UK Defence Journal 'Weekly Brief'

Posted: 18th February 2024

Welcome to the UK Defence Journal ‘Weekly Brief’.Below you will find some of the most popular articles on our website over the last week.

UK ‘reputation as world power’ diminished without Albions
https://gqnk289.r.eu-west-1.awstrack.me/L0/https:%2F%2Fukdefencejournal.org.uk%2F%3Fnltr=NDg7MzAxOTtodHRwczovL3VrZGVmZW5jZWpvdXJuYWwub3JnLnVrL3VrLXJlcHV0YXRpb24tYXMtd29ybGQtcG93ZXItZGltaW5pc2hlZC13aXRob3V0LWFsYmlvbnMvOztkNmZlZDgxMzY0ODU1MGQzYjMzZTBiNjRjMzNmMmYxMw%253D%253D/1/0102018db7e52bf1-9ba70d33-3090-4ed8-b488-59cfd76459c9-000000/Qj2IM0Lu7tNWfeffQ26HYx6p8is=361
A former Commander of the Falklands Task Group and the former Captain of HMS Fearless have urged the Government not to scrap the Albion class assault ships.
Read more… (https://gqnk289.r.eu-west-1.awstrack.me/L0/https:%2F%2Fukdefencejournal.org.uk%2F%3Fnltr=NDg7MzAxOTtodHRwczovL3VrZGVmZW5jZWpvdXJuYWwub3JnLnVrL3VrLXJlcHV0YXRpb24tYXMtd29ybGQtcG93ZXItZGltaW5pc2hlZC13aXRob3V0LWFsYmlvbnMvOztkNmZlZDgxMzY0ODU1MGQzYjMzZTBiNjRjMzNmMmYxMw%253D%253D/2/0102018db7e52bf1-9ba70d33-3090-4ed8-b488-59cfd76459c9-000000/Ip-0o-o27tBEdZKw3xj66b5C3FQ=361)
UK to supply thousands more drones to Ukraine
https://gqnk289.r.eu-west-1.awstrack.me/L0/https:%2F%2Fukdefencejournal.org.uk%2F%3Fnltr=NDg7MzAxOTtodHRwczovL3VrZGVmZW5jZWpvdXJuYWwub3JnLnVrL3VrLXRvLXN1cHBseS10aG91c2FuZHMtbW9yZS1kcm9uZXMtdG8tdWtyYWluZS87O2U3NmQ5Yzk0NzhkODVlNDE4YjM3NzA5OTY3N2JjN2Iw/1/0102018db7e52bf1-9ba70d33-3090-4ed8-b488-59cfd76459c9-000000/BgJ0RSXxKq_FPQdLhIZGeocOGaM=361
Ukraine will receive thousands more drones as Defence Secretary Grant Shapps announced today that the UK will co-lead a major drone capability coalition with Latvia for Ukraine.
Read more… (https://gqnk289.r.eu-west-1.awstrack.me/L0/https:%2F%2Fukdefencejournal.org.uk%2F%3Fnltr=NDg7MzAxOTtodHRwczovL3VrZGVmZW5jZWpvdXJuYWwub3JnLnVrL3VrLXRvLXN1cHBseS10aG91c2FuZHMtbW9yZS1kcm9uZXMtdG8tdWtyYWluZS87O2U3NmQ5Yzk0NzhkODVlNDE4YjM3NzA5OTY3N2JjN2Iw/2/0102018db7e52bf1-9ba70d33-3090-4ed8-b488-59cfd76459c9-000000/zneVTzRcZ2ucjyA9K12kFF4tWjw=361)
RFA minehunting mothership begins training in Scotland
https://gqnk289.r.eu-west-1.awstrack.me/L0/https:%2F%2Fukdefencejournal.org.uk%2F%3Fnltr=NDg7MzAxOTtodHRwczovL3VrZGVmZW5jZWpvdXJuYWwub3JnLnVrL3JmYS1taW5laHVudGluZy1tb3RoZXJzaGlwLWJlZ2lucy10cmFpbmluZy1pbi1zY290bGFuZC87OzMzYzhiOWNhZWU5MDEzYWViYmVlYzFmNGE1MGY5YmZm/1/0102018db7e52bf1-9ba70d33-3090-4ed8-b488-59cfd76459c9-000000/9_Ncsh2CLlw0TQtNT9DFUxJBSqQ=361
RFA Stirling Castle, the new ‘mothership’ for mine warfare drone technology, arrived on the Clyde in late January.
