UK – Page 12 – The Defense Post

Apr- 2024 -

5 April

Air

Pictured: A Merlin Mk4 of 845 NAS performs a snow landing using MAOTS BV Vehicles as reference. 845 NAS and CDO MOAT TRAIN WITH RN MEDICS IN ARCTIC ENVIRONMENT. 845 Naval Air Squadron (NAS) and the Commando Mobile Air Operation Team (Cdo MAOT) have conducted training with the Medical Squadron of Commando Logistic Regiment. The objective of the training was to teach the attached Royal Marines, Royal Navy Medical Assistants, Naval Nurses, and Medical Officers of the Forward Surgical Teams (FSTs) and as a group, known as the Commando Forward Surgical Group (CFSG) in Stage 1 Evacuation drills from the Merlin Mk4 and Arctic Casualty Loading Drills in the field. As the CFSG team were dropped off by 845 NAS, Cdo MAOT assisted by the MAOT team of the Joint Helicopter Support Squadron (JHSS) took over the training by first getting them into a ‘Arctic Huddle’ to protect themselves from the freezing downwash of the merlin as they took back off. The CFSG were then shown how to assess suitable Helicopter Landing Sites in deep snow and frozen areas. Op CLOCKWORK (Formally Exercise CLOCKWORK) has been running at Bardufoss for over 50 years and delivers Environmental Flying Qualifications, Cold Weather Survival, Tent Group Commanders and Snow and Ice driving courses to ensure that the personnel of the Joint Helicopter Command (JHC) are trained to operate in the harshest of environments.

Safran to Continue Engine Support for Royal Navy Merlin Helicopters

The UK has awarded Safran Helicopter Engines a contract to extend support for Royal Navy Merlin medium-lift rotorcraft engines.

5 April

Arctic

Two soldiers are seen operating two black-and-white Lynx Brutal Over Snow Reconnaissance Vehicles in the middle of a snowfield. The soldiers are wearing white as camouflage to blend in well with their surroundings.

Juster Domingo

UK Royal Marines to Purchase 159 Snowmobiles for Arctic Ops

The UK Royal Marines are investing $12.6 million in 159 snowmobiles for Arctic missions.

3 April

Air

Joe Saballa

UK Conducts Surprise Readiness Check of Global Response Force

The British Army has initiated a no-notice readiness check of its Global Response Force amid the escalating tensions in the region.

3 April

Air

Image of humanitarian aid, seen here being airdropped over Gaza from a RAF A400M aircraft today (25/03/2024). The Royal Air Force airdropped over 10 tonnes of food supplies into Gaza for the first time on Monday, as part of international efforts to provide life-saving assistance to civilians. The aid, which consists of water, rice, cooking oil, flour, tinned goods and baby formula, will support the people of Gaza. The Defence Secretary authorised the airdrop following an assessed reduction in threat to the military mission and risk to civilians. An RAF A400M flew from Amman, Jordan to airdrop this aid along the northern coastline of Gaza, as part of the Jordanian-led international aid mission. UK personnel worked closely with the Royal Jordanian Air Force to plan and conduct this mission.

Rojoef Manuel

UK, Netherlands Airdrop Humanitarian Aid for Gaza

The British and Dutch governments have deployed their air forces to the Middle East to supply humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza.

Mar- 2024 -

25 March

Europe

Joe Saballa

UK Military is Not AI-Ready, Says Defense Official

The UK military is not yet ready to fully adopt artificial intelligence (AI) into its systems despite increasing global initiatives to the technology for modern warfare.

22 March

Europe

A British Army land rover with an electric engine is seen parked on the right side of the image, right beside a NEOM McLaren Extreme E racecar on the left. A uniformed army personnel is seen reaching for the land rover's door, as if opening it. The rover is painted brown-green, with a plate in its front that reads "LURCHER".The racecar is painted black with orange decals.

Juster Domingo

UK Taps McLaren for High Tech, Electric Defense Capabilities

The UK Ministry of Defence has partnered with automotive manufacturer McLaren to develop high-tech, innovative projects for the British Army.

22 March

Americas

Joe Saballa

Australia Picks BAE to Build Multibillion-Dollar Nuclear Submarines

The Australian government has selected BAE Systems to build its new fleet of nuclear-powered submarines.

18 March

Europe

HMS Sutherland, a UK Royal Navy frigate, is seen sailing on calm waters. The gray ship has "F81" painted in black on its side. Around 60 of its crew members are seen standing on deck, wearing their navy blue uniforms and white sailor hats. The sky is shrouded in light gray clouds.

Juster Domingo

HMS Sutherland Returns as UK Concludes Type 23 Frigate Upgrades

The UK Royal Navy's HMS Sutherland has completed its life extension refit at the Devonport Naval Base in southwest England.

15 March

Air

Yesterday a Royal Air Force Chinook operated by a 27 Squadron crew out of RAF Odiham headed to Holbeach Ranges to conduct a Gunnery sortie. The aircraft flying as VORTEX468 lifted out of Odiham with a full complement of Air Loadmasters looking to complete vital currencies via the Annual Combat Marksmanship Test, firing the aircrafts M134 Minigun and M60D machine gun. After completing the day element of the range, the aircraft landed on at RAF Coningsby to take on fuel and have a full ammo replenishment thanks to the RAF Odiham armourers. After which she headed back out to complete the same package, but at night, with the crew utilising Night Vision Goggles. Joint Helicopter Command deploy Chinooks all across the globe in support of RAF and wider-Defence operations and exercises, completing sorties such as this ensures all of our Chinook crews are able to fly and operate the weaponry on-board whenever they are called upon.

Rojoef Manuel

UK Buys 14 Chinook Extended Range Helicopters From US

The British government has signed a contract to procure 14 CH-47F Chinook extended-range military helicopters from the US.

15 March

Europe

Joe Saballa

UK Troops in ‘Major Warfighting Experiment’

Hundreds of British soldiers are currently in the US to participate in a “major warfighting experiment” in preparation for the future of warfare.

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