Tag: Ministry of Defence

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 8 November 2022.

The UK’s Secretary of State for Defence Ben Wallace and Estonia’s Minister of Defence Hanno Pevkur met in London on 8 November 2022 and committed to ever stronger ties between our two countries.

The excellent defence and security relationship that Estonia and the UK share is built on the solid foundations of shared interests and values and an exceptional history of close cooperation between our two armed forces. We cooperate frequently at all levels in all domains: through NATO maritime deployments at sea, Baltic Air Policing and air surveillance in the air, and through the UK’s commitment as the enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) framework nation on land. Our five-year eFP collaboration exemplifies what is possible when two similarly minded, close Allies come together in shared commitment and purpose.

In the face of a continuously challenging security situation in Europe, we have today signed a Defence Roadmap which sets out our joint plan to implement the commitments made at the NATO Madrid Summit for the forward defence of Estonia. Its implementation will lead to more capable UK presence, better able to deter aggression and to defend Estonia in crisis and conflict. It will contribute to our shared objective of protecting our populations and defending every inch of Allied territory at all times.

Estonia will start the development of an Estonian warfighting Division as agreed at the Madrid Summit. The Estonian Division will command in-place national and Allied forces as well as possible reinforcement units, to ensure seamless use of all national and Allied capabilities in the defence of Estonia. The establishment and staffing of the Divisional HQ will be completed in January 2023, with evaluation training in the Summer, leading to certification in 2024. The UK will also work closely with Estonia to support the development of its own national Divisional Headquarters, providing training and mentoring through a bespoke advisory team and the development of close links with the UK’s 3rd Division.

The UK will enhance the effectiveness of its permanently based eFP Battlegroup by maintaining Divisional-level assets (namely short range air defence and multiple launch rocket systems) in country and augmenting these with periodic deployments of additional capabilities and enablers, including Apache and Chinook helicopters. Deployment of these capabilities will also present opportunities to exercise these assets under the command of the Estonian Division HQ. The first of these periodic surges will begin in January 2023, when Chinook Helicopters will deploy to Estonia. The UK will also enhance the capability of their eFP Headquarters, which from April 2023 will be led by a Brigadier. In light of this additional support, the UK’s temporary second Battlegroup, which deployed to Estonia in February 2022, will return to the UK in December 2022.

The UK will also hold the balance of a Brigade at high readiness in the UK, ready to reinforce Estonia and the Baltics at a time of need. To ensure this Brigade is fully interoperable and integrated with Estonia’s National Defence plan, the UK will regularly exercise the reinforcement of UK forces in Estonia up to Brigade-level. The first such exercise is planned for May 2023, when the UK will deploy additional forces to Exercise SPRING STORM, including a Brigade HQ alongside a Battlegroup. Estonia will provide Host Nation Support to these additional deployments through the provision of accommodation, technical facilities and training areas.

Estonia will improve its Host Nation Support for the UK surge forces and reinforcement training by building four additional accommodation halls and other necessary support facilities at Tapa Camp by May 2023. In the south of Estonia an additional Reception Staging Onward Movement (RSOM) assembly area will be constructed in 2023 and work will commence for a new permanent camp and enlarged training area.

In other domains, the UK will be providing Baltic Air Policing in Estonia from March to July 2023 using Typhoon aircraft and will contribute to NATO maritime patrols in the Baltics.

Further to the agreements reached today in the Roadmap, the UK and Estonia will continue to work closely with one another across all military domains and explore new areas for cooperation between our two armed forces. We will continue to work closely together through NATO, the Northern Group, and particularly through the JEF, which has become a significant contributor to regional security across its core area of the Baltic Sea, the High North and the North Atlantic. The agreement made today will lead to more UK high-end capabilities deployed to Estonia, more regular deployments of large numbers of high readiness forces, and greater military integration between our two countries. It is a big step forward in helping to guarantee Estonian and wider Baltic Security.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 7 November 2022.