Read more… (https://gqnk289.r.eu-west-1.awstrack.me/L0/https:%2F%2Fukdefencejournal.org.uk%2F%3Fnltr=NDg7MzAxOTtodHRwczovL3VrZGVmZW5jZWpvdXJuYWwub3JnLnVrL3JmYS1taW5laHVudGluZy1tb3RoZXJzaGlwLWJlZ2lucy10cmFpbmluZy1pbi1zY290bGFuZC87OzMzYzhiOWNhZWU5MDEzYWViYmVlYzFmNGE1MGY5YmZm/2/0102018db7e52bf1-9ba70d33-3090-4ed8-b488-59cfd76459c9-000000/1Gof9YT4662Ko1RIcFzPxAMGdjo=361)
Protestors block entry to BAE shipyard in Glasgow
https://gqnk289.r.eu-west-1.awstrack.me/L0/https:%2F%2Fukdefencejournal.org.uk%2F%3Fnltr=NDg7MzAxOTtodHRwczovL3VrZGVmZW5jZWpvdXJuYWwub3JnLnVrL3Byb3Rlc3RvcnMtYmxvY2stZW50cnktdG8tYmFlLXNoaXB5YXJkLWluLWdsYXNnb3cvOztmODM4MGI3Zjc4NWJlZDhmOWU1Y2Q0NGE2YmUwM2VkZA%253D%253D/1/0102018db7e52bf1-9ba70d33-3090-4ed8-b488-59cfd76459c9-000000/e_C2vzrUQCclnyg5Q9nWW7gnaqc=361
The Glasgow shipyard, currently building Type 26 Frigates for the Royal Navy, was targeted by protestors calling for an immediate ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas taking place…
Read more… (https://gqnk289.r.eu-west-1.awstrack.me/L0/https:%2F%2Fukdefencejournal.org.uk%2F%3Fnltr=NDg7MzAxOTtodHRwczovL3VrZGVmZW5jZWpvdXJuYWwub3JnLnVrL3Byb3Rlc3RvcnMtYmxvY2stZW50cnktdG8tYmFlLXNoaXB5YXJkLWluLWdsYXNnb3cvOztmODM4MGI3Zjc4NWJlZDhmOWU1Y2Q0NGE2YmUwM2VkZA%253D%253D/2/0102018db7e52bf1-9ba70d33-3090-4ed8-b488-59cfd76459c9-000000/Va1sxuueFLF-gD_8-uugiQOnTDE=361)
British surveillance aircraft continues patrols near Ukraine
https://gqnk289.r.eu-west-1.awstrack.me/L0/https:%2F%2Fukdefencejournal.org.uk%2F%3Fnltr=NDg7MzAxOTtodHRwczovL3VrZGVmZW5jZWpvdXJuYWwub3JnLnVrL2JyaXRpc2gtc3VydmVpbGxhbmNlLWFpcmNyYWZ0LWNvbnRpbnVlcy1wYXRyb2xzLW5lYXItdWtyYWluZS87OzBjNjA2Yjc1ZDBmMzFlMjFhOTE4N2JkNDcxNjFiMTU0/1/0102018db7e52bf1-9ba70d33-3090-4ed8-b488-59cfd76459c9-000000/8L9rIBTBiycQ5PL6pScszzto1k8=361
The aircraft was there to conduct electronic surveillance and gather intelligence on Russian forces inside Ukraine.
Read more… (https://gqnk289.r.eu-west-1.awstrack.me/L0/https:%2F%2Fukdefencejournal.org.uk%2F%3Fnltr=NDg7MzAxOTtodHRwczovL3VrZGVmZW5jZWpvdXJuYWwub3JnLnVrL2JyaXRpc2gtc3VydmVpbGxhbmNlLWFpcmNyYWZ0LWNvbnRpbnVlcy1wYXRyb2xzLW5lYXItdWtyYWluZS87OzBjNjA2Yjc1ZDBmMzFlMjFhOTE4N2JkNDcxNjFiMTU0/2/0102018db7e52bf1-9ba70d33-3090-4ed8-b488-59cfd76459c9-000000/qW_7VMmEJOKenmfjGAcx2XSdowQ=361)
BAE Systems to enhance U.S. Air Force EA-37B fleet
https://gqnk289.r.eu-west-1.awstrack.me/L0/https:%2F%2Fukdefencejournal.org.uk%2F%3Fnltr=NDg7MzAxOTtodHRwczovL3VrZGVmZW5jZWpvdXJuYWwub3JnLnVrL2JhZS1zeXN0ZW1zLXRvLWVuaGFuY2UtdS1zLWFpci1mb3JjZS1lYS0zN2ItZmxlZXQvOzsyNTZhYjJiNDY3OGNlOTgwZjc0NGQ0YWI0ZjhmNWMxMQ%253D%253D/1/0102018db7e52bf1-9ba70d33-3090-4ed8-b488-59cfd76459c9-000000/-I5o8t9BYyr1wPS4czSlbLtZ3Yk=361
BAE Systems is set to equip the U.S. Air Force’s EA-37B aircraft with new electromagnetic warfare mission systems.
