Thin Pinstriped Line

The Secretary of State for Defence has provided an update to the House of Commons on progress towards the Modernising Defence Programme review (MDP), setting out its progress to date. To say that this statement has left some commentators underwhelmed is an understatement – the response landed with a resounding ‘is that it?’ on social media. The MDP is the successor review to the National Security Capability Review (NCSR) that was launched last July, and was intended to function as an update on the 2015 Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) outside the normal five yearly cycles of defence reviews. Reasons for the review being conducted differ depending on who you listen to – some will claim it was a timely and reasonable update chapter, intended to ensure that UK national security policy was well placed to address the post Brexit referendum security dynamic. Others will suggest it was due to the money running out, and defence procurement writing cheques its ego coul...

A sure sign that it is the summer silly season is when stories start to get noticed that perhaps aren’t massively newsworthy, but are quite funny. One such example is the news and video footage emerging of soldiers trying to remove a dildo superglued to the Regimental HQ building of the Kings Royal Hussars, after the contractors had said it would take up to 40 days to remove (link to the Sun article HERE ). Rumour has it that it was a raid conducted by the Royal Tank Regiment, their long term   friendly rivals. This is a great story for several reasons. Firstly it demonstrates that morale is alive and well in the armed forces. This sort of ‘jolly jape’ may seem a bit childish, but plays a vital role in informal bonding of teams, keeping people smiling and using their initiative. Yes, doubtless some people will mutter about the health and safety implications of going up a tower with a sex toy and superglue, probably without a ladder, but frankly the job of the armed forces is ...

The last day of the Parliamentary ‘summer term’ is traditionally a day to bury announcements that the Government of the day would like to be forgotten, or at the very least, not too closely scrutinised. Last year saw the slipping out of a statement of the terribly minor news that there was to be a National Security Review (which became the MDP which in turn is becoming another SDSR and which is now approaching the age when the MOD 5 th Floor is probably thinking about which school to put the Reviews name down for). 24 th July 2018 saw a similar raft of announcements, ranging from the positive to the eyebrow raising. Positive news included the announcement of the formation of a joint Qatari/RAF squadron to train up the Qatari airforce on Typhoon ahead of its introduction into service. Less positive announcements included confirmation that the Type 31e programme contract is delayed – a significant piece of news that Humphrey will have to reflect on and write about in due co...

The Mail on Sunday has delivered a stunning journalistic expose, a mere 10 or so years after the deal was first signed and publicly announced and reported on by the National Audit Office too, highlighting that of the 14 RAF A330 Voyager aircraft, at least three have never been used by the RAF, and that the MOD has apparently wasted £10.5bn on this saga. What a disaster  (link is  HERE ). The RAF strategic air transport fleet has long been one of the most important force multipliers going for the UK. In very basic terms the force divides into two main bits – the tactical airlift capability, traditionally filled by the C130 ‘Hercules’ force (that in one variant or another has now served for more than 50 years – or over half the entire existence of the RAF), and the newer A400M ‘Atlas’ transporter. Both of these airframes are used in a variety of predominantly tactical roles including moving cargo and troops short distances and providing support to UK military operations. T...

The Secretary of State for Defence has announced that the eligibility criteria for the OP SHADER medal has been extended to include personnel outside of the ‘conventional area of operations’ including Reaper pilots (link HERE ). The decision to extend the award to personnel not directly based in theatre has caused some discussion on the internet, including by many who feel that the ‘risk and rigour’ criteria of supporting operations from home is minimal. Medal eligibility criteria is an intensely controversial topic, guaranteed to arouse strong emotions in anyone who has served. The UK medal system is divided into three main categories – distinguished conduct & gallantry medals (such as the Victoria Cross), Campaign medals (such as the Operational Service Medal) and Jubilee / long service medals. Every medal has different qualifying criteria, ranging from acts of supreme valour through to serving for a specified period. The eligibility for these awards varies depending on...