The purchase of specialist ships to protect the UK’s critical national infrastructure has been brought forward, the Defence Secretary has announced, as he confirms the National Flagship programme has been suspended in order to deliver this.

The two Multi-Role Ocean Surveillance (MROS) ships will be operated by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary and are vital to our national security by protecting our subsea cables and pipelines. The first of these ships will be handed over in January 2023, several months ahead of schedule.

The increasing commercialisation of the seabed for energy and communications purposes has resulted in increased opportunities for adversaries to hold Western subsea critical national infrastructure at risk.

The vessels will be adaptable, and able to provide a range of capabilities, such as operating remote and autonomous offboard systems for underwater surveillance and seabed warfare.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said:

In the face of Russia’s illegal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine and Putin’s reckless disregard of international arrangements designed to keep world order, it is right that we prioritise delivering capabilities which safeguard our national infrastructure.

To effectively address the current and future threats, we will now invest in MROS ships that protect sensitive Defence infrastructure, and civil infrastructure, to improve our ability to detect threats to the seabed and cables. I have also therefore directed the termination of the National Flagship competition with immediate effect to bring forward the first MROS ship in its place and I shall make further announcements on our continued Naval investment in the coming weeks.

In light of this, the National Flagship programme has been suspended to prioritise delivery of the vital MROS capability.

Rear Admiral Rex Cox, CEO of the National Shipbuilding Office said:

The National Flagship project showcased the talent of the UK’s maritime industry and I am grateful to all those bidders who took part. The willingness to embrace modern design and production practices with a focus on green innovation embodies the essence of the National Shipbuilding Strategy Refresh. This contemporary approach to shipbuilding and design will be fundamental to the success of the future shipbuilding pipeline.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 4 November 2022.

Private (Pte) Herbert Greaves, a 28-year-old who served with 6th Battalion The King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (KOYLI), was buried with full military honours at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s (CWGC) Heninel Communal Cemetery Extension, near Arras in France on Thursday (3 November).

The service was organised by the MOD’s Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC), also known as the ‘MOD War Detectives’ and supported by 5th Battalion The Rifles who bore his coffin.

Pte Greaves’ remains were uncovered in 2019 during maintenance work on the footpath outside the CWGC cemetery where they had laid for 102 years.

Pte Greaves was born in Walkley, Sheffield, in 1889. He was married to Jane and they had a son, who was also named Herbert, and a daughter, also Jane.

Pte Greaves has 3 surviving grandchildren. They had not seen each other since the death of their grandmother nearly 60 years ago. It was only after the chance discovery of their grandfather’s remains that they were put back in touch with each other by JCCC. One of Pte Greaves’ grandson’s, David Dickson, attended the burial service along with his family.

David Dickson, grandson of Pte Greaves said:

Elated is the word I’d use; when our son read out the email from Rosie Barron at JCCC to say they had actually discovered the remains of our grandfather, it was quite emotional. He suddenly became a real person to us. We managed to connect with our cousin whom we hadn’t seen for many years, who did the DNA test. He managed to find a photo of our grandfather amongst his father’s papers so we could put a face to the name. We were quite excited at the prospect of attending the burial service with full military honours at Henninel Communal Cemetery Extension.

Rosie Barron, JCCC said:

Pte Greaves remained missing for over 100 years, although he lay just metres from the entrance to Heninel Communal Cemetery Extension. Having come so close to having a known grave, in the heat of war, he became lost. He now rests amongst his comrades and his story is complete. Although not all of Pte Greaves’ grandchildren were able to attend his burial service, it has been a privilege to meet them and to have played a part in solving the mystery surrounding their grandfather’s death.

Pte Greaves joined The King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry following the outbreak of World War 1. He initially served with 2nd Battalion, was wounded in September 1916 and at some stage he transferred to 6th Battalion. He died on 15 May 1917 during the Battle of Arras.

How Pte Greaves was identified

Based on the location of the find, JCCC determined it was most likely the remains belonged to a soldier of 6th Battalion KOYLI. The soldier had been bandaged, so it was considered likely that he had been wounded and treated prior to his death.

