BFBS Sitrep

The official announcement of hundreds more British troops for Estonia, transitioning to a “mobile anti-armour” force, missed out one key detail. It will end a decade of British tanks on Russia’s doostep, as Challenger 2’s are upgraded to become Challenger 3’s
BFBS Forces News reporter James Wharton explains how he uncovered the story, and why it will mean the burden of Estonia deployments being differently spread among British soldiers.
Troops will get new kit including drones, and precision fires. Former tank commander Justin Crump tells us what matters is the capabilities they have and whether it makes us look weak or strong.
And RUSI Director of Military Sciences, Matthew Savill, explains the job facing British Lieutenant General Tom Bateman who has just taken command of the Multinational Force For Ukraine.

Armed Forces bills come round every five years and you might think they’re just a box ticking exercise to renew the legal basis of our military.
But they’re so much more, affecting the lives, jobs, and safety of servicemen and women, plus their families.
Sitrep explains key measures on military housing, justice, reserve forces, and protection of British bases from drones, currently going through Parliament.
And Professor Michael Clarke gives us his take on what the new Prime Minister, Chancellor, and Defence Secretary might mean for the forces.

The UK has joined other European allies to commit more military capability to NATO’s battle plans, after the US made cuts “with immediate effect”
That’s been revealed to Sitrep by Air Chief Marshal Sir John Stringer, who just weeks into the job of Deputy Supreme Allied Commander had to source replacement capabilities and effectors from across the alliance.
In a wide ranging conversation with Sitrep’s Simon Newton he explains how talks and offers began even before the US confirmed the cuts in May.
And he gives a NATO perspective on the UK’s progress to meeting its alliance commitments - there is “no opt-out” on the 5% defence spending target, but the plans to spend big on uncrewed and deep precision strike are “aligned with NATO’s priorities”

Behind the political theatre $50bn worth of procurement plans were announced at the NATO summit, from artillery shells to airlift and space capabilities.
Sitrep explains who’s buying what and why with the help of the UK’s first Director of Joint Warfare, retired Air Marshal Greg Bagwell.
Professor Michael Clarke assesses whether this will improve Europe’s defences, or simply turn into a game of whack-a-mole filling gaps left by the US.
And the alliance has rebranded its air-policing mission in the Baltics to “air-defence”. What practical difference does that make, and will it require the RAF to contribute more?

The lead military author of the Strategic Defence Review, General Sir Richard Barrons, gives his verdict on the DIP. “Doing the right thing, but not enough not quickly enough”
He tells Kate Gerbeau why one of his biggest concerns is a lack of attention to Defence Medical Services and how that really matters for deterring enemies.
Sian Grzeszczyk-Melbourne explains the impact on the day to day lives of forces personnel and families, including delays to accommodation repairs and the removal of admin roles.
And former MoD insider Matthew Savill breaks down how retirement of old equipment while waiting for new kit will affect the Armed Forces mission to be ready for war.