Your weekly dose of defence news, biased opinions and poorly curated content. You’re welcome.
TOP STORY THIS WEEK
So we’re changing things up as it is Defence Investment Plan Release Week! I assume this is the main thing people are following at the moment, but if you haven’t read it cover to cover: I’ll cover the Top 5 for you. Lets go.
“Alpha”
1. Expansion of nuclear capability
The DIP has outlined a programme to return an airborne nuclear capability to Britain through the F-35A. £64bn has been committed to the nuclear enterprise - swallowed up by planes, subs and new warheads.
A plastic plane
2. GCAP gets proper cash injection
BAE Systems and Friends have pulled a blinder to the tune of £8.6bn. Joking aside, there was serious nervousness when the fighter jet programme fell under Treasury remit and, for now, they haven't dropped the ball.
Recent image of the planned CCV
3. Destroyers out, CCVs in
Controversial one - the writing appears to be on the wall for the Type 83 programme, with the emphasis shifting towards Common Combat Vessels (CCVs) and autonomous systems. On the fence on this one. I agree the era of Trump-class battleships is over, but there are a few question marks over future air defence capability.
Come to daddy
4. Drones, drones, drones
Did somebody say drones? Autonomous systems, AI-enabled targeting, loitering munitions, uncrewed naval vessels - you name it, they've named it. Not a shock, but there is a lot of talk about new systems and £5bn to help drive it.
A lot of people putting an extra shift in at the moment over here
5. Cuts are coming
To help fund the spending spree we're waving goodbye to a load of lift capability, Storm Shadow is being phased out and the MOD is looking to cut a whopping 10% of its civil service workforce. Not great for those who work there, but how we ended up in a situation where we had more MOD civil servants than serving soldiers is beyond me.
WHAT THE MEDIA IS SAYING
BFBS: DIP and NATO
Our friends at BFBS have done a few mins on the DIP and whether it is good or bad for our international standing.
TL;DR
The hot take no one asked for: There are some genuinely logical decisions in there - the reality of budgets means ploughing billions into less agile platforms isn't the way to go. Issues definitely remain around our rapidly dwindling/non-existent lift and amphibious deployment capability. Air defence gaps remain, as do questions about whether this is too little, too late.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Get your mucker to sign up for this…
Bored of asking - they’ll love Despatches and we’ll love them.
Cheers,
Team Forces Assist