BFBS Sitrep

The world’s biggest military powers are all jockeying for position in and around the Arctic, starkly illustrated by Donald Trump’s demands for the US to buy Greenland even though it’s  already NATO territory. Sitrep explains the melting pot of strategic positioning, potential trade routes, and natural resources that are driving shows of military force, including by the UK, in the High North....

The head of NATO says nothing can replace the US nuclear umbrella as the ultimate guarantee of our security,  and “Europe needs to know Uncle Sam still has our back” But amid doubts about US commitment there is talk creating a comprehensive European nuclear capability without American-owned weapons.  Could the UK and France really provide a Europe only deterrent?  And if so, should...

The head of the Army has spoken of his “anger and shame” after more than a thousand women shared stories of harassment, bullying and much worse while they served their country. Another set of changes have been announced to try to stop unacceptable behaviours, including a tri-service unit to take over the most serious complaints from the chain of command. But is it enough? Sitrep explains the detai...

Sitrep assesses how the 30-day ceasefire, offered by Ukraine, could work in reality.  Would troops just stay in place and dig in, or might they have to pull back from a buffer zone? It is a tactical trade-off by Kyiv which gives it back US military aid and intelligence, and forces Russia onto the diplomatic back foot. Professor Michael Clarke explains which side has most to gain from a pause...

Whatever you think of how President Trump said it to President Zelensky, the fact is Ukraine is not in good position.  That was made worse by the freezing of US military aid, and crucial moment-by-moment intelligence. Sitrep explains how that has left Ukraine “blindfolded with one hand tied behind its back”  and assesses its options to stay in the fight or even strengthen its position fo...

We now have a deadline for the UK to spend 2.5% of national income on defence and it’s much sooner than anyone expected.  But cash doesn’t just turn into military might. There are many things you could spend it on. People? Hardware? Training? The real question is what you should spend it on, for the right capabilities at the right times. There are urgent priorities to rapidly improve defence...

In the 1970’s and 1980’s the UK typically spent 4-5% of its national income on Defence, but what did that money buy and what did our Armed Forces spend their time doing? Kate Gerbeau and Professor Michael Clarke talk to historian Ian J Sanders, host of the Cold War Conversations podcast, for a history lesson on how we deployed our military capability to protect Europe from a Russian led threat. Ti...

Despite the many uncertainties about a possible peace-deal for Ukraine, Britain’s Defence Secretary says the detail is being developed for a European led security guarantee. Former head of the Army General Lord Dannatt warns that while the Prime Minister is ready and willing to commit British troops, the Army is willing but not ready. Sitrep assesses how many people and what equipment it might be...

Donald Trump’s tried to take Ukraine’s future out of its own hands by opening negotiations with Russia, and telling Kyiv that NATO membership and getting all of its land back are hopeless ambitions. So what should Ukraine do now? Could focussing on the fight still improve its negotiating position, or has it reached its high watermark in the war? Professor Michael Clarke and retired General Sir Ric...

Keir Starmer wants a post-brexit reset with the EU, and he thinks it should start with “an ambitious partnership” on defence and security.   But would it help our Armed Forces when we already have NATO? Former Army officer Ed Arnold explains how both the EU and NATO could give us more bang-for-our-buck, as well as the potential pitfalls.   British troops are showing partnership in action...

Donald Trump wants NATO members to spend 5% of their national income on Defence, the UK is years away from meeting half that target.   Is 5% a realistic figure, given that we did it back in the cold war, or would that simply be spending money for the sake of it?  Mike does some reality checking, and Kate talks to Labour MP Luke Akehurst who says the current UK ambition of 2.5% should “ju...

The defence secretary John Healey sends a message to Russia’s President Putin warning him we will not shy away from robust action to protect this country. It’s after a Russian spy ship is spotted for a second time in UK waters. On Sitrep, we discuss the creeping threat of hybrid warfare. Why is the US preparing for potential conflict with China by 2027? Professor of War & Strategy in East Asia...

The Ministry Of Defence is given a stark warning that it needs to play catch-up and should learn from Ukraine’s use of AI on the battlefield. So what is Ukraine using? What happens if Britain doesn’t get a grip? And what could that mean for our troops on the battlefield? Sitrep’s Ukraine reporter Simon Newton and Assistant Director of the defence team at Rand Europe, James Black, discuss...

