MPs concerned over Nimrod decision

MPs have voiced "serious concern" about the risk to national security caused by the Government's decision to scrap the next generation of Nimrod maritime surveillance aircraft.

The Nimrod MRA4 was cancelled in the 2010 Strategic Defence and Security Review as ministers attempted to fill a £38 billion black hole in the Ministry of Defence (MoD) budget. The project, designed to replace the Nimrod MR2, was already years late and hundreds of millions of pounds over budget.

A report published by the House of Commons Defence Committee said that the decision has created a "capability gap" in maritime surveillance, leaving the UK dependent on other nations for support.

Although the MoD's own capability investigations have concluded that a maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) is the solution to the UK's requirements over the next 20 years, there will be no decision on whether to commission such a plane until the next SDSR in 2015, said the report.

The cross-party committee warned that the situation was compounded by the loss of the intelligence-gathering capabilities of four Broadsword-class Type 22 frigates and is likely to get worse with the planned withdrawal of Sea King helicopters in 2016.

Committee chairman James Arbuthnot said: "We are unconvinced that the MoD has the capacity to respond to any escalation in the risks that may appear beyond the UK's shores.Furthermore we believe the risk is likely to worsen in the medium term as further maritime surveillance capabilities are withdrawn or not yet filled."

The committee accused the MoD of sending "mixed messages" over the need for a maritime patrol aircraft like the Nimrod.

"On one hand it says that there is no requirement for such an aircraft and that it is not funded or in the programme but on the other hand it acknowledges that its absence is a risk and something may need to be done," said the report.

Armed forces minister Andrew Robathan said: "UK maritime surveillance is being delivered by a wide range of military assets, including our surface ships, submarines, Merlin and Sea King helicopters, Sentry and Hercules aircraft and we are also co-operating with our allies.

"Tough decisions had to be taken to get the MoD's books back into balance and cancelling the Nimrod MRA4 programme was the right decision."

Indian Navy eyes expansion with three more Russian-made Krivak IV class frigates

Indian Navy's quest to emerge as a global and regional sea power will receive a major boost with New Delhi and Moscow in negotiations to purchase three additional frigates from Russia.

Military partnership has been the cornerstone of Indo-Russian ties and the Indian Navy has been using Russian-made frigates. It has been learnt that India and Russia have already held preliminary discussions for the three additional frigates that the navy would purchase from Moscow. The talks on this issue will gain momentum when Russian deputy prime minister Dmitry Rogozin arrives in Delhi on Tuesday with a jumbo delegation.

"Discussions are at a preliminary stage and it will get concretised in the coming days," said an official speaking on condition of anonymity, refusing to divulge details of the type of frigate and its features at this stage of negotiations.

However, it is understood that these frigates could belong to Krivak IV class of Russia. A Krivak IV class frigate is equipped with a 100-mm gun, a Shtil medium-range air defence system, Club-N supersonic antiship missiles, two Kashtan point defence systems, two twin 533-mm torpedo launchers, and an anti-submarine warfare helicopter.

Russia, it is understood, made the offer to supply three additional frigates. India, which is constructing seven indigenous frigates at Mumbai and Kolkata, is mulling over the proposal.

The issue was discussed last April when the two sides agreed on a roadmap of doables in several areas of military cooperation. This roadmap would be deliberated in details between Rogozin and his Indian interlocutors, officials hinted. His delegation includes Alexander V. Fomin, director of federal service for military and technical cooperation and several key Russian defence industry bosses. The discussions would also focus on supply of spare parts for Russian supplied aircraft to the Indian Air Force (IAF), development of Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft and much delayed aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov.

This will be Rogozin's, a close aide of President Vladimir Putin, maiden visit to India. Rogozin who is the co-chairman of Russian-Indian Intergovernmental Commission on military-technical, trade, economic, scientific and cultural cooperation will hold talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, external affairs minister S.M. Krishna and defence minister A.K. Antony besides commerce and industry minister Anand Sharma. Russia is taking part in 20 tenders in India, with which it has a military-technical cooperation agreement until 2020.

Last month India received - INS Teg - the first of three the Stealth Talwar frigates it ordered from Russia six years ago. The 3,970 tonne P-17 project Talwar's are 124.5 meter (386 feet) long, carry 24 anti-aircraft and eight anti-ship missiles, four torpedo tubes, as well as a 100mm gun, short range antimissile guns, a helicopter, and anti-submarine weapons (depth charges and missiles).

The ship has a complete set of electronics gear. The crew strength is 180. All of the Talwars are being equipped with eight BrahMos anti-ship missile (range of 290 km) each. The Talwar is a modified version of the Russian Krivak III class.

