BFBS Sitrep

The head of NATO issues his starkest warning yet about Russia’s readiness for war. We speak to Ed Arnold, a senior research fellow at the defence think-tank RUSI and a former infantry officer.

In Ukraine, drone warfare is reaching ever-more sophisticated levels. We look at how this single weapon is changing warfare with Dr. Ulrike Franke, a Senior Policy Fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations.

And the Royal Navy’s Carrier Strike Group makes its way through the Red Sea – what next for this projection of UK military power?  We get the thoughts of Commodore Steve Prest who was the Commander Weapon Engineer on Britain’s other carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth. He was also part of the top-level team that brought the QE out of build and into sea trials.

It’s the new defence masterplan for the next decade and beyond, but what does the Strategic Defence Review mean for the Armed Forces?

The lead military author of the review, General Sir Richard Barrons, joins a special live edition of Sitrep to explain the plan and answer your questions about how it should work.

Former Royal Navy Commander Tom Sharpe adds his insights to the discussion with Kate Gerbeau and Professor Michael Clarke.

The whole team will break down the big questions including the threats we face, how the job of the Armed Forces could change,  and when the PM’s target of warfighting readiness can be met.

It’s the new defence masterplan for the next decade and beyond, but what does the Strategic Defence Review mean for the Armed Forces?

The lead military author of the review, General Sir Richard Barrons, joins a special live edition of Sitrep to explain the plan and answer your questions about how it should work.

Former Royal Navy Commander Tom Sharpe adds his insights to the discussion with Kate Gerbeau and Professor Michael Clarke.

The whole team will break down the big questions including the threats we face, how the job of the Armed Forces could change,  and when the PM’s target of warfighting readiness can be met.

As the Royal Navy unveils HMS Venturer to the public for the first time – we ask, what hope does the first Inspiration Class Frigate offer a surface fleet short on ships and sailors?

Sitrep’s reporter David Sivills-McCann has all the answers - he witnessed the new type 31 frigate rolling out of the build hall in Rosyth. The former second sea lord and Babcock chief executive of marine Sir Nick Hine says the Royal Navy will love her.

We’ll also look at the German Chancellor's announcement that restrictions are lifted on long range Western weapons supplied to Ukraine – and that his country will help them make their own. It’s been a contentious issue for well over a year now - both before and after ATACMs and Storm Shadows were supplied to Ukraine. Sitrep’s Ukraine reporter Simon Newton tells us how significant this move is.

And the story of the secret unit set up in World War 2, to deceive, mis-inform and, on occasion, come up with believable lies. Terry Stiastny's new book examines the people and the tactics used by the Political Warfare Executive whose job it was to broadcast fake news to the occupied countries in World War 2. 

As the Royal Navy unveils HMS Venturer to the public for the first time – we ask, what hope does the first Inspiration Class Frigate offer a surface fleet short on ships and sailors?

Sitrep’s reporter David Sivills-McCann has all the answers - he witnessed the new type 31 frigate rolling out of the build hall in Rosyth. The former second sea lord and Babcock chief executive of marine Sir Nick Hine says the Royal Navy will love her.

We’ll also look at the German Chancellor's announcement that restrictions are lifted on long range Western weapons supplied to Ukraine – and that his country will help them make their own. It’s been a contentious issue for well over a year now - both before and after ATACMs and Storm Shadows were supplied to Ukraine. Sitrep’s Ukraine reporter Simon Newton tells us how significant this move is.

And the story of the secret unit set up in World War 2, to deceive, mis-inform and, on occasion, come up with believable lies. Terry Stiastny's new book examines the people and the tactics used by the Political Warfare Executive whose job it was to broadcast fake news to the occupied countries in World War 2. 

Keir Starmer says it puts Britain back on the world stage.  Some critics claim it could drag Britain into some kind of “EU army”.

Sitrep explains what is, and isn’t, included in the new 62-point defence partnership agreement, and what it might mean for our Armed Forces.

Amid intense scrutiny of past actions by UK Special Forces, and a former SAS commander’s warning about the “complete absence of a workable legal framework”, how can they be better held to public account while maintaining vital secrecy in their job to keep us safe?

And a reshuffle of Britain’s top brass is underway.  Mike talks us through the names in the frame, what they could bring to the jobs, and the challenges they’ll face.

Keir Starmer says it puts Britain back on the world stage.  Some critics claim it could drag Britain into some kind of “EU army”.

Sitrep explains what is, and isn’t, included in the new 62-point defence partnership agreement, and what it might mean for our Armed Forces.

Amid intense scrutiny of past actions by UK Special Forces, and a former SAS commander’s warning about the “complete absence of a workable legal framework”, how can they be better held to public account while maintaining vital secrecy in their job to keep us safe?

And a reshuffle of Britain’s top brass is underway.  Mike talks us through the names in the frame, what they could bring to the jobs, and the challenges they’ll face.

New satellite images show Russia’s building up its military presence on the border of Finland, as it reorganises and concentrates its military closer to NATO neighbours.

But is this preparation for war within years, or trying to maintain “peace through fear”? Mike explains what Russia’s doing with its forces, and Finnish OSINT analyst Emil Kastehelmi tells us what he’s found in the satellite images.

Sitrep also talks to the Forces Complaints Ombudsman who tells us why, despite ruling the complaints system still isn’t efficient, effective or fair, she believes servicemen and women can have confidence in it.

And former RAF pilot Scottie Bateman reveals some luxury secrets from his flights on the US President’s plane, Air Force One, and just what goes into making this flying fortress.

New satellite images show Russia’s building up its military presence on the border of Finland, as it reorganises and concentrates its military closer to NATO neighbours.

But is this preparation for war within years, or trying to maintain “peace through fear”? Mike explains what Russia’s doing with its forces, and Finnish OSINT analyst Emil Kastehelmi tells us what he’s found in the satellite images.

Sitrep also talks to the Forces Complaints Ombudsman who tells us why, despite ruling the complaints system still isn’t efficient, effective or fair, she believes servicemen and women can have confidence in it.

And former RAF pilot Scottie Bateman reveals some luxury secrets from his flights on the US President’s plane, Air Force One, and just what goes into making this flying fortress.

For 9 years in a row the service complaints system has been deemed to not be efficient, effective or fair by the watchdog that oversees it.

But despite that, and some of the high-profile stories of past failures, the Ombudsman says there’s been significant progress and that planned changes can deliver more improvements.

Sitrep talks at length to Mariette Hughes about why delays don’t just affect the people who do complain, what still needs to be done, and whether servicemen and women can have confidence in a system which isn’t efficient, effective or fair.