Middle East

Discuss current, historical or potential future deployments, as well the defence of the UK's overseas interests.
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The Armchair Soldier
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Middle East

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A thread for the UK's activities in the Middle East.

Royal Navy Ships Receiving Maintenance Services in Bahrain
LONDON, July 1 (UPI) -- British warships are to receive maintenance in Bahrain from Arab Shipbuilding and Repair Yard through a collaborative agreement with Babcock.

Babcock said its agreement with ASRY, part of its worldwide support contract with the Royal Navy, will cover work from general maintenance to specific projects such as the changing of diesel generators.
Read More: http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Securi ... 435776496/

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Re: Middle East

Post by The Armchair Soldier »

So, in addition to the upgraded base in Bahrain, the Government is now looking for one in Oman, and once again expects it to be capable of hosting a QE-class carrier:

Defence Secretary Visits Oman
The Defence Secretary Michael Fallon has unveiled plans to look at developing a British presence at Oman’s major Duqm port.

The Defence Secretary Michael Fallon has unveiled plans to look at developing a British presence at Oman’s major Duqm port. The move underlines Britain’s increasing defence engagement with, and presence in the Gulf – a key manifesto commitment at this year’s General Election.

Visiting the site, Michael Fallon said:

The booming port complex at Duqm is a key strategic location for both the UK and Oman. There are areas of mutual benefit for both countries.

I was impressed by the scale and vision of the project. I believe there could be a part to play for the UK from a military, as well as a commercial perspective.

The Duqm port project provides significant opportunity to the defence, security and prosperity agendas for both the UK and Oman. It will offer an airport with a 4km runway close to a port large enough for a Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers to manoeuvre and will also be connected to other Gulf countries by the Gulf Rail Project. A permanent presence at Duqm would enable the UK to shape the development of the Naval facility to support future carrier capability and wider British maritime needs in the area.
Read More: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/defe ... isits-oman

~UNiOnJaCk~
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Re: Middle East

Post by ~UNiOnJaCk~ »

Fascinating, but i fail to see how, at this stage, the government could justify the regional overlap in having two such facilities in the same region - additional potential offered by the Oman set up or no.

A permanent training facility in Oman however, now that is something that looks to make good sense. A sound investment i believe those with business acumen would say.

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Re: Middle East

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UK Builds First Permanent Middle East Base for 40 Years
Work has begun to construct Britain's first new permanent military base in the Middle East since 1971.

Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond and naval personnel attended a ceremony to mark the start of construction of HMS Juffair at Mina Salman Port in Bahrain.

The establishment is being developed to support Royal Navy deployments in the Gulf through the creation of a permanent and improved base.

Mr Hammond said it showed the UK's commitment to the region.
Read More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-34690895

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Re: Middle East

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Dunne: UK Review Will Feature Gulf Region Prominently in Planning
DUBAI — The Gulf region will feature prominently in the United Kingdom's upcoming strategy review, a top United Kingdom defense official said here Monday.

Phillip Dunne, UK defense procurement minister, told reporters that the region will be a focus of the upcoming Strategic Defense and Security Review (SDSR), and indicated it will likely contain an emphasis on increased presence in the region — which could eventually involve the UK's duo of new aircraft carriers.

"We have a theme running throughout the [review] of the importance of international relations across what we do in defense," Dunne said. "We're strengthening international allies and partnerships as being at the core of our mission for defense, and the gulf plays an important part in that."
Read More: http://www.defensenews.com/story/defens ... /75417044/

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Re: Middle East

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The Armchair Soldier wrote:Dunne: UK Review Will Feature Gulf Region Prominently in Planning
DUBAI — The Gulf region will feature prominently in the United Kingdom's upcoming strategy review, a top United Kingdom defense official said here Monday.
This is standard "ich bin ein Berliner" stuff, it means nothing. He's just fluffing his audience.

