All posts tagged: british army

Britain leads epic NATO war games on border with Russia amid warnings of ‘urgent’ threat | World | News

Britain leads epic NATO war games on border with Russia amid warnings of ‘urgent’ threat | World | News

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The British Army has deployed its latest Apache AH-64E attack helicopters to spearhead the exercise (Image: HUMPHREY NEMAR) British troops are leading thrilling NATO war games on Estonia’s border with Russia as part of the alliance’s largest military drill since the Cold War. The British Army deployed its latest Apache AH-64E attack helicopters to spearhead the exercise which also saw 180 soldiers take part in a ground assault this morning. It is the first time the newly serviced Apache has been involved in a NATO exercise. The live battlefield simulation comes as tensions flare between the alliance and Russia after undeclared Kremlin spies were identified in the UK, Estonia, Poland and Germany. Don’t miss… Russia launches ‘fresh invasion’ as ‘saboteurs’ storm over Ukraine’s border [LATEST] Vladimir Putin lashes out at ‘arrogant’ West in horror warning as WW3 fears soar [LATEST] Speaking after the exercise, Brigadier Mark Berry, Commander of 16 Air Assault Brigade Combat Team, said: “The threat Russia poses is very urgent. I’m going to second guess what may or may not happen but …

Army reverses ban on beards for first time in 100 years with King Charles’s blessing | UK | News

Army reverses ban on beards for first time in 100 years with King Charles’s blessing | UK | News

Published by skeptic

King Charles has signed off a decision to overturn the British Army‘s 100-year ban on facial hair. The move comes after a survey of serving and reservist troops demonstrated an “overwhelming” majority felt soldiers should be allowed beards. Head of the Army, General Sir Patrick Sanders, took the decision to overturn the policy, announcing the change would come into effect immediately. According to the new policy, only a “full set beard” is allowed, with lengths between 2.5mm and 25.5mm. Under the rules, exaggerated colours won’t be permitted, hair will have to be trimmed from the neck and cheekbones and there can’t be any patchy or uneven growth. In a video explaining the new rules, Warrant Officer Class 1 Paul Carney told soldiers their beards will be subject to review and must be kept neat. He said: “Our standards can’t drop. The Army has a reputation for professionalism and a smart turnout, with our allies and with the British public. “We must maintain that reputation by continuing to look our best.” The army’s former stance contrasted …

NATO insider issues dire warning on ‘extraordinary complacency’ | World | News

NATO insider issues dire warning on ‘extraordinary complacency’ | World | News

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Rishi Sunak has been guilty of “extraordinary complacency” when it comes to defence since the start of the war in Ukraine, Britain’s ex-Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe has claimed. General Sir Richard Shirreff believes the world is now “exceptionally dangerous” and is “only going to get more dangerous” as a result of the increasing belligerence of countries such Russia, China and Iran. But the British Army veteran, who spent 37 years in the armed forces, accused the Government of “resting on its laurels” In an interview with speakers agency Champions Speakers, he explained: “Every year, the challenges ramp up. “The UK is one of very few European countries where the defence budget has not gone up in any shape or size since the start of the Ukraine War.” Germany will spend more than two percent of GDP on defence this year and will probably increase that next year, Poland was now spending four percent of GDP on defence and the three Baltic states – Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania – were also increasing spending, along with …

Three in four British army hopefuls quit over waiting list – despite recruitment crisis | UK | News

Three in four British army hopefuls quit over waiting list – despite recruitment crisis | UK | News

Published by skeptic

Three in four people who apply to serve in the British Army give up on the process due to the months-long waiting list. Since 2014, more than 800,000 applicants out of the total 1.1 million withdrew their army application before being given the chance to serve. This is despite a recruitment crisis at the heart of the UK’s armed forces. Last month, the Commons defence committee said personnel were leaving faster than they could be recruited. MPs warned that Britain would not be ready for a “high-intensity” war unless shortages in personnel and equipment are rapidly addressed. In their report, MPs said the “offer” to recruits had to be improved. The shocking treatment of applicants saw more than 100,000 wait six months for a response before giving up over the last ten years Army sources claimed that the average time between expressing interest and commencing training was 5.3 months. Last year alone, almost 74,000 people who applied to join the army, RAF or navy withdrew There are mounting concerns that the number of personnel could …

Russians hack German military call revealing secret ‘British are on the ground’ in Ukraine | UK | News

Russians hack German military call revealing secret ‘British are on the ground’ in Ukraine | UK | News