After a string of attacks against European data and power cables, and undersea pipelines, the British-led Joint Expeditionary Force has activated a new AI powered system to track and monitor suspicious activity from Russian “shadow fleet” ships. But what can the Nordic Warden operation do to stop attacks from happening when something is spotted?  Former Royal Navy Commander Tom Sharpe explain...

Kim Hughes was a driver in the Army who’d already quit once and was feeling disheartened again. But a moment watching a colleague prepare for a potentially deadly duty in Northern Ireland finally awakened his ambition. He tells James Hirst how that new found drive, a lot of classroom graft, and a childhood fascination with fireworks led to a George Cross for selfless bravery while disarming more t...

Ryan Ramsay spent three years at the helm of a Royal Navy attack submarine, before teaching the next generation of leaders. But he gives big credit to the US Navy, and one particular leader, for helping him reach command after 20 years at sea. Ryan tells James Hirst why a transatlantic exchange was the moment that made him, with insights into leadership styles, the importance of supporting familie...

When the RAF opened fighter pilot roles to women Mandy Hickson was one of the first in line. The powers that be told her she was a test-case, and a key flying exam threatened to prove their prediction of failure correct. But a moment of inspired teamwork, cycling with her fellow student pilots, transformed her struggles into a pass with flying colours. Mandy tells Kate Gerbeau how that moment made...

At the age of 23 Chip Chapman not only went to war for the first time, but also had to lead his platoon into the first fighting of the decisive battle in the Falklands war. When Argentinian forces lost at Goose Green they surrendered and the islands were liberated, but it had been a hard fight that could have gone either way. Chip tells Kate Gerbeau how Goose Green taught him the importance of dis...

Andrew Fox always knew he wanted more from his Army career. But poor eyesight kept him out of the Army air corps, and a bad luck injury ended any hope of Special Forces selection. He didn’t give up though, and his moment came when he took on another of the Armed Forces toughest selections. P-Company to join the Parachute Regiment. Andrew talks to Kate Gerbeau about passing the selection and finall...

Neil Greenberg is a world leading expert, and practitioner, in military mental health. He signed up to the Royal Navy while still in medical school, then travelled the world on ships and submarines, not just attending to crew health but getting stuck into everything else required of an officer to keep a vessel operating successfully. But it could have been very different, had he not heard a radio...

Liz McConaghy joined the RAF on her 19th Birthday and flew on Chinooks for seventeen years. She helped save hundreds of lives on MERT rescue missions for dangerously-wounded troops, during her ten tours of Afghanistan. But saving others lives left a big impact on Liz’s own, and months after leaving the RAF she attempted to end her life. Liz tells Kate Gerbeau why, the moment she woke up in hospita...

Julian Thompson had already served thirty years in the Royal Marines when a phone call, in the dead of night, would come to define his career. It brought news of an imminent invasion, and orders to lead 3 Commando Brigade more than seven-thousand miles across the Atlantic, in just a matter of days, to liberate the Falkland Islands. He tells Kate Gerbeau how his first reaction to the call was horro...

Andy McNab faced the IRA in Northern Ireland, served on numerous SAS covert operations around the world, and was captured behind enemy lines in Iraq. But he tells Kate Gerbeau the real moment that made him was reading a Janet & John children’s book at the age of 16. It unlocked the Army career which took him away from a life of teenage crime, and eventually led him to becoming a bestselling au...

Rosie Stone was recording an audio diary at the moment she came under fire on a patrol in Southern Afghanistan. This was her first experience of a combat situation after more than eight years service in the Army. But it became a very different learning experience as she was given shelter and tea by local Afghan women while a gun battle raged behind their compound wall. Rosie shares her recording o...

On the 16th of December 2008 HMS Endurance suffered a very sudden and catastrophic flood in the South Atlantic. Tom Sharpe was in temporary command of the Royal Navy ice breaker as her engine room filled in less than half an hour, and she lost power in turbulent seas. Tom tells Kate Gerbeau why he ignored advice from the UK to abandon ship, how he led his crew to save the ship from sinking, and ho...