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Re: Middle East

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Tiny Toy wrote:
The Armchair Soldier wrote:Dunne: UK Review Will Feature Gulf Region Prominently in Planning
DUBAI — The Gulf region will feature prominently in the United Kingdom's upcoming strategy review, a top United Kingdom defense official said here Monday.
This is standard "ich bin ein Berliner" stuff, it means nothing. He's just fluffing his audience.
I see, so building a base big enough to accomodate the new carriers alongside, and costing £15m is 'fluff' is it. :roll:

Before you say it,yes I know who is paying the bill and it makes not one jot of difference. In fact it shows that we are needed in the region with the blessing of the host country. Though I doubt it will stop the lefty's shouting about our imperial past being resurected. :lol:

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Re: Middle East

Post by ArmChairCivvy »

jonas wrote: building a base big enough to accomodate the new carriers alongsid
The answer is that simple (to: why two bases): You need the carriers in the region, but you would be crazy to expose them in the confined waters of the Gulf.

BTW, Oman is about the nicest place for some R&R for the crew, if staying long in the region. Europeans flock to Dubai and the Emirati travel to Oman for their hols (if not further).
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Re: Middle East

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jonas wrote:I see, so building a base big enough to accomodate the new carriers alongside, and costing £15m is 'fluff' is it. :roll:
That decision has already been made. The SDSR is about future decisions.

We may or may not decide to invest more or less into the Gulf region. But you cannot possibly take Dunne's statement as an actual confirmation that we will invest more. If you believe that, you have no understanding of politics or diplomacy whatsoever.

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Re: Middle East

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The QEC carriers will not be able to berth alongside at the new naval base being built because the waters are too shallow. Instead, they will anchor nearby:

http://www.parliament.uk/business/publi ... 1-04/20811

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Re: Middle East

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The Armchair Soldier wrote:The QEC carriers will not be able to berth alongside at the new naval base being built because the waters are too shallow. Instead, they will anchor nearby:

http://www.parliament.uk/business/publi ... 1-04/20811
It's not likely that there was ever a plan for the QE-class to berth at the Mina Salman pier, there's a very narrow entrance and quite shallow, and likely would require frequent dredging. Queen Elizabeth and Prince of Wales will likely use the Khalifa Bin Salman port jetty, just as US CVNs do. Take a look on Google Earth, there's an American carrier at that port in the current image.

Wasn't there also some rumblings about using ports in Oman for the QE-class carriers?

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Re: Middle East

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HMS St Albans flies high at Bahrain Air Show
In a role slightly different from the norm, HMS St Albans’ Merlin helicopter featured at the recent Bahrain International Air Show representing the Royal Navy.

Usually the Merlin Mk2 can be found carrying out maritime patrols and interdiction, troop ferrying, casualty evacuation, load lifting, Search and Rescue, and whatever else is required of it.

But in a change to routine the Merlin went on show demonstrating the Royal Navy’s maritime air capability at the international air show which attracts more than 40,000 visitors.

The small team of aircrew and engineers and their Merlin received an exceptionally warm welcome from both the Bahrainis and wider public from all over the Gulf Region.
Read more: http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-la ... n-air-show

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Re: Middle East

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Divers hunt mines in joint US-UK exercise
Two Royal Navy minehunters and a specialist diving team have taken part in a week-long exercise with their American counterparts in the Gulf – locating and destroying a variety of dummy mines.

HMS Bangor and HMS Chiddingfold are based in Bahrain for six months while the divers of Fleet Diving Unit 3 were flown out from Portsmouth to take part as specialists in searching jetties, ships and harbours.

The Royal Navy ships joined with Royal Fleet Auxilary ship Cardigan Bay – used as the command ship for British mine and dive forces in the Middle East – and the American minesweeper USS Gladiator.

All three minehunters taking part in the ‘squad exercise’ brought something different: HMS Chiddingfold is designed to hunt and destroy mines in shallow waters; HMS Bangor has a sonar which can be lowered to locate devices in deep sea; and the USS Gladiator carries out sweeping – either detonating mines at a safe distance or cutting their anchor cables, bringing them to the surface so they can be destroyed.
Read more: http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-la ... n-joint-ex

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Re: Middle East

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The next thing that will happen is that the brand new Russian helos, straight out of factory, will also get 'Egyptian' systems installed:

"The French built vessels, which had been originally destined for Russia, have subsequently had their communications equipment replaced with Egyptian systems. In a separate deal, Egypt will purchase navalized versions of the Ka-52K attack helicopter designed for the Russian purchase. With the initial sale to Moscow billed at around $1.3 billion, Egypt has enjoyed a slight reduction, purchasing the vessels for $1 billion."
Ever-lasting truths: Multi-year budgets/ planning by necessity have to address the painful questions; more often than not the Either-Or prevails over Both-And.
If everyone is thinking the same, then someone is not thinking (attributed to Patton)

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Re: Middle East

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Hezbollah seems to signalling to Israel that they want to be left alone, so that they can concentrate on the carve out of what today is known as the Syrian state:

" US Secretary of State John Kerry said just last month that Iran’s plan for Syria “needs to be explored” and is “very close to what Geneva has been trying to achieve.”

