🪡🧵 There’s been a steady and growing queue of politicians making pleas for more defence spending, many of whom have held various Minsiterial roles within the MoD. There have been more (myself included) ex-Military leaders highlighting the increasing risks faced by Defence. 1/20 It is entirely understandable that most observers question why it takes retirement from a role to suddenly see clearly what needs to be done, and raises the perfectly valid question of why didn’t they say or do something when they had the power or position to do so. 2/20

A drone🪡🧵. With the proliferation of drones, what are the implications for conventional militaries? The drone label has been reserved for air vehicles, but I’m going to broaden it here to any unmanned military vehicle, whether it’s remotely operated or autonomous. 1/17 Drones have long been heralded as the end of manned flight (satellites will wonder what all the fuss is about). But, whilst that utopian vision remains unrealised, what Ukraine has confirmed is that Armies and Navies need to take them just as seriously. 2/17

“These are not the drones you’re looking for”. The RAF conducted tech demonstrations with “off the self” drones, but none came close to the capability sought. A planned 2023 trial with Spirit AeroSystems was cancelled in 2022 after a BOI assessment. 1/5 thetimes.co.uk/article/raf-dr… The LANCA “Mosquito” drone was aimed at a more advanced role than we see every day in Ukraine. The manned/unmanned teaming concept in the air domain remains an elusive goal with no budget. Currently, only the US looks likely to have the resource to deliver this concept. 2/5

The Non Statutory Inquiry into RAF Recruiting and Selection has been released (link below). There are no significant new revelations, but there are some key observations and organisational lessons worthy of emphasis. A short 🧵based n first read: 1/12

https://twitter.com/royalairforce/status/1674463226468220928

The report confirms that in retrospect the fast tracking of non-white male candidates on to earlier courses was discriminatory in law. However, importantly, the internal legal advice only changed to this position in mid 2022, when the practice was stopped. 2/12

A few myth busting thoughts on the UK’s evacuation operation in Sudan: 1. The UK reacted as quickly (if not quicker in some areas) in standing up a evacuation force. 2. It will have to operate for longer and have greater capacity than other Nations with smaller national numbers. 3. Because of the sheer numbers of UK Nationals and the indications of threat to the embassy, the UK prioritised it’s diplomatic evacuation rather than start a wider evacuation which needed a longer safe window than the promised initial 72 hours.

NEOs are almost always complex, executed late and never perfect. However, this one appears to have gone as well as anyone could have expected, and is testament to the planning team at PJHQ/JFHQ/FCO and the joint team who delivered it in the air and on the ground. Those seeking a reprieve for the C130 fleet (retiring this June) on the back of this will, I’m afraid, be disappointed. Better to see this as a changing of the guard - a final and fitting last mission for the venerable Herc and a coming of age for the A400M.

Passionate and powerful speech from Zelensky right now in Parliament. We must give Ukraine the tools to finish the job. telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/02/0… “While not offering actual aircraft, it could be a vital step in that process and maintain the momentum of western military aid. Moreover, the knowledge transfer would be invaluable in its own right.”

A Ukraine NFZ - busting some myths - A thread… #NoFlyZoneOverUkraine #NoFlyZone #NoFlyZoneInUkraineNow A No Fly Zone response to Russian actions in Ukraine is being dismissed out of hand. The arguments against are being parroted by politicians and commentators alike, but is it that black and white. Let’s unpick the 4 main arguments:

A Ukraine NFZ 🪡🧵- How could it work? I have shifted my view on this and believe that there is now a case to explore this option and soon. 1. It would have to be under UN “responsibility to protect” auspices and cannot be a purely NATO initiative. una.org.uk/r2p-detail contributions from non NATO nations would greatly assist here, but recognise that NATO nations/systems best placed.