UK - ‘MoD support growing for Trident alternative’

The coalition government has been accused of putting national security at risk with its two opposing positions on Trident renewal.

The Lib Dems are either being “ill-informed” about the need for a replacement fleet of nuclear missile-carrying submarines or are trying to “pull the wool” over people’s eyes, Barrow MP John Woodcock has claimed.

He made the comments as Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg told the party conference in Brighton of his desire for an alternative to Trident nuclear submarines and promised to play “hardball” with David Cameron over the Successor programme. He also used Trident as an example of Conservative policies blocked by the Lib Dems, including stopping the nuclear deterrent replacement being approved in this parliament.

In response to Mr Clegg’s announcement, Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron said he believed there is growing support within the Ministry of Defence for an

alternative to a direct Trident replacement. He added: “We recognise the submarines need to be built in Barrow, but not nuclear ones.

“It will be better for the Cumbrian economy if we want the full range of submarines, not just those with nuclear missiles.”

The plan preferred by the Lib Dems would see nuclear warheads fired from existing Astute submarines, eliminating the need to replace the Vanguard-class nuclear boats. A final decision is not expected until after the next general election, but the initial gate stages of preparatory work have already been signed off, resulting in more jobs being created at BAE Systems’ Barrow shipyard.

Mr Woodcock said: “I have worked well with Tim Farron on a number of issues, but on renewal of the deterrent the Lib Dems are either cosmically ill-informed or seeking to pull the wool over the eyes of many thousands whose jobs depend on a thriving shipyard.

“Unfortunately, this hopeless muddle reflects the wider risk to jobs and national security caused by the coalition facing both ways on renewal.

“It is right for any government to examine credible new evidence on the deterrent, but studies produced so far have suggested that the Lib Dem alternative of nuclear-tipped cruise missiles on Astute-class submarines could be more expensive, less effective, and more likely to trigger a nuclear conflict – the opposite of the myth peddled by the Liberal Democrats.”

Chief secretary to the treasury Danny Alexander has been put in charge of the government review of alternatives to the Trident nuclear missile system after the only Lib Dem in the Ministry of Defence was moved in the government reshuffle.

The study is being carried out to appease Lib Dem coalition partners who are opposed to a like-for-like replacement of Trident.

Major milestone achieved as Eurocopter hands over its first Puma Mk2 aircraft to the UK Ministry of Defence

The upgrade of UK Ministry of Defence Puma aircraft took a further major step forward yesterday when Eurocopter handed over its first Puma Mk2 aircraft to MOD. This upgrade will significantly enhance the aircraft’s performance, mission capability and safety. The first modified aircraft will fly from Oxford into QinetiQ’s Boscombe Down facility where it will support trials.

Eurocopter’s first internal qualification of the Puma Mk2 was achieved on July 6, concluding the first phase of the planned developments, with further enhancements to its mission capabilities planned over the coming months. To date, Eurocopter has completed the initial upgrade process on three Puma helicopters, all of which are now involved in flight testing. The first of these will be delivered to QinetiQ’s Boscombe Down military test and evaluation centre for further trials.

The Puma Mk2 helicopters represent a key element of the UK’s medium battlefield support helicopter capability, and will be deployed for tactical troop and load movement by day and night. The upgrade will extend the operational lifetime and significantly upgrade the capabilities of 24 of the Royal Air Force Puma helicopters. The new Puma is an ideal medium lift platform for urban operations and its ability to be rapidly deployed by C17 make it the ideal platform for fast moving contingent combat and humanitarian operations.

“This delivery milestone marks another important accomplishment in a programme that is vital for the UK’s combat capabilities, and it results equally from Eurocopter’s commitment to its success and our close cooperation with the Ministry of Defence,” said Markus Steinke, the Managing Director of Eurocopter UK. “Once upgraded, Puma Mk2s will be serving the Royal Air Force until 2025, offering exceptional performance and capability.”

