BFBS Radio Sitrep

What will 2018 have in store for the British Forces?

There’s a bleak forecast for defence from a top analyst but is it really all doom and gloom?

Find out why some people think the British Army is top heavy.

And, who’s in the running to be the new Chief of the Defence Staff?

THURSDAYS at 4:30pm UK TIME on BFBS RADIO 2 and at 6:30pm UK TIME on BFBS & UK Bases

You can listen on BFBS Radio 2 at 1630 (UK time) and at 1830 (UK time) on BFBS (via web & App in the UK and on FM in Scotland, Colchester, Salisbury Plain, Aldershot, Catterick & Blandford Forum).  On Sky Channel 0211.

Alternatively - listen again on the website, or download the Sitrep Podcast.

This week (Today) on Sitrep...

How does the world look at the end of 2017?

What sort of shape are Britain's Armed Forces in?

What does Brexit mean for British and European Security?

What difference has President Trump made to the world?

And why we should all be watching what China does next.

That's Sitrep on Forces Radio BFBS, Thursday 6.30pm.

(Available as a podcast or listen again if you miss it!)

European Defence gets serious but Britain wants to be big in Japan.

The Afghan Interpreter who feels he's being treated like a criminal in the UK.

Also in the programme – the Royal Navy says goodbye to Atherstone and Quorn

What tickles the troops?  Is Forces humour different?

And war stories from a seasoned correspondent…..

The Royal Navy's biggest ever ship joins the fleet.

Is Trump's declaration on Jerusalem the scare-story of the year?

Brexit and the agreement that ended the troubles in Northern Ireland.

And should soldiers be able to tweet freely?

THURSDAYS at 4:30pm UK TIME on BFBS RADIO 2 and at 6:30pm UK TIME on BFBS & UK Bases

You can listen on BFBS Radio 2 at 1630 (UK time) and at 1830 (UK time) on BFBS (via web & App in the UK and on FM in Scotland, Colchester, Salisbury Plain, Aldershot, Catterick & Blandford Forum).  On Sky Channel 0211.

Alternatively - listen again on the website, or download the Sitrep Podcast.

In today’s programme Sitrep hears from the PM who’s been visiting British troops in Iraq.

Plus…..Is the international response against North Korea strong enough?

Find out why the defence chiefs got a telling off.

Beach landings - do we still need an amphibious capability?

And that rousing regimental boxing speech – Sitrep hears from the officer that made it.

THURSDAYS at 4:30pm UK TIME on BFBS RADIO 2 and at 6:30pm UK TIME on BFBS & UK Bases

You can listen on BFBS Radio 2 at 1630 (UK time) and at 1830 (UK time) on BFBS (via web & App in the UK and on FM in Scotland, Colchester, Salisbury Plain, Aldershot, Catterick & Blandford Forum).  On Sky Channel 0211.

Alternatively - listen again on the website, or download the Sitrep Podcast.

Is there a problem with the Type 45 Destroyers?

How much will Britain's F35 aircraft programme cost in the long term?

It's Thanksgiving today in America - but what, in name of Trump, should Americans be thankful for?

And Op Shader -  from the pilot's view in the skies above Iraq.

THURSDAYS at 4:30pm UK TIME on BFBS RADIO 2 and at 6:30pm UK TIME on BFBS & UK Bases

You can listen on BFBS Radio 2 at 1630 (UK time) and at 1830 (UK time) on BFBS (via web & App in the UK and on FM in Scotland, Colchester, Salisbury Plain, Aldershot, Catterick & Blandford Forum).  On Sky Channel 0211.

Alternatively - listen again on the website, or download the Sitrep Podcast.

SITREP TRAIL THURS, 16th November 2017 (KATE PRESENTS TODAY)

What’s the truth behind the criticisms that the armed forces are close to breaking point without more investment?

What’s going on in Zimbabwe - has Mugabe’s reign finally come to an end

Is Lebanon the new centre for war in the Middle East?

And we pay tribute to one of the first females pilots of the Second World War – Joy Lofthouse.

Nato agrees to three thousand extra troops for their training mission in Afghanistan – but where will they come from?

We feature a special report about British troops training soldiers in war-torn Somalia.

What will be the role of Artificial Intelligence in future conflicts?

And, what if social media had existed during the First World War?  An insight to a unique project allows us to eavesdrop…….find out more in today’s Sitrep.

