BFBS Radio Sitrep

How has Army recruitment been impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic?  Sitrep speaks to the Assistant Director of Army Recruiting.

What lies behind North Korea’s decision to showcase its latest missile?

The RAF has welcomed the arrival of the first of the P-8A Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft to its permanent home at RAF Lossiemouth.

And the campaign to honour armed forces personnel from the Caribbean with a new monument at the National Memorial Arboretum

 

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A new report from the IISS think tank says the Russian armed forces are significantly smaller than their Soviet predecessors, but better equipped with more professional personnel. 

We mark thirty years since women were first deployed operationally at sea with the Royal Navy... 

And why the Gurkhas are doing ‘wet gap crossing’ training in Northumberland.

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The Chief of the Defence Staff, General Sir Nicholas Carter, has set out the 'Integrated Operating Concept' this week. It's been described as the most significant shift in military thinking in generations. What is it and what impact could it have on the armed forces in the future?

The new carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth, is to join a major NATO exercise from this weekend. We hear from a former Naval commander.

What’s the best way to improve NHS services for serving armed forces families and veterans?

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Lord Sedwill, the former National Security Adviser and Cabinet Secretary who stepped down this month, talks exclusively to Sitrep about chemical and biological weapons, the changing nature of threats and the Integrated Defence Review.

Why a new institute has been set up to study air and space power issues in defence and security and - out mortar training with the Duke of Lancaster’s regiment.

 

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NATO’s Assistant Secretary-General talks exclusively to Sitrep about the possible long-term extreme threats to the UK and other NATO members

And remembering the Battle of Britain 80 years on - we hear about the letters written by a Pilot Officer about the battle to his wife in occupied France.

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Where are the Cyber threats to the UK coming from? The former head of the National Cyber Security Centre, Ciaran Martin, on Russia, China and the impact of Covid 19.

More than two thousand US troops are to leave Iraq but is it the right time to draw down forces? We speak to the Chair of the Commons Defence Committee Tobias Ellwood.

More than a million British soldiers have lived and served in Germany over the past 75 years. A new exhibition at the National Army Museum opens on Saturday looking at this unique deployment . 

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Germany says that Novichok has been used on a rival of President Putin - how will the international community react this time?

What’s behind the recent tensions between Greece and Turkey in the Eastern Mediterranean?

Plus, Sitrep looks at how the Gurkhas are changing their recruitment process. We join the Royal Marines on training exercises and how some of Britain’s rarest reptiles are thriving in a military fuel site.

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We look at the options facing the government as part of their Integrated Review of foreign policy, defence and security. Lord Dannatt, former Chief of the General Staff, tells us that the government must find more money for defence. 

We ask what will be the impact of the recent coup in the West African state of Mali on plans to send 250 British troops there as part of a UN mission?  

 

As protests continue in Belarus, Sitrep looks at the wider implications.

We hear from the man who was Britain’s ambassador in Minsk when Lukashenko took power 26 years ago on what’s likely to happen next.

In the United States, the race for the White House is hotting up, with Joe Biden setting out his pitch to American voters.

We ask a former head of the Royal United Services Institute what a Biden victory could mean for US allies, and find out why there’s talk about the military potentially being asked to remove Donald Trump from the White House if he loses, and then refuses to leave.

A former head of GCHQ joins us to discuss the idea of “principled spying” — is it even possible?

And we find out why Chelsea Football Club has adopted an historic Lancaster bomber.

Plus we report from Biggin Hill airfield, 80 years after it played a key role in the “hardest day” of the Battle of Britain.

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75 years on - what’s the legacy of VJ day?

How should the government review the UK’s security and defence needs?

We hear what military personnel are doing to help after the devastating explosion in Beirut

And why the script of the film 'The Bridge on the River Kwai' caused concern in the War Office.

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The Government offers aid and help from military personnel after the massive explosion in Beirut.

What impact is the Covid 19 pandemic having on food supplies around the world? 