Further research found that although 6th Battalion were in the line east of Heninel between 6 and 15 May 1917, on 10 May their position in the line had changed, when they took over positions in the line further south. They remained in these new positions until being relieved on 15 May.

When their positions changed, so did their medical evacuation chain. From 10 May 1917, they began to use the crossroads north of Heninel Communal Cemetery Extension, known as ‘Hairpin Bend’ as a loading post for ambulances. JCCC found it likely he had been wounded after that date, been treated in the line and then brought to Hairpin Bend to be placed on an ambulance for evacuation. He may then have died there and been left at Heninel Communal Cemetery Extension for burial.

Once the remains had been linked with 6th Battalion KOYLI, and a likely casualty identified, relatives were traced and DNA testing against the remains was carried out by the JCCC contractor. This confirmed the identity of this casualty as Private Herbert Greaves.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 3 November 2022.

Due for completion in Summer 2023, the £13m project at Imjin Barracks, procured by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) on behalf of the British Army, will deliver 69 new single ensuite bedrooms, with re-designed living and kitchen/diner facilities that will enhance the communal living experience for soldiers.

The Imjin project is the first of a new wave of carbon net-zero constructions that will see major improvements to the standard of Single Living Accommodation (SLA) provided to Service people. The buildings are designed to enhance and support the needs of the military personnel that call them home.

Director Basing and Infrastructure, Major General Richard Clements CBE was joined by Rob Vining from DIO and members of the project’s appointed contractor, REDS10, and technical service provider, Arcadis, to mark the beginning of construction of a new Single Living Accommodation (SLA) block at Imjin Barracks, Gloucester.

Major General Richard Clements CBE, Director Basing & Infrastructure said:

To be present at the start of construction activity at Imjin Barracks is a moment to be celebrated. Imjin is the first site to benefit under the Army’s Single Living Accommodation Programme which will invest £1.2bn and deliver 8,500 SLA bedspaces over the next 10 years. This is in addition to the 8,000 SLA bedspaces being delivered by the Defence Estate Optimisation, Army Programme. Investing in accommodation and the lived experience for our Service personnel is an immediate priority. We have listened to our soldiers and taken on board feedback to ensure a better lived experience for our people.

The SLA Programme will prioritise the modernisation of under-invested, core sites that are to be retained across the Army estate. It will focus on removing the last of the multi-occupancy rooms whilst continuing to renew the oldest accommodation on the estate, raising the average Single Living Accommodation condition from ‘fair’ to ‘good’.

Rob Vining, DIO, Deputy Head of Major Programmes and Projects (Army) said:

I’m extremely proud to be able to mark this key milestone with the British Army, REDS10 and our technical service provider, Arcadis, as we break ground on the first of many new modern, carbon net-zero Single Living Accommodation blocks.

Not only will the new blocks mean a massive improvement in the lived experience for our Service personnel, they also continue to demonstrate Defence’s commitment to carbon net-zero by 2050.

I have been so impressed with the work my DIO colleagues and our Industry Partners have done so far and look forward to being here when we handover to the Army in Summer 2023.

The block will be built by the appointed contractor Reds10 using modern methods of construction (MMC). This means 90% of the work can be completed off site for substantially faster delivery. The accommodation is designed to achieve very low energy usage intensity. The building will have solar panels, air source heat pumps for heating and hot water and a SMART building management system that learns how the building is used through a multitude of sensor data, ensuring that the building runs as efficiently as possible.

Paul Ruddick, Chairman REDS10 added:

It’s marvellous to be part of another project working with DIO and the British Army on improving the lived experience of our Armed Forces personnel. The triple-storey building at Imjin Barracks will not only harness MMC for faster delivery but also for a lower carbon, more energy efficient and higher quality product. Perhaps most crucially though, the design and construction are being driven by how the space will be used by Service personnel.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 1 November 2022.

