Thin Pinstriped Line

  Should the UK ‘buy off the shelf’ and simply purchase American defence equipment? Apparently they are cheaper, better, more reliable and would be the solution to all the UK’s many defence woes, particularly compared to collaboration with European partners. Why not just buy American? This view, set out in an article in the Daily Telegraph is doubtless music to the ears of the US defence industry, but is also one that would, if implemented, do untold damage to the UK and its national interests and significantly undermine British sovereignty. The arguments for buying American are on the face of it reasonable. The US produces good quality equipment able to meet many UK defence needs. There is a strong supply chain in place, ensuring that there are plenty of spare parts in the system to draw on when needed, and at cheaper cost due to bulk buying. The equipment is usually designed to be interoperable with NATO partners, so it can be integrated to work alongside allies and with exist...

October 21 st marks Trafalgar Day, the 218 th anniversary of the most influential of all British naval battles. A titanic clash between the outnumbered fleet of the United Kingdom against the French and Spanish Empires in a battle for maritime supremacy that would determine the course of the Napoleonic wars. In a pivotal victory the Royal Navy, led by Admiral Nelson adopted superior tactics to cause immense destruction, capturing or sinking 22 of the enemy vessels and killing over 4,000 sailors for the loss of barely 460 of their own. Sadly, Nelson was killed in the clash, but his vision and leadership ensured that Britain triumphed, opening the door to over a century of global maritime supremacy. It remains one of the most influential naval victories in history and is rightly remembered and celebrated to this day by the Royal Navy. There is an argument, which the author has sympathy with, that the RN has perhaps idolised Nelson too much. That while he did much good, the adoration ...

  The shocking attacks by Hamas terrorists in Israel on the weekend 0f 7/8 October were a truly appalling, barbaric atrocity that has rightly been condemned by all civilised nations. As Israel contemplates its military options and the immensely complex game of geopolitical chess that is the Middle East continues to be played, other nations look on with concern. It is against this backdrop that the UK has taken the decision to deploy elements of the armed forces to provide support in the region. The package,  announced formally , on 13 October will involve two Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels, Royal Navy helicopters, Royal Marines and Royal Air Force P8 aircraft operating out of Cyprus. In addition, wider military planning teams will be operational across the region to support British interests. This is a not inconsiderable deployment, particularly at short notice and it highlights a significant number of impressive facets of UK military capability. The two RFA vessels (ARGUS an...