Sitrep has a special report on training with the UK Gurkha Company   

And the Battle of Balaclava, one man’s story as part of the Charge of the Heavy Brigade.

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What should be done to counter cyber threats from Russia?

A new report says there needs to be more investment in armed forces personnel and their families to keep them in the military.

We report on Exercise Merlin Storm with Commando Helicopter Force

And a reservist’s personal insight into what it's been like to work in hospitals throughout the Covid pandemic.

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Vice Admiral Sir Jeremy Blackham on the future deployment of aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth. 

The Red Cross tells Sitrep how the conflict in Yemen is having a devastating impact on the treatment of those affected by COVID-19.

And we report from Germany on the 75^th anniversary of the Potsdam Conference that shaped the future of post-war Europe. 

 

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The Chief of the Defence staff on the future shape of the armed forces.

Why have so many countries become involved in the conflict going on in Libya?

A day in the life of military personnel working on coronavirus Mobile Testing units.

What will the Government do about Huawei and 5G? The significance of the Battle of Britain in the Second World War.

 

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As Afghanistan deals with the spread of Coronavirus, a British Army spokesperson tells the programme what precautions are being taken on their deployment in the country.

A new National Security Adviser has been appointed but what will be the impact of the change at the top of Whitehall? Professor Michael Clarke unpicks the changes.

And searching for the right words to find fitting inscriptions for military graves. We speak to Peter Francis from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. 

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We assess the impact of the military's response to Covid 19: Russia's security services under the spotlight.

One of the RAF’s first female fast jet pilots tells Sitrep what it was like to be a pioneer in her field and our ambassador to Washington enlists the help of the Army, the Navy and the RAF in making the perfect cup of tea!

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Tributes paid to Dame Vera Lynn, the forces sweetheart.

President Trump has confirmed that 9,500 US troops are to leave Germany, so how will that affect NATO's strategy in Europe?

The Chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee tells Sitrep of his deep concern over the fatal clashes at the border between China and India

Plus -  why a new research project has been launched to see how veterans are coping during the Covid 19 pandemic. 

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One of the Army’s most senior officers has told BFBS Sitrep why he wrote an open letter about tackling racism, following the protests over the death of George Floyd.

Commander, Home Command, Lieutenant General Tyrone Urch told Sitrep that the British Army was not immune to incidences of racism and he's written to all commanders saying he is determined the army will push back against racism, hatred and division.

We also hear from a former United States permanent representative to NATO about a warning this week from the organisation's head about the growing economic and military power of China. Jens Stoltenberg said the West must stand together to face any challenges.

And the oldest Admiral in the fleet... we look at Prince Philip's war time experiences - including witnessing  Japan's surrender - in the week he celebrates his 99th birthday.

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We hear about the new regiment being formed to counter the threat from digital attacks. The first dedicated Cyber regiment is designed to protect defence networks at home and on operations overseas. Brigadier John Collyer - the Commander of 1st Signal Brigade - tells us about the threats and explains how the 13th Signal regiment is made up from different specialist teams. The military have been widely praised for their work throughout the COVID 19 crisis but questions are being asked now about the impact of the pandemic on government spending overall, and on defence spending in particular. We hear from the Defence Secretary giving evidence in parliament and from defence experts. And what advice on leadership and motivation would you give a 14 year old? We hear from a father who, when working at Downing St, asked world leaders, authors and sports stars to write down their life advice for his son we hear what George W Bush, Mikhail Gorbachev and J.K. Rowling, among others. Follow us @bfbssitrep

We hear from scientists at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory at Porton Down who have been using their expertise to assess how the coronavirus behaves and to support the government's testing programme. We assess the impact of Dunkirk 80 years after the evacuation of over 300,000 thousand British and Allied troops from the beaches and hear from a 100 year old veteran who was taken prisoner. And we hear how the US Army is using skilled gamers in its ranks to reach out to prospective recruits  at a time when coronavirus makes career fairs difficult. The army e-sports team competes full time and organises large online tournaments where they can meet prospective soldiers. Follow us @bfbssitrep