First Wildcat handed over at Farnborough

The first of 62 Wildcat helicopters for use by the British Army and Royal Navy has been handed over to the Ministry of Defence at the Farnborough International Air Show.

The Ministry of Defence is buying 34 Wildcats for the army and 28 of the maritime attack variant for the Royal Navy to replace existing Lynxes operating by the Army Air Corps and Fleet Air Arm.

Defence Secretary Philip Hammond received the first helicopter from manufacturer AgustaWestland and confirmed that Somerset-based compay has been awarded a £250m in-service training and support contract to be delivered via a specialist training centre at RNAS Yeovilton.

The contract, which will provide flight simulators and other training support, will sustain some 500 jobs.

The army Wildcats, which will largely be used for reconnaissance, are not expected to enter service until 2014, while the Royal Navy's maritime attack variant helicopters will enter service in 2015.

Both variants will carry a general purpose machine gun (GPMG) and heavy machine gun, while the maritime attack helicopter will also carry Sting Ray Torpedoes.

"Wildcat represents a considerable advance over the current Lynx helicopters, bringing greatly improved performance and capability," said Defence Secretary Philip Hammond. "The contract to provide training and support will keep them flying wherever they are needed.

"These helicopters will be a key part of the future equipment programme for the Armed Forces that will see £160bn spent over the next ten years. By balancing the budget, we can deliver the airframes and the millions of pounds of support they require."

Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Peter Wall said: "This is an excellent helicopter, which is very important to the Army Air Corps. We will be seeking to get it fully operational as soon as possible."

First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope said: "With state of the art sensors, equipment and weapons, it will be an outstanding asset that will maintain Royal Naval units at the cutting edge of worldwide maritime operations."

How UK Armed Forces Veterans are treated by the UK Government

'It's disgusting': Anger as MoD lands veterans with £700,000 bill for ceremony to unveil Bomber Command Memorial

Bomber Command charity has raised £6.5m for monument in London's Green Park

But government won't stump up remaining funds to stage ceremony on Thursday

War veterans face paying up to £700,000 out of their own pockets to unveil the Bomber Command Memorial because the Government is refusing to stump up the cash.

The pensioners, who are trustees of the Bomber Command Association, will be personally liable for the cost of staging the event if they fail to raise the money through donations.

'Disgusting': The RAF Bomber Command Memorial under construction in Green park. War veterans have been told they face a £700,000 bill for staging its official opening after the MoD sais it would not cover the costs

'Disgusting': The RAF Bomber Command Memorial under construction in Green park. War veterans have been told they face a £700,000 bill for staging its official opening after the MoD sais it would not cover the costs

However they still have to find £700,000 to provide seating and security for the event on Thursday, which will be attended by ten members of the Royal Family including the Queen.

The monument, in London’s Green Park, will commemorate the 55,573 Bomber Command airmen who died in the Second World War.

It has already proved controversial after it emerged that more than 100 veterans could miss out on the unveiling because of a lack of space.

Earlier this month, David Cameron gave the trustees hope when he told MPs the Government had ‘the ability to intervene’ if funds were not raised in time.

But now the trustees, who include four Bomber Command veterans, have been told the Ministry of Defence will not help.

Jim Dooley, chairman of the memorial’s fund-raising committee, said the veterans were still £500,000 short.

‘The MoD response to this has been disgusting,’ he said. ‘The unveiling has become a state occasion, yet we are getting no help from the state.’

Trustee and veteran Harry Irons, 88, from Romford, Essex, said: ‘If we can’t get the £500,000 I will probably lose my house. I haven’t got much else.’

The memorial was built with private donations, but the bill for its unveiling has risen because the 6,500 widows and veterans face security checks before they can enter Green Park.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport said it would ‘make a contribution’ but would not say how much.

The MoD said it was not allowed to give to charities, despite records showing it has donated to 28 charitable bodies in the past five years.

A Government spokesman said: 'The Government does not usually support opening ceremonies for public memorials.

'However, given the unique circumstances of the Bomber Command Memorial, an exception has been made in this case.

'The Government will make a contribution towards the opening ceremony to help cover the additional costs of seating and security for the many veterans wish to see the unveiling of this important memorial.

'This is in addition to £1million that the Government has already contributed towards the VAT costs of the construction of the memorial.'

Andrew Robathan, Minister for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans, said: 'The MoD has worked very closely with the excellent people of the Bomber Command Association to ensure a successful unveiling of the memorial.

'We are delighted that a significant number of RAF personnel will be involved in the event, providing a flypast by five Tornado aircraft and a Lancaster Bomber from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight; ceremonial elements by The Queens’ Colour Squadron, University Air Squadrons and the Central Band of the RAF; along with ushers, hosts and catering services.'

To make a donation, go to www.bombercommand.com