BFBS Radio Sitrep

In less than a year war has broken out in Europe, and Afghanistan has fallen to the Taliban.MPs say that means the UK’s new defence masterplan is already out of date, leaving British forces overstretched, vulnerable and too small.They Ministry of Defence says it will continue to adapt strategy, but the Commons Defence Committee wants a major update to the plan now.The committee’s chairman, Tobias Ellwood MP, talks to James Hirst about the impact on service personnel, his recent visit to Ukraine, and whether it’s the threats or our perceptions that have changed.

Scientists have spent years researching concepts including laser weapons and brain sensors for a new RAF plane called ‘Tempest’.Now ministers want those ideas turned into a working plane in just 5 years, but is it a gamble with the UK’s air capability?As British service personnel are banned from buying sex overseas BFBS Sitrep hears how brothels used to be unofficial parts of UK bases abroad.And we follow soldiers on exercise in an abandoned tower block in Leeds, as the Ukraine war demonstrates the need for urban combat experience which the army has little of.

The early days of the campaign to succeed Boris Johnson have seen a bidding war on defence spending from those hoping to replace him.BFBS Sitrep assess the defence legacy Mr Johnson will leave his successor and the challenges they’ll face.A former head of the Army tells us what he wants from whoever becomes the next Prime Minister.We also hear from two very different cities in Ukraine as we assess the state of the war there, and ask if the country’s plan to open new battlefront and retake the South is a risk too far.

Although cases of people serving in the armed forces taking their own lives are low – among men in the army the figures have been rising in recent years.Among some very specific groups of veterans the risk of suicide appears to be much higher – particularly younger men who only served a short time in the forces.As the government carries out research to understand why, BFBS Sitrep talks to a leading psychiatrist, a veteran with PTSD, and a campaigner who lost her husband to suicide about the true picture of suicide risks, how we can improve support, and the ways to help or get help.For more information visit bfbs.com/audience-support

The head of the Army has told his troops that they have a new main effort – Operation Mobilise.We’ll examine the plan for more of the Army to be ready more of the time for a high intensity war, and what that means for servicemen and women.NATO wants to make its high-readiness force more than seven times bigger, up to 300,000 troops, in little more than a year. But can it deliver?The diplomatic niceties have been dropped, leaders are upfront about Russia, so is it time to admit we’re in a second cold war?

The new Chief of General Staff has written to all soldiers saying they must be prepared to fight in Europe and defeat Russia in battle – so are we not ready for that right now?The internal letter has reached much further – BFBS Sitrep assesses its impact in Westminster, across the continent, and in the Kremlin.The Dutch Prime Minister has apologised to his country’s peacekeepers who were sent on an ‘impossible’ mission with ‘inadequate’ equipment in Bosnia in the 1990s. We hear how that war has also affected Britons who had to fight for their lives.And is it time to acknowledge North Korea as a nuclear power, amid signs the isolated communist state is about to carry out its 7thnuclear weapon test?

Ukraine says it urgently needs more weapons and ammunition from the west.BFBS Sitrep speaks to journalist Nicola Smith who’s on the ground near the biggest battleground and tells us about the tragedy unfolding in front of her.Professor Michael Clark explains why although weapons are on the way they won’t make an immediate difference.In Finland our reporter is with a Joint Expeditionary Force exercise where Ukraine is on everyone’s mind.And what do new soldiers want from the new head of the army as he starts his first week in the job?

40 years on from the liberation of the Falklands BFBS Sitrep hears the story of the final hours from those who were there – and examines the lessons of the conflict.The man who marched 3 Commando Brigade across miles of mud tells us how logistic difficulties left ammunition in the wrong place at the wrong time, putting individual operations on hold.The war might have been avoided if Britain hadn’t failed to convince Argentina it would defend the Falklands – is that a lesson we’ve actually learned in the era of war in Ukraine?And Professor Michael Clarke explains how modern warship designs owe much to the lessons of the Falklands campaign.

3 months after invading Ukraine, Russia appears to be on the brink of its first significant strategic victory – taking the whole of Luhansk province.Is this a turning point in the war, and is Ukraine now fighting a losing battle in that territory?BFBS Sitrep also digs into what the public at large are asking about the war – and Professor Michael Clarke will provide answers.Ukraine’s food exports usually feed 400 million people but are now blockaded. The former Commander of a British warship tells us how the Royal Navy might help.And has Joe Biden let the cat out of the bag on how the US would respond if Taiwan were invaded by China.

The daring amphibious landings of thousands of British troops was arguably the most perilous and pivotal moment of the Falklands war.40 years on BFBS Sitrep hears from key figures about how and why it enabled the liberation of the islands.But at sea 22 lives were lost in the operation, the man who was Captain of HMS Ardent tells us the story of its sinking, and how it still occasionally gives him nightmares.And as we assess the latest developments in Ukraine we ask if history has any lessons for Vladimir Putin as he’s accused of micromanaging Russia’s ‘special military operation’