British Military Current Events

[OldSolduer]

Well she wouldn’t like my civil service work place then…

Neither of my former places of employment would suit her.

 

[daftandbarmy]

Lawfare insights from a few SAS legends ...

Stirling Series | The SAS: The Past, Present and Future of UK Special Forces​

Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, Ed Butler, George Simm and Bob Parr bring decades of first-hand SAS experience to a discussion with the Daily Telegraph’s Allison Pearson on the Regiment’s past, present and future. In this highly compelling session, they will explain what the SAS truly is, why it was created, and how it has developed from its wartime beginnings in 1941 to the renowned, world-class force that it is today. They will also address one of the most urgent national security questions currently facing the UK - what happens when human rights legislation collides with the legitimate need for lethal force?

More on that 'covenant' thing from Simon...

 

[daftandbarmy]

Canada kicks ass, eh?

https://twitter.com/x/status/2105677869380956545

 

[daftandbarmy]

Too bad the whole lot didn't get the chop...

https://twitter.com/x/status/2106492112019812610

 

[daftandbarmy]

'Britannia Shield', eh?

I'd rather go with "Bloody Big.Brolly"

https://twitter.com/x/status/2109328196311097569

 

[daftandbarmy]

Well, it's not like there's a need anyways - right?

 

[Oldgateboatdriver]

And we thought we had it bad here in Canada.

 

[Eaglelord17]

Those aircraft carriers are kinda useless without the ships to guard them.

100% reliant on allies for any level of security, not a good state to be in.

 

[Oldgateboatdriver]

And no advance guard because no submarine available.

 

[GR66]

Looks like the UK has learned some tricks from Canada...

UK scraps three planned Boxer variants after budget cut

The British Army has dropped plans for armored mortar, repair and recovery, and anti-tank overwatch versions of its Boxer wheeled armored vehicle, and has ruled out using Boxer in the armored cavalry role, Defence Minister Luke Pollard told Parliament. Pollard,

defence-blog.com

“As part of reprioritisation within the Military Strategic Headquarters, the Armoured Mortar, Repair and Recovery and Mounted Close Combat Overwatch capabilities of the Mechanised Infantry Vehicle programme are no longer being pursued,” said Pollard.


He added that the Army is considering how the underlying capability requirements will be addressed, meaning the need for those three jobs remains even though the Boxer versions designed to fill them are gone.

So, mechanized forces without mortars, AT and recovery variants. Anyone else see a problem here?

 

[daftandbarmy]

Log on...

 

[daftandbarmy]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2111560332715987374

 

[daftandbarmy]

Pleading the 5th...

SAS personnel ‘refusing to answer’ questions about alleged extrajudicial killings in Afghanistan​

Judge leading UK inquiry says most operators using privilege against self-incrimination to refuse to provide information


Most SAS personnel approached by an inquiry into alleged extrajudicial killings in Afghanistan have refused to answer any questions, the judge leading the proceedings has said.

Lord Justice Haddon-Cave is investigating allegations of more than 50 summary killings by UK special forces soldiers as well as claims of an alleged cover-up of illegal activity and inadequate investigations by the Royal Military Police.


In a public hearing, Haddon-Cave said a number of rule 9 requests – written notices asking for information – had been sent to SAS operators who were linked to the deliberate detention operations (DDOs) at the centre of allegations.

“The inquiry has identified numerous SAS personnel from whom it wishes to hear direct evidence as to the DDOs in question and has issued rule 9 requests for information to each of them,” he said.

“A high proportion have indicated their intention to rely on their privilege against self-incrimination and have refused to answer any questions asked by the inquiry.”

SAS personnel ‘refusing to answer’ questions about alleged extrajudicial killings in Afghanistan

Judge leading inquiry says most operators using privilege against self-incrimination to refuse to provide information

www.theguardian.com

 

[Oldgateboatdriver]

While journalists always make a scene when witnesses take that position, it is important to remember that, in law, absolutely nothing can be inferred from the refusal to answer a question on the basis of that privilege. A witness who, in fact, has done nothing wrong, can use that privilege to refuse to answer a question whose potential answer (not the one the witness would give because factually innocent) for anyone guilty might serve to incriminate such guilty person.

I have won two objections to evidence of such use of privilege being used as an inference of guilt all the way to Court of Appeals level.

 

[Cloud Cover]

Posted without comment.

 

[Kirkhill]

Looks like the UK has learned some tricks from Canada...

UK scraps three planned Boxer variants after budget cut

The British Army has dropped plans for armored mortar, repair and recovery, and anti-tank overwatch versions of its Boxer wheeled armored vehicle, and has ruled out using Boxer in the armored cavalry role, Defence Minister Luke Pollard told Parliament. Pollard,

defence-blog.com

So, mechanized forces without mortars, AT and recovery variants. Anyone else see a problem here?

All Boxers built to one standard, says minister

All 623 Boxers are being delivered to a common build standard, which has made variant and build configuration effectively the same thing.

ukdefencejournal.org.uk

The rest of the story...

"A common build standard means the hulls and drive modules come off the line identically whatever mission module they eventually carry, which is the design logic of the vehicle: the mission module can be lifted off and another fitted. Ministers confirmed earlier this month that Boxers will be able to recover one another in the field and that the vehicle has been built with the electrical and physical margin to take a remote weapon station later."

623 armoured Boxer Pickup Trucks have been ordered by the Brits.

The modules that sit in the truck bed are considered separately.

The module determines the Boxer's role.

 

[FJAG]

The rest of the story...

"A common build standard means the hulls and drive modules come off the line identically whatever mission module they eventually carry, which is the design logic of the vehicle: the mission module can be lifted off and another fitted. Ministers confirmed earlier this month that Boxers will be able to recover one another in the field and that the vehicle has been built with the electrical and physical margin to take a remote weapon station later."

623 armoured Boxer Pickup Trucks have been ordered by the Brits.

The modules that sit in the truck bed are considered separately.

The module determines the Boxer's role.

Boy, the pencil pusher rationalization is so thick that you can cut it with a knife. My guess is that the army was given a budget limitation and told to do its own cuts as to what modules they consider important. Like Canada at the turn of the century, their infantry chooses to support rifle companies over support companies. Rifle modules are generally cheaper than SEV modules. No one ever seems to choose fewer, but more properly equipped, battalions as their answer.

 

[Kirkhill]

Boy, the pencil pusher rationalization is so thick that you can cut it with a knife. My guess is that the army was given a budget limitation and told to do its own cuts as to what modules they consider important. Like Canada at the turn of the century, their infantry chooses to support rifle companies over support companies. Rifle modules are generally cheaper than SEV modules. No one ever seems to choose fewer, but more properly equipped, battalions as their answer.

Kind of like buying as many Leo 2s as possible and then hoping to find the money in future budgets for necessary modifications.

Or buying 199 Bisons

149 APCs
18 CPs
16 Mors
18 MRTs

and converting them into

32 Ambulances
32 MRTs
32 MRVs
25 EWs
4 NBCRs
32 CPs

Over time. When the budget allowed.

 

[FJAG]

Over time. When the budget allowed.

Had an interesting interview with a former CDS that discussed that very issue. His experience was that government really hated the army for not putting the package together fully the first time and then coming back later and saying: "Oh yes, and we need more ammunition for the training and op stocks; and oh yes, now we need ambulances and recovery vehicles; and oh, yes, we need another 100 PYs to run this aspect; and so on."

Sometime you just have to bite the bullet. If the government only gives you enough money to properly equip four battalions then that's what you do - properly equip four battalions. Don't pretend that you have six when you don't have the equipment for them.