Read more… (https://gqnk289.r.eu-west-1.awstrack.me/L0/https:%2F%2Fukdefencejournal.org.uk%2F%3Fnltr=NDg7MzAxOTtodHRwczovL3VrZGVmZW5jZWpvdXJuYWwub3JnLnVrL2JhZS1zeXN0ZW1zLXRvLWVuaGFuY2UtdS1zLWFpci1mb3JjZS1lYS0zN2ItZmxlZXQvOzsyNTZhYjJiNDY3OGNlOTgwZjc0NGQ0YWI0ZjhmNWMxMQ%253D%253D/2/0102018db7e52bf1-9ba70d33-3090-4ed8-b488-59cfd76459c9-000000/jHdDheTRicjRuy-mw-RDW4TTVgU=361)
British Army deploys for NATO’s largest exercise since Cold War
https://gqnk289.r.eu-west-1.awstrack.me/L0/https:%2F%2Fukdefencejournal.org.uk%2F%3Fnltr=NDg7MzAxOTtodHRwczovL3VrZGVmZW5jZWpvdXJuYWwub3JnLnVrL2JyaXRpc2gtYXJteS1kZXBsb3lzLWZvci1uYXRvcy1sYXJnZXN0LWV4ZXJjaXNlLXNpbmNlLWNvbGQtd2FyLzs7NmEzNDE0ZWE1M2E2NmE1NDc2MDE0OGM1ZGJjYzkxODk%253D/1/0102018db7e52bf1-9ba70d33-3090-4ed8-b488-59cfd76459c9-000000/KFHNGiEbt2dkRnkSD6I5UhXs3ks=361
The British Army has initiated the deployment of over 700 vehicles to Poland for Exercise Steadfast Defender.
Read more… (https://gqnk289.r.eu-west-1.awstrack.me/L0/https:%2F%2Fukdefencejournal.org.uk%2F%3Fnltr=NDg7MzAxOTtodHRwczovL3VrZGVmZW5jZWpvdXJuYWwub3JnLnVrL2JyaXRpc2gtYXJteS1kZXBsb3lzLWZvci1uYXRvcy1sYXJnZXN0LWV4ZXJjaXNlLXNpbmNlLWNvbGQtd2FyLzs7NmEzNDE0ZWE1M2E2NmE1NDc2MDE0OGM1ZGJjYzkxODk%253D/2/0102018db7e52bf1-9ba70d33-3090-4ed8-b488-59cfd76459c9-000000/_Lhbm6Qsom8njpBLK7wx1Z8YCWM=361)
Babcock plans next-gen frigates with crews as small as 50
https://gqnk289.r.eu-west-1.awstrack.me/L0/https:%2F%2Fukdefencejournal.org.uk%2F%3Fnltr=NDg7MzAxOTtodHRwczovL3VrZGVmZW5jZWpvdXJuYWwub3JnLnVrL2JhYmNvY2stcGxhbnMtbmV4dC1nZW4tZnJpZ2F0ZXMtd2l0aC1jcmV3cy1hcy1zbWFsbC1hcy01MC87OzU5MWM5YjU4YzFlNzhjYWFkNDUxMGY4OWM1ZWFkNDRm/1/0102018db7e52bf1-9ba70d33-3090-4ed8-b488-59cfd76459c9-000000/kmj0yhltLuQ5B6Ny_Sfhis9dAkg=361
“We’re doing a crew of about 105 on Type 31, so realistically we should be aiming to half that number for batch two.”
