Your weekly dose of defence news, biased opinions and poorly curated content. You’re welcome.
TOP STORY THIS WEEK
Treasury takes over Tempest programme
Where dreams are made
“Out of the frying pan and into the fire.”
Sorry, got distracted there. Literally no idea why I said that.
What’s the story then? Well, the UK Treasury is set to take direct control of the £12bn+ Tempest/GCAP programme after the MOD went on a mad one with its budgets. The accountants are now looking for £6 billion in savings before the 30 June deadline.
Haha?
IN OTHER NEWS
Starmer and Healey face off over £28bn
You see this hand here…
Ol’ slopey shoulders Starmer has got shirty with Defence Secretary John Healey, who is himself embroiled in a stand-off with Rachel from Accounts over the £28 billion shortfall the MOD needs to cover costs over the next few years.
This is apparently the reason behind the massive delay to the Strategic Defence Review.
Sort it kids.
Australia not impressed with AUKUS
Some of the more recent AUKUS subs on show
The $368 billion AUKUS pact faces a five-month public enquiry as the Aussies start asking some hard (and totally) valid questions.
Five years in, plans for new subs have been binned, with Australia now set to buy three second-hand American subs at a pretty monstrous price - weirdly the people down under aren’t blown away by the idea.
IN THE MEDIA
CappyArmy: supply chain nerd out
Interesting vid on how logistics really is key to winning (or losing) battles. This is 20mins. Watch in the bath or something.
THIS WEEK IN HISTORY
Big events from the past, covered in brief and probably inaccurately.
6th June 1944: D-Day
On 6th June 1944, Allied forces launched Operation Overlord, landing roughly 156,000 troops across a heavily fortified 50-mile stretch of Normandy. It remains the largest amphibious invasion in human history.
Fun fact, it was supposed to be 5th June but the weather was crap.
JOB SPOTLIGHT
Changing things up? This is where we briefly look at career options from across the civvy world - everything goes here so expect some absolute drivel. Sometimes Forces Assist can help place you, sometimes we can’t. Either way we can offer advice.
Peterborough you’ve got jobs!
Right, Peterborough, we’re coming for you.Gas engineers - starting north of £32k with a decent benefits package. Can take newly qualified ACS peeps. Reply to this email or fill in this form (just ignore the driving question and put your gas quals in the notes). As always, if you give us the name of someone who is looking for work and they pass probation, we’ll send you £500 no questions asked.
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