Iran will be subject to sanctions [despite the easing of the oil export sanctions] as a “state of sponsor of terrorism” under US law until there are conversations about Hezbollah’s role in the region. Israel, Lebanon and post-war Syria will all benefit from secure and peaceful borders. The trend in that direction may be fragile and precarious, but it is a trend nonetheless, and it depends, ultimately, on Israel and Iran. And it all begins with Syria."

So, that was last month and mid-month (Feb) Hezbollah leader mentioned the change of emphasis (extermination of the state of Israel no longer being the main goal; some may still remember this music coming out in stereo, the other loud-speaker being the then-president of Iran).
Ever-lasting truths: Multi-year budgets/ planning by necessity have to address the painful questions; more often than not the Either-Or prevails over Both-And.
If everyone is thinking the same, then someone is not thinking (attributed to Patton)

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Re: Middle East

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And right on cue, from DID of today, my reading is that the Saudis have already written Lebanon off as an entity to be propped up:

"A $3 billion Saudi Arabian aid package to allow the Lebanese Army to buy French weapons has been suspended. Saudi officials cited the lack of condemnation by Beirut over attacks on Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran for the cancelling the deal. The remainder of a further $1 billion package to help the Lebanese internal security service battle terrorism was also cancelled. The incident comes as one of a series highlighting the growing tensions between Sunni Saudi Arabia and Shi'a Iran, with Lebanese Hezbollah a key ally of Tehran. "
- the other message is "no sitting on the fence, please"
Ever-lasting truths: Multi-year budgets/ planning by necessity have to address the painful questions; more often than not the Either-Or prevails over Both-And.
If everyone is thinking the same, then someone is not thinking (attributed to Patton)

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Re: Middle East

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Looks like I am talking to myself here? (Everyone else in love with some shiny piece of kit?)

Anyway, WSJ (who normally don't just invent "stuff") tells us that

"Defense Secretary Ash Carter; Marine Gen. Joseph Dunford, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; and Central Intelligence Agency Director John Brennan have voiced increasingly tough views in White House meetings, calling for new measures to “inflict real pain on the Russians,” a senior administration official said.

If the U.S. doesn’t take action to prevent moderate rebel forces from being wiped out by the Russian-backed offensive, then the Saudis or some other group could decide to break ranks with Washington and send large numbers of Manpads into northern Syria to shoot down Russian bombers, U.S. intelligence agencies have warned policy makers"

This is the same point that was reached in Iraq (250.000 assault rifles had gone missing from the army inventory, the Congress was asking questions, and then the Sunni awakening happened... of course the results were put against the President's brave "surge" decision then).
- funny that, Javelins have appeared on the scene; not just the good old (but clumsy to handle) TOWs
Ever-lasting truths: Multi-year budgets/ planning by necessity have to address the painful questions; more often than not the Either-Or prevails over Both-And.
If everyone is thinking the same, then someone is not thinking (attributed to Patton)

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Re: Middle East

Post by ArmChairCivvy »

the 26th will tell us where "we" (they) will be headed, but there is reason to expect that one of the options on the table might make Hezbollah pretty angry, judging from what the "little birds" are tweeting:

" #Saudi, #UAE, #Bahrain,& #Kuwait, now #Turkey is asking its subjects to leave #Lebanon"
Ever-lasting truths: Multi-year budgets/ planning by necessity have to address the painful questions; more often than not the Either-Or prevails over Both-And.
If everyone is thinking the same, then someone is not thinking (attributed to Patton)

