Army-Land Component

In related news, the Brits are to accelerate acquisition and programme numbers of its planned Boxer chassis KNDS 155mm Howitzer.

This revolutionary gun platform uses computerised targeting and stabilisation systems in order to fire accurately while on the move. The main armament can also be used as a direct fire weapon to take out battlefield threats within visible range. Now I don't know about you guys, but I would pay real money to see a 40,000 metre range gun take out a Russian MBT at <1,000 metres.

Furthermore, the system is so automated that it is expected it will be able to be used as a fully autonomous unmanned drone unit, limited only by road fuel and ammunition. Though the limits of this remain understandably classified.

The LwCLU is a new lighter and smaller launch unit with better optics and reportedly twice the detection and tracking capability.

Given that the number purchased (36) is exactly equal to the Block 1 units purchased over twenty years ago, there is a high possibility this is a like for like replacement of older units approaching obsolescence rather than adding additional units to the inventory.

It does however confirm the Javelin will remain in use here for the medium term.

The new combat clothing system has been re-tendered….which was quick

Provision of Defence Forces Combat Uniform Systems (DFCUS) to the Irish Defence Forces

Description: The Irish Defence Forces (DF) intends to invite submissions from companies/organisations/consortiums for the Provision of the Defence Forces Combat Uniform Systems (DFCUS) from suitably qualified providers with appropriate expertise in the field of manufacturing and supply of proven operational military uniform systems. The DFCUS will be a multi-layered integrated uniform system in the newly developed Irish Transitional Multicam Pattern (ITMP) that utilises improved fabric technologies and fits to provide an improved uniform system to the personnel of the DF. The system will include an increased range of sizes and will see the introduction of a female fit across multiple garments.

I heard that.

Seems an odd concept. Volunteers to defend power plants, airports and telecoms hubs. With what, .303 rifles? Surely thats what the Army, or at least the T.A. are meant to do?

The whole idea reminds me of when society fell apart after the nuclear war in the movie 'Threads', and the Traffic Wardens ended up guarding the food warehouses with L1A1 SLRs on a 'shoot to kill' basis.

I think the UK Home Guard was briefly reformed during the Korean war?

Must check…I'm a member of the home guard club. Great place to watch sport an very cheap booze

I know, I was just using the TA reference tongue in cheek because of the Dad's Army headlines that this idea has generated.

In point of fact, after the huge exercise that was undertaken to integrate the Reserve into a single force structure of the British Army, the whole idea of a bunch of local volunteers on-call to protect major strategic assets, seems even more bizarre.

Surely the defence of airports and power stations and comms hubs is a role for the Police in the first instance and then the Army and Air Force in times of crisis and emergency, be it in the form of reserve personnel or not.

Is that to be worn at all times off base in theatre, or is for certain tasks?