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Loose-lipped Luftwaffe chiefs have sparked dismay after they revealed to Russian intelligence secret military operations involving “British people on the ground” in Ukraine. It’s emerged German Air Force top brass used a standard unencrypted video conference platform to discuss highly sensitive operations. Described as a “very serious” breach by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, the slip is likely to also dismay British military commanders and NATO allies. German lawmakers have been debating the deployment of 100 of their stock of 600 Taurus cruise missiles to bolster the UK Storm Shadow system, which is already being used by Ukraine against Russian forces. Lieutenant General Ingo Gerhartz held a 38-minute-long video meeting with three other officers discussing sending the German weapons. During the call, Lt Gen Gerhartz said it was not known why Chancellor Scholz was “blocking the dispatch of the missiles”. During the call the Lt Gen Gerhartz said it was not known why Chancellor Scholz was “blocking the dispatch of the missiles”. He continued: “If we’re asked about delivery methods. I know how the British do …

Labour ‘baulks at defending our country’, Grant Shapps says, ‘and it always will’ | Politics | News

Labour ‘baulks at defending our country’, Grant Shapps says, ‘and it always will’ | Politics | News

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Grant Shapps has warned that Labour “baulks at defending our country” despite rising threats from abroad. The Defence Secretary said Keir Starmer’s party supported Jeremy Corbyn becoming Prime Minister, adding that he is a man who “despises the military” and “toyed with scrapping NATO”. Mr Shapps insisted the Conservatives are “well on the way” to increasing defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP. But he ramped up the attack on Labour as Shadow Defence Secretary John Healey said his party would introduce a new military strategic headquarters and appoint a national armaments director to overhaul military procurement as part of plans to improve Britain’s armed forces. The Defence Secretary told the Daily Express: “The reality is that like everything else Labour promises, their defence ideas are shrouded in doubt. “Because Labour baulks at defending our country – it always has and it always will. “Remember this is a party led by Sir Keir Starmer, who wanted to put Jeremy Corbyn in power – a man who despises the military, who wanted to abolish the …

UK troops deployed on new mission against Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Middle East | UK | News

UK troops deployed on new mission against Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Middle East | UK | News

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British Army soldiers are on a secret mission in the Middle East to protect people against deadly attacks from thhe Iran-backed Houthi rebels. The troops are from the Royal Artillery Regiment and are working 24 hours a day to prevent drone attacks from the Yemen-based forces. The Mirror reports that missile experts are working as part of Operation Crossways amid ongoing worry over a large-scale conflict starting in the region. The Houthis are fighting Saudi Arabia and have attacked ships from the West after announcing Israel as their enemy. The UK has sent navy ships to the Red Sea to guard against Houthi missile and drone strikes on boats. But sending regular soldiers to shoot down Houthi missiles was kept quiet, found only on the 12 Regiment Royal Artillery website, and is “highly sensitive,” sources say. Operation Crossways was at first just a training mission in Saudi Arabia but got attention for helping local forces who were said to be committing atrocities in Yemen. Now, with the Houthis planning attacks on Saudi cities, threatening Israel, …

British Army diversity warning as ex-officer fears UK military is on ‘dangerous road’ | Politics | News

British Army diversity warning as ex-officer fears UK military is on ‘dangerous road’ | Politics | News

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The British Army has been warned by a former officer it is playing a dangerous game if it starts selecting candidates according to diversity rather than ability. Lt Col Stuart Crawford was commenting after Defence Secretary Grant Shapps suggested “woke extremists” were jeopardising the military, which he claimed needed a “proper shake-up” in order that it could focus on “being a lethal fighting force”. The former member of the 4th Royal Tank Regiment said: “I think that diversity rather than weakening the armed forces actually enhances them, because those from different ethnic backgrounds bring different experiences and different expertise, and that is very much a good thing. “What I think we’ve got to be careful of is not going into the place where we actually allocate quotas to people from different ethnic backgrounds. “Well, first of all, it’s illegal. And secondly, it’s not recruiting on merit. And I think merit has always got to be the final arbiter.” Asked whether the armed forces were placing diversity ahead of competence Mr Crawford told GB News: “I …

Shapps orders MoD diversity policy review as Army ‘to ease security checks’

Shapps orders MoD diversity policy review as Army ‘to ease security checks’

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The Housing Secretary told Sky’s Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips: “Grant Shapps, the Defence Secretary, has been looking at the specific policies we have in the Ministry of Defence in order to ensure that we strike the right balance, that we provide protection for individuals in our armed forces, that we make sure that we draw all the talent available in this country to ensure that we have a strong and diverse military, but also to make sure that these policies operate in such a way as to ensure that political correctness, or some of the more – what’s the word? – ‘out there’ approaches that people take towards diversity, equity and inclusion don’t impair our ability to defend our borders and to make sure that this country is secure.” Source link