Sir Michael Fallon has resigned from the top job at the Ministry of Defence..and the former Chief Whip Gavin Williamson will take his place as the new Secretary of State for Defence.

Sitrep examines Fallon’s legacy and looks at the issues facing the new defence secretary ahead of a mini defence review & an important NATO meeting.

Join Tim Cooper and special guests in a special edition of Sitrep.

Can Britain afford to have its own defence industry?

Catalonia seeks independence from Spain but still wants to be in NATO,

Minehunting off the coast of Scotland for Exercise Joint Warrior,

And returning from the hurricanes, RAF Brize Norton welcomes back Op Ruman's air crews.

TOPICS

DEFENCE CUTS

Editor of Defence Analysis Francis Tusa & BFBS Defence Analyst Christopher Lee .

CATALAN DEFENCE

James Hasik is a senior fellow in the Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security.

EXERCISE JOINT WARRIOR

BFBS Reporter Rosie Laydon & BFBS Defence Analyst Christopher Lee.

OP RUMAN RETURN

BFBS Reporter Alex Gill.

REMEMBRANCE – THE QUEEN

BFBS Defence Analyst Christopher Lee.

THURSDAYS at 4:30pm UK TIME on BFBS RADIO 2 and at 6:30pm UK TIME on BFBS & UK Bases

You can listen on BFBS Radio 2 at 1630 (UK time) and at 1830 (UK time) on BFBS (via web & App in the UK and on FM in Scotland, Colchester, Salisbury Plain, Aldershot, Catterick & Blandford Forum). On Sky Channel 0211.

Alternatively - listen again on the website, or download the Sitrep Podcast.

Defence spending – do we spend the right amount on the right equipment?

NATO troops could be out of Afghanistan within four years...that’s the prediction from the country's President.

Could a growing cadet force be the answer to the forces recruitment problem?

And.... how 3D printing could be the next big thing in winning wars.

Guests: BFBS Defence Analyst Christopher Lee

TOPICS

DEFENCE SPENDING

Pete Sandeman, Director of the online campaign "Save The Royal Navy" & Ben Moores  - a Defence and Aviation Analyst from IHS Janes.

AFGHANISTAN

BBC's Justin Rowlatt, who’s interviewed The Afghan President, Ashraf Ghan.

CADETS

BFBS Defence Analyst Christopher Lee

3D Printing

BFBS Reporter Hannah King

North Korea: How close are we to actual war?

The battle for Raqqa  - what happens when ISIS are defeated?

The fight for Kurdish independence – what does it mean for the Middle East?

Nato’s international rescue for Submarines…

And, after 90 years the White Helmets wave goodbye……………

Trump’s speech to the UN – why it’s a game-changer…

Is the Ministry of Defence considering reducing the size of the Royal Marines?

Three years of Op Shader, Sitrep goes behind the scenes at Al Udeid?

British Forces are suffering from a recruitment crisis – so should we bring back national service?

Guests:

Former Director General of the Royal United Services Institute Professor Michael Clarke.

TOPICS

TRUMP/UN

Former Director General of the Royal United Services Institute Professor Michael Clarke.

HURRICANE MARIA

Forces News reporter Rebecca Ricks on board RFA Mount Bay.

ROYAL MARINES - CUTS

Major General Julian Thompson, former RM commander, Deborah Haynes the Defence Editor at The Times and former Director General of the Royal United Services Institute Professor Michael Clarke.

AL UDEID /OP SHADER

Forces News reporter  Simon Newton goes behind the scenes.

CONSCRIPTION

Elisabeth Braw, a non-resident Senior fellow at the Atlantic Council & former Director General of the Royal United Services Institute Professor Michael Clarke.

Russia’ playing war-games in the East to fight the West, but what’s the reason for the Exercises?

British troops arrive in the Caribbean for Op Ruman.

And…..improvements inside the warrior armoured vehicle and more from the world's biggest military fair.

Guests:

BFBS Defence Analyst Christopher Lee.

TOPICS

EX ZAPAD

General Sir Richard Shireff, former Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe, the writer on Russian affairs Mary Dejevsky and our defence analyst Christopher Lee.

HURRICANE

BFBS Defence Analyst Christopher Lee.

DEFENCE EXHIBITION - DESI

BFBS reporter Grace Pascoe interview with the First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Philip Jones.