Enhancements for the Puma Mk2 include major performance and safety improvements with the use of new Makila 1A1 turboshaft engines; the integration of a full glass cockpit incorporating modern avionics and a flight management system; the implementation of a digital automatic flight control system; as well as the incorporation of a secure communications suite, new defensive aids and ballistic protection for crew and passengers. Additionally, the helicopter’s greater onboard fuel capacity and lower fuel consumption will increase the Puma Mk2’s operating range. The Puma will be able to carry twice the payload over three times the range than its predecessor even in the most demanding of environmental conditions.

About Eurocopter

Established in 1992, the Franco-German-Spanish Eurocopter Group is a division of EADS, a world leader in aerospace and defense-related services. The Eurocopter Group employs approximately 20,000 people. In 2011, Eurocopter confirmed its position as the world’s number one helicopter manufacturer with a turnover of 5.4 billion Euros, orders for 457 new helicopters and a 43 percent market share in the civil and parapublic sectors. Overall, the Group’s helicopters account for 33 percent of the worldwide civil and parapublic fleet. Eurocopter’s strong international presence is ensured by its subsidiaries and participations in 21 countries.

Eurocopter’s worldwide network of service centers, training facilities, distributors and certified agents supports some 2,900 customers. There are currently more than 11,300 Eurocopter helicopters in service in 149 countries. Eurocopter offers the most comprehensive civil and military helicopter range in the world and is fully committed to safety as the most important aspect of its business.

About Eurocopter UK Ltd.

Eurocopter UK Ltd. is headquartered in Oxford, with additional bases in Dublin (Ireland), Belfast (Northern Ireland), Hawarden (Wales) and Aberdeen (Scotland). Through this fully-owned subsidiary, Eurocopter enjoys a reputation for innovation, high quality and a strong customer service ethos. Having achieved an exemplary performance in the customization, distribution and support of Eurocopter products for civil and public service customers during the past 30 years, Eurocopter UK also provides state-of-the-art services to the oil & gas Industry and the UK armed forces. The Ministry of Defence relies on 100 Eurocopter helicopters for transport, training and Special Forces missions, and has awarded the Puma Upgrade Programme to Eurocopter UK Ltd. With over 450 helicopters in service in the British Isles, Eurocopter is the leading supplier of turbine helicopters in the United Kingdom.

Nimrod scrapping netted MoD £500,000

The scrapping of nine Nimrod Maritime Reconnaissance Aircraft has generated £500,000 for the Ministry of Defence, it has been revealed.

In a written parliamentary answer to MP Angus Robertson, Defence Equipment Support and Technology Minister Peter Luff said that the MoD paid £500,000 to have the aircraft scrapped and made £1m from their scrap value.

"The Nimrod MRA4 airframes were dismantled on the Ministry of Defence's behalf by Metal and Waste Recycling Ltd at a cost of around £500,000," said Luff. "As part of the contractual arrangements with the company, the MoD received receipts from the sale of the dismantled airframes to the value of just over £1 million.

"We expect to save around £2bn by not bringing Nimrod MRA4 into service."

The cancellation of the £3.6bn project proved controversial when it was announced as part of the Strategic Defence and Security Review in October 2010, with senior defence figures admitting that the move created risks by removing a capability almost entirely. Maritime surveillance in future would be carried out by a "layered" combination of other existing assets, they insisted.

The £3.6bn of expenditure written off by the MoD when the aircraft were scrapped represented more than half of the £6.3bn total expenditure written off as a result of the SDSR's cuts.

Scottish National Party MP Robertson later said the "paltry" scrap value recouped by the MoD added "insult to injury".

"It has become obvious that the decision to scrap Nimrod was based on cost-cutting rather than strategic needs," he told The Scotsman. "Whether it is national events like the Olympics or everyday missions such as maritime reconnaissance and rescues, there is now a mammoth capability gap and lives are at risk."

An MoD spokesman told the newspaper: "Long overdue and over cost, only one Nimrod aircraft had been delivered. Significant technical difficulties remained and they had not passed airworthiness tests."

"Tough decisions like these have enabled the MoD to balance the budget for the first time in decades and invest in new capabilities to ensure our forces are well equipped for the future."

The House of Commons Defence Select Committee is currently holding a review of the UK's Maritime Surveillance capability and is due to report later this year.