and as part of Strategic Command, the insights and experience required to drive forward the continued modernisation of Support”.

On his appointment, RAdm Kyte CB said:

“I am delighted and incredibly proud to have been selected as the next Chief of Defence Logistics and Support. It is a huge honour to be able to lead the organisation into the future and take forward Defence Support’s ambitious agenda as it seeks to modernise the delivery of Support”.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 23 November 2022.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 23 November 2022.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 22 November 2022.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 21 November 2022.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 18 November 2022.

• First time an aircraft has flown in the UK using 100% sustainable aviation fuel on all engines
• Potential to reduce lifecycle carbon emissions by up to 80% while improving operational effectiveness
• Another key step by the RAF towards achieving Net Zero by 2040

An RAF Voyager – the military variant of an Airbus A330 – took to the skies over Oxfordshire powered entirely by 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), paving the way for a range of possibilities for the future of flying military and civilian aircraft.

The flight, which took place on Wednesday, was a joint endeavour between the RAF, DE&S and industry partners Airbus, AirTanker and Rolls-Royce, with the fuel supplied by Air bp.

Sustainable aviation fuel – which is made from waste-based sustainable feedstocks, such as used cooking oil – reduces lifecycle carbon emissions on average by up to 80% compared to the conventional jet fuel it replaces, lessens the RAF’s reliance on global supply chains, and improves operational resilience.

Defence Minister Baroness Goldie said:

The Royal Air Force has flown the UK’s first military air transport flight using 100% sustainable aviation fuel on one of their operational Voyager aircraft. They should be rightly proud of this achievement; it is a breakthrough moment for the RAF and an exciting development for the MOD.

Through the RAF’s pioneering spirit, expertise and partnership with UK industry, British science and engineering is leading the way in improving operational resilience and developing future operating capability in a climate-changed world.

Different approaches will suit different platforms and environments. As such, a range of alternative fuel options are being looked at to ensure the UK is at the forefront of this developing technology.

This success follows last November’s small aircraft UK flight powered by 15 litres of synthetic gasoline – another world-first led by the RAF. Synthetic fuel is made from water and carbon dioxide, which is then put under pressure and an electric current run through it.

Wednesday’s 90-minute flight from RAF Brize Norton, flown by a combined RAF, Rolls-Royce and Airbus flight test crew, replicated an air-to-air refuelling sortie and was witnessed by senior RAF and industry representatives. It demonstrated the RAF’s potential for its future operational capability, ensuring the ability to contribute to UK defence wherever and whenever required.

Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston said:

Climate change is a transnational challenge that threatens our resilience, our security and our collective prosperity. That is why I have set the RAF the ambitious challenge of becoming the world’s first net-zero Air Force by 2040. The way we power our aircraft will be key to meeting that challenge and the RAF is already thinking about how we will operate beyond fossil fuels.

This exciting trial flight of a Voyager from RAF Brize Norton powered entirely by Sustainable Aviation Fuel is an important milestone on that journey, and marks another technological first for the RAF alongside our industry partners.

Engineers from Airbus’ Commercial Aircraft and Defence and Space divisions have been working with the RAF, Rolls-Royce and Airtanker testing the aircraft’s performance and handling on the ground and in the air in preparation for the final flight with both engines powered by 100% SAF.

Aviation Minister at the Department for Transport, Baroness Vere said:

Our Jet Zero Strategy made clear that sustainable aviation fuels are key to greener flight for both military and civilian aviation.

This is a win for the planet and a testament to British ingenuity. We have launched the £165 million Advanced Fuels Fund to kickstart a homegrown SAF industry, as well as challenging the sector to deliver the first net zero transatlantic flight next year.

This breakthrough test flight is just one of the ways the RAF is actively working to reduce lifecycle carbon emissions produced by flying its aircraft. Other innovations have included a world-first, record breaking microlight flight using synthetic fuel, flying an electric aircraft at RAF Cranwell and creating fuel from genetically modified bacteria.

While continuing to fulfil the priority focus of protecting the nation, the sustainable aviation fuel could mark a step-change towards the RAF’s goal to be Net Zero by 2040. Working towards the Government’s Net Zero 2050 goal and Jet Zero Strategy, the RAF also plans for their first Net Zero airbase by 2025.

In addition to supporting the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel in the Armed Forces, the Royal Air Force Commander in Chief HM King Charles III has also supported an increase in its adoption in the private sector though the Sustainable Markets Initiative. The SMI is a network of global CEOs from across all industries, working together to accelerate a sustainable future in line with its mandate. Part of the SMI’s work is raising awareness of SAF amongst the business community and encourage greater SAF uptake in corporate travel in addition to increased purchase agreements to encourage demand from the public and private sectors.