WARRIOR- DESI

BFBS presenter Richard Hutchinson's had a tour from Lockheed Martin's Phillipa Tredgett, a human factors design engineer.

SECURE MESSAGING APP

BFBS presenter Mike Howarth spoke to David Holman, Company Director of Armour Comms who made the app.

THURSDAYS at 4:30pm UK TIME on BFBS RADIO 2 and at 6:30pm UK TIME on BFBS & UK Bases

You can listen on BFBS Radio 2 at 1630 (UK time) and at 1830 (UK time) on BFBS (via web & App in the UK and on FM in Scotland, Colchester, Salisbury Plain, Aldershot, Catterick & Blandford Forum) On Sky Channel 0211.

Alternatively listen again on the website, or download the Sitrep Podcast.

 North Korea – the threat continues but what can the international community do, and more importantly – what should China do?

Shipbuilding gains pace so but who’s going to man the ships?

And…..have you ever wondered how GCHQ started?  The Sitrep spies have been to investigate……….

North Korea - Has Kim Jong Un....crossed the line?

A former Chief of the Defence Staff, tells us why we need to keep in with the US post-Brexit.

More troops for Afghanistan...should the UK answer Donald Trump's call for help?

Plus, what is the definition of war? Have the goalposts been shifted?

And remembering Princess Diana, and one of her legacies - to rid the world of landmines.

TOPICS

Guests:

BFBS Defence Analyst Christopher Lee.

NORTH KOREA

From the Times, Michael Evans, & BFBS Defence Analyst Christopher Lee.

WHAT IS WAR?

Michael Evans, & BFBS Defence Analyst Christopher Lee.

BREXIT

LORD RICHARDS, Chief of the Defence Staff

LIBYA

former Ambassador to Libya, Oliver Miles.

PRINCESS DIANA LEGACY

BFBS Defence Analyst Christopher Lee.

On this week’s Sitrep with Kate Gerbeau, we have a special look at Afghanistan following Donald Trump’s speech on his new strategy for the war.

We look at what it means for Afghanistan, America and the UK plus we discuss whether putting more boots on the ground will make a significant difference.

We speak to Emily Winterbotham (RUSI), Michael Kugelman (Woodrow Wilson Center), Emily Knowles (Oxford Research Group) and Paul Rogers (University of Bradford).

In today’s Sitrep with Tim Cooper

There’s mounting tensions over North Korea as President Trump threatens fire and fury whilst the UN urges caution & diplomacy.

Find out how the Army is hoping to keep the Anglo-German deployment going post 2019.

Plus:  why the Imperial War Museum has upset its members

And Portsmouth gets ready to welcome the Navy’s biggest ever carrier.

TOPICS

Guests:

Professor of Peace Studies at the University of Bradford Paul Rogers and BFBS Defence Analyst Christopher Lee.

North Korea

Former British Ambassador to Pyongyang, David Slinn, Dr Paul Rogers, Professor of Peace Studies at the University of Bradford and BFBS Defence Analyst Christopher Lee.

Commander Field Army in Minden

Lt General Patrick Saunders talking to Aimee Dewitt about post 2019.

HMS Queen Elizabeth

Interview with the leader of Portsmouth City Council Donna Jones ahead of the Carrier’s arrival.

The Imperial War Museum

Mark Smith, the Antiques Roadshow's militaria expert, Professor of Peace Studies at the University of Bradford Paul Rogers and BFBS Defence Analyst Christopher Lee.

The Head of the Army explains why we need to keep hold of Sennelager after drawdown in Germany.

Will US plans to use diplomacy decrease the tensions in North Korea?

Do Generals who take time out to study for a PhD make better military commanders?

And, as the Duke of Edinburgh retires from royal duties, Sitrep looks at the importance to the military of having a royal colonel.

TOPICS

Guests:

BFBS  Defence Analyst Christopher Lee & Professor Michael Clarke, the former Director General of the Royal United Services Institute

HEAD OF THE ARMY INTERVIEW

Rob Olver interviews General Nick Carter.

NATO RISK REDUCTION

Defence Analyst Christopher Lee & Professor Michael Clarke, the former Director General of the Royal United Services Institute

PHD GENERALS

Elisabeth Braw, senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council

DUKE OF EDINBURGH

Defence Analyst Christopher Lee & Professor Michael Clarke, the former Director General of the Royal United Services Institute