BFBS Sitrep

Rishi Sunak wanted one of the UK’s top generals to be the next National Security Adviser, but Keir Starmer has decided to readvertise the job.

So far it’s always been a civilian, but would a top-ranking officer make more sense? The UK’s first ever National Security Adviser, Lord Peter Ricketts, tells us what the role involves and shares his thoughts along with ex Royal Navy officer Professor Peter Roberts.

Jamie Gordon from BFBS podcast Mavgeeks reflects on the legacy, and hair-raising flying, of one of the founders of the RAF Red Arrows, Squadron Leader Henry Prince.

And despite a career where he’s been captured and tortured, decorated for his SAS service, and sold more than 15 million copies of Bravo Two Zero, Andy McNab tells us why reading a “Janet and John” book was the moment that made him.

Rishi Sunak wanted one of the UK’s top generals to be the next National Security Adviser, but Keir Starmer has decided to readvertise the job.

So far it’s always been a civilian, but would a top-ranking officer make more sense? The UK’s first ever National Security Adviser, Lord Peter Ricketts, tells us what the role involves and shares his thoughts along with ex Royal Navy officer Professor Peter Roberts.

Jamie Gordon from BFBS podcast Mavgeeks reflects on the legacy, and hair-raising flying, of one of the founders of the RAF Red Arrows, Squadron Leader Henry Prince.

And despite a career where he’s been captured and tortured, decorated for his SAS service, and sold more than 15 million copies of Bravo Two Zero, Andy McNab tells us why reading a “Janet and John” book was the moment that made him.

The UK’s first sovereign military satellite, Tyche, is now in orbit.  It’s the first piece of a planned constellation of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance orbiters, at a cost approaching one billion pounds.

Former Royal Navy officer Darren Jones, from Tyche’s manufacturer, explains what capability it can offer the Armed Forces, while Professor Michael Clarke and Juliana Suess from RUSI discuss the value of spending in space from a hard-pressed defence budget.

Three years since Afghanistan fell, once again, to the Taliban, Sitrep hears one Afghan commando’s story of trying to fight back and eventually escaping.

And former submarine captain Ryan Ramsay shares the moment that made him, while serving on exchange with the US Navy.

The UK’s first sovereign military satellite, Tyche, is now in orbit.  It’s the first piece of a planned constellation of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance orbiters, at a cost approaching one billion pounds.

Former Royal Navy officer Darren Jones, from Tyche’s manufacturer, explains what capability it can offer the Armed Forces, while Professor Michael Clarke and Juliana Suess from RUSI discuss the value of spending in space from a hard-pressed defence budget.

Three years since Afghanistan fell, once again, to the Taliban, Sitrep hears one Afghan commando’s story of trying to fight back and eventually escaping.

And former submarine captain Ryan Ramsay shares the moment that made him, while serving on exchange with the US Navy.

Is this Chess, or Russian Roulette? Professor Michael Clarke explains why Ukraine has chosen a path with big risks, but also potentially big rewards by taking the fight to Russia on its own turf in Kursk.

Sitrep’s Simon Newton analyses the forces and movements of each side as we assess how this could develop and affect the war.

75 years since the Geneva Conventions created a rulebook for the conduct of war their effectiveness is facing big questions.  Military ethics lecturer David Rodin sets out the case for new rules that would give different rights to troops depending on whether they are defending their country or attacking another.

And decorated high-threat bomb disposal operator Kim Hughes tells us how an unwelcome assignment as a driver in Northern Ireland became the moment that made him.

Is this Chess, or Russian Roulette? Professor Michael Clarke explains why Ukraine has chosen a path with big risks, but also potentially big rewards by taking the fight to Russia on its own turf in Kursk.

Sitrep’s Simon Newton analyses the forces and movements of each side as we assess how this could develop and affect the war.

75 years since the Geneva Conventions created a rulebook for the conduct of war their effectiveness is facing big questions.  Military ethics lecturer David Rodin sets out the case for new rules that would give different rights to troops depending on whether they are defending their country or attacking another.

And decorated high-threat bomb disposal operator Kim Hughes tells us how an unwelcome assignment as a driver in Northern Ireland became the moment that made him.

Sitrep’s looking into the role of the Russian mercenary group, Wagner, after reports of fierce fighting in the West African country of Mali and asking why this conflict has caused a diplomatic row between Mali and Ukraine? 

And where is the balance between the needs of the military and the needs of the media? Sitrep will discuss that with the former Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe, General Sir Richard Shirreff, and Mark Urban, former Defence Editor at BBC Newsnight. 

And Sitrep has the latest in its series, The Moment that Made Me - this week there’s a powerful account from Major General Chip Chapman about what he learnt during the Battle for Goose Green in the Falklands. 

Sitrep’s looking into the role of the Russian mercenary group, Wagner, after reports of fierce fighting in the West African country of Mali and asking why this conflict has caused a diplomatic row between Mali and Ukraine? 

And where is the balance between the needs of the military and the needs of the media? Sitrep will discuss that with the former Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe, General Sir Richard Shirreff, and Mark Urban, former Defence Editor at BBC Newsnight. 

And Sitrep has the latest in its series, The Moment that Made Me - this week there’s a powerful account from Major General Chip Chapman about what he learnt during the Battle for Goose Green in the Falklands. 

Most servicemen and women are getting a 6% pay rise, twice the rate of inflation.  The government says it’s the biggest increase for more than 20 years.

But in real terms pay has been falling for a decade, and satisfaction with it is at a record low. Sitrep talks to the Defence Veterans and People Minister, Alistair Carns, to ask whether it’s really enough, and why accommodation costs are also rising despite numerous problems.

Ukraine appears to have received the first of its long awaited F16 fighter jets.  We explain the challenges it faces to put them into action, and how much difference they could eventually make.

And Liz McConaghy tells us why, after loving her seventeen year career on RAF Chinooks, the moment that made her was recovering from an attempt to end her own life.  Parts of her story are distressing, but her fightback is also inspiring.  Information about support is available at https://forcesnews.com/audiencesupport

Most servicemen and women are getting a 6% pay rise, twice the rate of inflation.  The government says it’s the biggest increase for more than 20 years.

But in real terms pay has been falling for a decade, and satisfaction with it is at a record low. Sitrep talks to the Defence Veterans and People Minister, Alistair Carns, to ask whether it’s really enough, and why accommodation costs are also rising despite numerous problems.

Ukraine appears to have received the first of its long awaited F16 fighter jets.  We explain the challenges it faces to put them into action, and how much difference they could eventually make.

And Liz McConaghy tells us why, after loving her seventeen year career on RAF Chinooks, the moment that made her was recovering from an attempt to end her own life.  Parts of her story are distressing, but her fightback is also inspiring.  Information about support is available at https://forcesnews.com/audiencesupport