UK Defence Forum

A lot of "table turning" in the current Munich Security Conference:

"It was not surprising, in this acrimonious atmosphere, to hear the Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov round on the west for a catalogue of alleged wrongdoing past and present, from the “illegal bombing of Serbia” and “organising a coup in Kiev” to the “aggressive” stance being taken by western politicians."

Even a reorg for our MoD

"British defence secretary Gavin Williamson, who had attacked Russia in a speech at the conference on Friday for its role in a number of conflicts, got a special mention [from Lavrov]. “If you listen to some people like the minister of war – sorry the minister of defence "

ArmChairCivvy wrote:A lot of "table turning" in the [current/ recent, a good month ago] Munich Security Conference:

"It was not surprising, in this acrimonious atmosphere, to hear the Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov round on the west for a catalogue of alleged wrongdoing past and present, from the “illegal bombing of Serbia” ...

Was a bit surprised about that leading in, to the "current sins" but of course today is the 20th anniversary of the start of that campaign, so must have been on the minds of the Russian delegation.

Minister claims

https://questions-statements.parliament ... -25/129754

The British Army is capable of deploying an Armoured Brigade in Estonia (if tasked to do so). Really?

Probably is, the question didn’t ask the gd bits though, in want time frame could it deploy one and how long could it sustain it, and is it fully trained

TSharpe28 wrote: ↑08 Mar 2022, 04:37 Minister claims

https://questions-statements.parliament ... -25/129754

The British Army is capable of deploying an Armoured Brigade in Estonia (if tasked to do so). Really?

Let's not forget, the 3rd Div is still there (ehhm, cuts coming and all that) and most tanks are (ehhm... before they are HETted back for modernisation) in the airconditioned (one and only) storage facility, in Germany.
- so, yes
- the question is: what else (of significance) would be left

ArmChairCivvy wrote: ↑08 Mar 2022, 09:55

TSharpe28 wrote: ↑08 Mar 2022, 04:37 Minister claims

https://questions-statements.parliament ... -25/129754

The British Army is capable of deploying an Armoured Brigade in Estonia (if tasked to do so). Really?

Let's not forget, the 3rd Div is still there (ehhm, cuts coming and all that) and most tanks are (ehhm... before they are HETted back for modernisation) in the airconditioned (one and only) storage facility, in Germany.
- so, yes
- the question is: what else (of significance) would be left

Drones AI supposedly

Does the RA 'watch" drone have that ?
- though I believe it is the JHC (?) that now operates them... the other fixed-wing assets transferred to JHC seem to have the habit of being (rather quickly) jettisoned

ArmChairCivvy wrote: ↑08 Mar 2022, 12:09 Does the RA 'watch" drone have that ?
- though I believe it is the JHC (?) that now operates them... the other fixed-wing assets transferred to JHC seem to have the habit of being (rather quickly) jettisoned

They were becoming expensive loitering munitions in the hands of the RA…..

... wth no munitions carried.

Whereas the loitering munition that supposedly went operational in A-stan to (provide 'mortar level') cover for foot patrols... before it was (quickly ) canned , to avoid further embarresment.

I think the MoD-Politicos interface is not fully working. Everyone can decide for themselves which end is not transmitting/ receiving and which end is 'not processing' at all

ArmChairCivvy wrote: ↑08 Mar 2022, 12:09 Does the RA 'watch" drone have that ?
- though I believe it is the JHC (?) that now operates them... the other fixed-wing assets transferred to JHC seem to have the habit of being (rather quickly) jettisoned

Either a troop of Watchkeepers from 47 RA or a Puma UAV from 32 RA

More Northern Europe than Eastern but thought this was interesting commitment. Not sure how cast iron it would be without a formal Treaty being signed:

https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/britain ... f-invaded/

wargame_insomniac wrote: ↑06 May 2022, 19:20 More Northern Europe than Eastern but thought this was interesting commitment. Not sure how cast iron it would be without a formal Treaty being signed:

https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/britain ... f-invaded/

True - and there maybe a treaty that follows this announcement ? You are right - there has to be something in black and white. But - good to see both countries join NATO to help protect against the Russians through mutual defense.

Interesting - that the "EU" is still no where on this front - totally lost and confused and playing catchup to nowhere it seems.

Given how the UK has led from the front against Russia in the Ukraine - Russia war, the Russians may want to provoke something to force the UK to intervene and then use that as an opportunity to return some "favours" to the UK.

In this scenario - how does Article 5/NATO work if the UK went to the defence of Sweden/Finland and got attacked ? Does the treaty apply or not ?

Boris did go on a whistle-stop tour to Stchlm/ Helsinki, for signings

https://www.joint-forces.com/world-news ... -statement

"The UK will enhance the effectiveness of its permanently based eFP Battlegroup by maintaining Divisional-level assets (namely short range air defence and multiple launch rocket systems) in country and augmenting these with periodic deployments of additional capabilities and enablers, including Apache and Chinook helicopters. Deployment of these capabilities will also present opportunities to exercise these assets under the command of the Estonian Division HQ. The first of these periodic surges will begin in January 2023, when Chinook Helicopters will deploy to Estonia....."

"The UK will also hold the balance of a Brigade at high readiness in the UK, ready to reinforce Estonia and the Baltics at a time of need. To ensure this Brigade is fully interoperable and integrated with Estonia’s National Defence plan, the UK will regularly exercise the reinforcement of UK forces in Estonia up to Brigade-level. The first such exercise is planned for May 2023, when the UK will deploy additional forces to Exercise SPRING STORM, including a Brigade HQ alongside a Battlegroup....."

UK Defence Journal article headline also mentions UK sending Typhoon jets to Estonia although these were not mentioned in the above press release....

A long read.

https://icds.ee/en/british-power-in-bal ... operation/

British troops remain part of KFOR mission in the Kosovo region (Picture: MOD).
Library image of British troops on KFOR mission in the Kosovo region (Picture: MOD).
Army
Two hundred British Army troops to deploy to Kosovo for Nato peacekeeping mission
1st October 2023 at 3:30pm
Around 200 British Army troops will deploy to Kosovo to provide support to Nato peacekeepers amid concerns Serbian's military is gathering on the border following months of tensions.

The 1st Battalion of the Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment is to join the 400-strong British contingent already in the country on an annual exercise, the MOD said.
https://www.forces.net/news/two-hundred ... ng-mission

Lance Bombardier Harry Morrisey, aged 22, originally from Davyhulme in Manchester, has deployed to the Balkans.

Harry currently serves with 32 Regiment Royal Artillery. This is the Army’s regiment which specialises in operating drone systems for target acquisition and surveillance purposes. The drones they use, or to give them their correct title, Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), play a crucial role in today’s battle space and on operations.
https://www.army.mod.uk/news-and-events ... n-the-sky/

Operation Elgin, Kosovo.
Puma RPAS, Engineers, Foxhound etc.