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Re: Middle East

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Re: Middle East

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Pretty heavy stuff, to make Lebanon see/ declare where it sits in the Shia/Sunni divide (and Syria, going forward). Especially when the country itself is very officially divided (no President since 2014):

"Lebanese press reports talked about 10 measures Saudi Arabia and Gulf countries intend to implement: withdraw the deposits from the Lebanese Central Bank; call on Saudis to withdraw their deposits from Lebanese banks; ask Saudis to stop investments in Lebanon and stop any ongoing investment projects; stop issuing new Saudi entry visas to Lebanese; suspend banking transactions and transfers between Saudi Arabia and Lebanon; suspend flights between both countries; revoke the residence permits of the Lebanese residing in Saudi Arabia and expel them collectively; close the Saudi market in the face of Lebanese exports and stop imports to the Lebanese market; cut the diplomatic ties between both countries, close the Saudi embassy in Beirut, expel the Lebanese ambassador to Saudi Arabia and close the Lebanese embassy in Saudi Arabia; and finally, spread these measures in all GCC countries, as it turned out these countries support Saudi Arabia and are ready to follow suit regarding Lebanon."

Read more: http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/origina ... z421QJir93
Ever-lasting truths: Multi-year budgets/ planning by necessity have to address the painful questions; more often than not the Either-Or prevails over Both-And.
If everyone is thinking the same, then someone is not thinking (attributed to Patton)

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Re: Middle East

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UK to Lead Gulf Maritime Force
The UK will lead a Gulf joint maritime force to deter piracy, tackle terrorism, and disrupt smuggling, the Defence Secretary has announced.

Speaking during a visit to Qatar today, Michael Fallon announced that from April, the UK will lead the Combined Task Force (CTF150), which covers two million square miles, including the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Indian Ocean and Gulf of Oman - an area that is a vital artery of world trade.

The activities of CTF150 directly influence events ashore, denying terrorist groups, including Daesh, a risk-free method of conducting attacks or moving personnel, weapons or income generating narcotics.

Speaking in Qatar today Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said:

"The UK has one of the strongest navies in the world and we are looking forward to leading this important joint force.

This underlines our commitment to working with allies to fight Daesh and tackle terrorism across the region."

[...]

Leading CTF150 will see the UK alongside international partners, including countries that make up the 31 nation Combined Maritime Forces. CTF150 vessels will also assist mariners in distress and undertake humanitarian work as required.
Read More: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-t ... time-force

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Re: Middle East

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Re: Middle East

Post by ArmChairCivvy »

Todays breakingdefence had an interesting snippet from the incoming US National Security Advisor:

"In his recent book The Field of Fight, Flynn wrote of the global terrorist threat that “we’re in a world war, but very few Americans recognize it, and fewer still have any idea how to win it.” Now that he is poised to serve as president-elect Donald Trump’s national security advisor, Flynn’s view of that global threat is likely to translate into a more aggressive campaign against the networks of Islamist extremists groups with ISIS and Al Qaeda at their center.
- signs of this have been embryonic in Libya (Maghreb politically should be counted into ME, as opposed to geography telling us otherwise), Somalia and Yemen

I wonder where the change will be first seen; Iraq has seen more artillerymen from the US than JSOC operators deployed (so far)?

So far, from Europe only the UK and France have done anything substantial, but recent events might broaden the front (?).
Ever-lasting truths: Multi-year budgets/ planning by necessity have to address the painful questions; more often than not the Either-Or prevails over Both-And.
If everyone is thinking the same, then someone is not thinking (attributed to Patton)

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Re: Middle East

Post by Frenchie »

On November 14 in Libya, two Rafale launched a total of three AASM bombs, which would have completely destroyed the building where would be gathered several highly sought after terrorist leaders. But we cuts a head, another comes out.

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Re: Middle East

Post by ArmChairCivvy »

Frenchie wrote: But we cuts a head, another comes out.
Frenchie, buy yourself a Christmas present (as this book comes to the same conclusion):

The Field of Fight: How We Can Win the Global War Against Radical Islam and Its Allies
Hardcover – July 12, 2016
Ever-lasting truths: Multi-year budgets/ planning by necessity have to address the painful questions; more often than not the Either-Or prevails over Both-And.
If everyone is thinking the same, then someone is not thinking (attributed to Patton)

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