Read more… (https://gqnk289.r.eu-west-1.awstrack.me/L0/https:%2F%2Fukdefencejournal.org.uk%2F%3Fnltr=NDg7MzAxOTtodHRwczovL3VrZGVmZW5jZWpvdXJuYWwub3JnLnVrL2JhYmNvY2stcGxhbnMtbmV4dC1nZW4tZnJpZ2F0ZXMtd2l0aC1jcmV3cy1hcy1zbWFsbC1hcy01MC87OzU5MWM5YjU4YzFlNzhjYWFkNDUxMGY4OWM1ZWFkNDRm/2/0102018db7e52bf1-9ba70d33-3090-4ed8-b488-59cfd76459c9-000000/tMxCwP2VBFQFfPZHHhoRR-LUHHo=361)
Work begins integrating British torpedo to Poseidon
https://gqnk289.r.eu-west-1.awstrack.me/L0/https:%2F%2Fukdefencejournal.org.uk%2F%3Fnltr=NDg7MzAxOTtodHRwczovL3VrZGVmZW5jZWpvdXJuYWwub3JnLnVrL3dvcmstYmVnaW5zLWludGVncmF0aW5nLWJyaXRpc2gtdG9ycGVkby10by1wb3NlaWRvbi87OzQ3NjI5ZGFmMzVlOWIzYzQ0OTgxZTkzYWQ0ODRkOTky/1/0102018db7e52bf1-9ba70d33-3090-4ed8-b488-59cfd76459c9-000000/DTrwaDanMLCIyS6O0OuEU3PcFC0=361
Sting Ray, a British designed technologically advanced lightweight torpedo, will be integrated on the RAF’s Maritime Patrol Aircraft fleet.
Read more… (https://gqnk289.r.eu-west-1.awstrack.me/L0/https:%2F%2Fukdefencejournal.org.uk%2F%3Fnltr=NDg7MzAxOTtodHRwczovL3VrZGVmZW5jZWpvdXJuYWwub3JnLnVrL3dvcmstYmVnaW5zLWludGVncmF0aW5nLWJyaXRpc2gtdG9ycGVkby10by1wb3NlaWRvbi87OzQ3NjI5ZGFmMzVlOWIzYzQ0OTgxZTkzYWQ0ODRkOTky/2/0102018db7e52bf1-9ba70d33-3090-4ed8-b488-59cfd76459c9-000000/n4o5_UBkKdIfWUFtGOL-oC9PYZQ=361)
First all-female aircrew completes NATO AWACS mission
https://gqnk289.r.eu-west-1.awstrack.me/L0/https:%2F%2Fukdefencejournal.org.uk%2F%3Fnltr=NDg7MzAxOTtodHRwczovL3VrZGVmZW5jZWpvdXJuYWwub3JnLnVrL2ZpcnN0LWFsbC1mZW1hbGUtYWlyY3Jldy1jb21wbGV0ZXMtbmF0by1hd2Fjcy1taXNzaW9uLzs7ZTc2ZWZjZGEyYjcwMzBlNzg3Mjk0MDczYTU3Zjg1NTY%253D/1/0102018db7e52bf1-9ba70d33-3090-4ed8-b488-59cfd76459c9-000000/sIIKsR34ZyyDiY3vvza-qXgS6HY=361
For the first time ever, a NATO AWACS mission sortie has been completed with an all-female aircrew.
Read more… (https://gqnk289.r.eu-west-1.awstrack.me/L0/https:%2F%2Fukdefencejournal.org.uk%2F%3Fnltr=NDg7MzAxOTtodHRwczovL3VrZGVmZW5jZWpvdXJuYWwub3JnLnVrL2ZpcnN0LWFsbC1mZW1hbGUtYWlyY3Jldy1jb21wbGV0ZXMtbmF0by1hd2Fjcy1taXNzaW9uLzs7ZTc2ZWZjZGEyYjcwMzBlNzg3Mjk0MDczYTU3Zjg1NTY%253D/2/0102018db7e52bf1-9ba70d33-3090-4ed8-b488-59cfd76459c9-000000/m2Oan9SR3vr3X5xGYyFY_TAOnR0=361)

https://gqnk289.r.eu-west-1.awstrack.me/L0/https:%2F%2Fukdefencejournal.org.uk%2F%3Fnltr=NDg7MzAxOTtodHRwczovL3d3dy5mYWNlYm9vay5jb20vVUtEZWZlbmNlSm91cm5hbDs7NzEwMzNmZWU3ZGE5MGY2MDk5ZmY1MjQ1OTJhOTc5MjA%253D/1/0102018db7e52bf1-9ba70d33-3090-4ed8-b488-59cfd76459c9-000000/98ptFcYRUUZA5KUS8BBPH-kF7n4=361 https://gqnk289.r.eu-west-1.awstrack.me/L0/https:%2F%2Fukdefencejournal.org.uk%2F%3Fnltr=NDg7MzAxOTtodHRwczovL3R3aXR0ZXIuY29tL1VLRGVmSm91cm5hbDs7MTFiNWI3YTY4OGNmNmZhMDBiOTRmMjA1MjIxODM3Y2E%253D/1/0102018db7e52bf1-9ba70d33-3090-4ed8-b488-59cfd76459c9-000000/tDuAMsPTCzwL-Li9bhv4Wb6d49E=361