The £155 million contract, which provides maintenance work, repairs, servicing, and hard facilities management to the MOD’s estate in Gibraltar, was awarded to Mitie in May by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO). It will cover every part of the MOD estate in Gibraltar, from the harbour and the runway to offices and accommodation.

It is the first contract to come into service under DIO’s new Overseas Prime Contracts (OPC) programme, which will also see further contracts come into force at Defence sites including Cyprus, Germany, the Falkland Islands and Ascension Island. The contract is for an initial period of seven years and aims to be more flexible and responsive to the needs of service personnel and staff in Gibraltar, allowing them to focus on their work in the knowledge that they have safe and resilient infrastructure to work from.

The new contracts have been developed taking into account recommendations for improvements to the current arrangements and will mean a better service for hundreds of military personnel based overseas. They seek to provide better value for money and quicker repairs, reducing bureaucracy and unnecessary processes to keep the estate operational.

Greater alignment to current industry standards will mean increased collaboration between DIO and its suppliers and allow for services to be better tailored to the requirements of specific sites. A new, integrated software system will enable information to be shared more effectively.

The contracts have been designed to promote more efficient processes and the quicker delivery of high volume, lower value works, ensuring increased value for money. Performance targets will encourage a high standard of repairs and reduce the need for repeat visits.

The contract is expected to directly sustain around 200 jobs in Gibraltar.

DIO’s Chief Operating Officer David Brewer said:

DIO is committed to supporting people across the Armed Forces who depend on us to provide facilities and essential services which allow them to work safely and securely.

This important milestone follows years of hard work to design a contract that builds on the successes of existing hard facilities management arrangements while adding additional services and improvements to improve the quality of life for our Armed Forces in Gibraltar.

Commodore Tom Guy, Commander British Forces Gibraltar, said:

I look forward to the new contract coming into effect, and the benefits it will bring to our people, both uniformed and civilian, here in Gibraltar. I am particularly pleased to hear of the promised improvements, which I hope will do two things: firstly help us to execute our mission effectively, while preparing Gibraltar better for the future, and secondly, to improve the daily lived experience for all our people.

Brian Talbot, Managing Director, Central Government & Defence, Mitie, said:

As proud supporters of the British Armed Forces, we are delighted to be running the new Overseas Prime Contract for Gibraltar. We are committed to working with the Defence Infrastructure Organisation to improve services for our Armed Forces based in Gibraltar, delivered by our exceptional colleagues and building on the technology solutions we have implemented on our Future Defence Infrastructure Services contract in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The next OPC contract to be awarded will be for hard facilities management in Cyprus in early 2023, with the final contract to be the South Atlantic Islands in summer 2024.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 28 October 2022.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 26 October 2022.

• Defence Secretary Ben Wallace met his Turkish counterpart Minister Akar in Istanbul.
• Ministers talked about opportunities for greater cooperation.
• The meeting took place at SAHA Expo – the Turkish international defence show.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace met with his Turkish counterpart Defence Minister Hulusi Akar in Istanbul. The meeting covered a range of topics, including training, equipment, capabilities and further opportunities for cooperation across the domains.

The Ministers discussed how the UK and Türkiye will continue to work together, and with international partners, on shared challenges and issues – including Russia’s abhorrent war in Ukraine and Türkiye’s crucial role in ensuring grain exports are able to leave the region.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said:

It has been a great pleasure to meet again with my defence counterpart, Minister Akar. The UK and Türkiye share a long-standing defence partnership and commitment to shared security challenges, including Russia’s war with Ukraine.

The meeting builds on several years of increased cooperation between the UK and Türkiye on defence matters.

The Defence Secretary attended the SAHA Expo – the Turkish Defence exhibition – where he met with senior Turkish figures from across defence and aerospace sectors. The Defence Secretary also held meetings with the newly appointed Slovenian Defence Minister Marjan Šarec and Ukrainian Minister for Strategic Industries, Pavlo Riabikin.

British industry was on display during the event, which was attended by BAE Systems, Leonardo and Rolls Royce.

