BFBS 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...

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...

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…..

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 RAD...

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...

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 Lofthou...

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…….f...

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 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   D...

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. TO...

  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 Eur...

 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.     TOP...

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...

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...

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   Guest...

President trump has tweeted that he doesn’t want transgender personnel in the us military, today the Sitrep programme speaks to Caroline Paige, who was the first openly transgender officer in the British Forces. Also in the programme: what the RAF are doing in Romania on Op Biloxi, an update on Sandhurst in the Sand and the Afghan Air Force take to the skies. THURSDAYS at 4:30pm UK TIME on BFBS RA...

Can Europe cope with the influx of refugees? Could the UN broker a peace deal in Syria? What went wrong with the F35s? Why did the head of France’s armed forces quit his job? Plus: Make Your Bed - a US Admiral's top tip for a lifetime of success. TOPICS REFUGEES Professor Paul Rogers, Professor of Peace Studies at the University of Bradford & Christopher Lee, BFBS Defence Analyst. SYRIA Hamish de...

Mosul – IS have been defeated but what’s next for the beleaguered Iraqi city? The Chief of the Air Staff looks forward to the RAF’s centenary next year whilst the WRNS is celebrating its 100th anniversary this week. Plus…. Trump Junior and the mysterious Russian Lawyer, what’s the true story?     TOPICS   CHIEF OF THE AIR STAFF BFBS reporter Charlotte Banks interview with the Chief of the Air Staf...

  SITREP TRAIL THURS, 6th July (KATE PRESENTS TODAY)   One year after publishing his report Sir John Chilcot finally speaks out but why did it take so long? Why NATO’s ready for business on the front line. How should the international community respond to North Korea? And, the people's storybook of the Cold War.                                  TOPICS   CHILCOT INTERVIEW Former BBC Diplomatic Corr...

Why the army needs to change the way it recruits the head of the US Army in Europe shares his concerns about the shrinking British army…. Plus, Britain's biggest ever warship, HMS Queen Elizabeth sets sail, but what does the future hold for her? Fresh talks are taking place aimed at re-unifying Cyprus. And its 20 year since the British left Hong Kong……….. TOPICS ARMY RECRUITING BFBS reporter Rosie...

  In this week’s Sitrep, Is the destruction of an ancient mosque in the Iraqi city of Mosul an admission of defeat by IS?   What’s life like for the RAF Reaper Squadrons?   Prince Harry shares his thoughts on his life in the army, dealing with his demons and the Invictus games.   Plus -  The new Veterans’ Gateway, find out how it can help you.   TOPICS MOSUL & SYRIA Professor Michael Clarke, the f...