The Defence Secretary’s visit to Türkiye comes just weeks after Minister Akar visited the UK for discussions on defence cooperation and their commitment to security as NATO allies.

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

A statement on the Chief of the Defence Staff’s call with the Russian Chief of the General Staff, General of the Army Valery Vasilyevich Gerasimov.

At the request of the Russian Ministry of Defence, the Chief of the Defence Staff, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, spoke with his Russian counterpart, General of the Army Valery Vasilyevich Gerasimov, this afternoon.

The Chief of the Defence Staff rejected Russia’s allegations that Ukraine is planning actions to escalate the conflict, and he restated the UK’s enduring support for Ukraine.

The military leaders both agreed on the importance of maintaining open channels of communication between the UK and Russia to manage the risk of miscalculation and to facilitate de-escalation.

The conversation followed the Defence Secretary’s call with his Russian counterpart yesterday and a call between the Foreign Ministers of France, the UK, and the USA last night.

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

At the request of the Russian Ministry of Defence, the Secretary of State for Defence spoke with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Shoigu, this afternoon. Minister Shoigu alleged that Ukraine was planning actions facilitated by Western countries, including the UK, to escalate the conflict in Ukraine.

The Defence Secretary refuted these claims and cautioned that such allegations should not be used as a pretext for greater escalation.

The Defence Secretary also reiterated UK and wider international support for Ukraine and desire to de-escalate this conflict. It is for Ukraine and Russia to seek resolution to the war and the UK stands ready to assist.

The Secretary of State observed that both Ministers were professional and respectful on the call.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 20 October 2022.

Serving personnel and their families will be better supported through the Defence Accommodation Strategy that will prioritise needs over military ranks.

New strategy introduces minimum standards to Single Living Accommodation

Long-term relationships treated equal to marriage and civil partnerships

Housing allocation based on family needs rather than military rank

This holistic approach prioritises the needs and personal circumstances of individuals, and ensures the most suitable accommodation is allocated.

The Government is also extending the eligibility requirements of the Service Families Accommodation to make sure the same level of support is offered to those in long term relationships. As a result of this change, the Ministry of Defence will be able to offer more service people access to a larger variety of housing leading to the reduction in excess housing.

During a visit to Combermere Barracks, Windsor, Minister for Defence People, Veterans and Service Families Sarah Atherton also confirmed that the Ministry of Defence will raise the standards of Single Living Accommodation through a number of measures set out in the Defence Accommodation Strategy, delivering on a wider commitment to ensure the needs of serving personnel are met.

Setting out a clear vision to improve accommodation for those serving in the Armed Forces and their families, the strategy promotes the fair allocation of accommodation, seeks to improve the quality of accommodation, and ensure better value for money whilst promoting environmental sustainability.

Minister for Defence People, Veterans and Service Families Sarah Atherton said:

“Our Armed Forces dedicate their lives to our nation and deserve a decent standard of accommodation. The changes I have announced today will ensure we maximise the support we provide.

Serving personnel and their families make significant sacrifices to adapt to the various demands of service life. We must do all we can to give them the right accommodation that meets their needs, now and into the future.”

The strategy focuses on:

The introduction of a minimum standard for Single Living Accommodation which will raise the baseline quality across the entire defence estate, which all SLA accommodation must adhere to. This is in addition to mandatory safety and legal compliance measures that SLA must offer individuals including appropriately private, quiet, secure, dry, appropriately ventilated and heated space with access to hot water.
Adapting the allocation of accommodation to take into account individual needs rather than basing decision on rank.

Recognising long-term relationships as equal to marriage or civil partnerships, allowing serving personnel to apply for accommodation in the same manner as those who are married and in civil partnerships.

Chief of Defence People Lieutenant General James Smith said:

“The world has changed dramatically over the past few decades and the accommodation needs of our Service people and their families have changed with it.

This strategy makes a commitment that in the future accommodation need will be based on the individual family and that all established long term relationships are treated equally. A modern offer for a modern military providing access to high quality, affordable accommodation for those who help protect the nation.”