Photo: MoD
A contract with British defence firm MBDA will guarantee the supply of weapons for the next five years, Vigilance can reveal.
Carried by RAF Tornados, Brimstone has been used extensively on operations in Afghanistan. The air-to-ground weapons provide unrivalled capability to pilots who are able to engage moving and static targets at both day and night.
With a small warhead and precision guidance capability, using Brimstone significantly reduces the risk of collateral damage.
Manufactured and assembled by MBDA in the UK, the contract will secure 20 specialist jobs at their facilities in Henlow, Bedfordshire and Lostock, Bolton.
Announcing the contract at the Dubai Air Show, Minister for Defence, Equipment, Support and Technology Philip Dunne said: “Brimstone missiles provide unrivaled precision capability and are key to protecting our forces in Afghanistan. Designed and manufactured in the UK, these weapons have continued to prove their effectiveness on operations. This contract will ensure our Brimstone missiles are fully primed for use with the RAF for years to come.”
Air Cdre Mike Quigley, Head of Engineering in the Weapons Operating Centre in the MOD’s Defence, Equipment and Support Organisation said: “Brimstone plays a vital part in our modern and sophisticated arsenal of precision strike weapons and securing this contract means a consistent delivery of weapons to the RAF as and when they are needed.”
The missile is currently deployed on Tornado GR4, with an intention to integrate Brimstone onto the RAF’s Typhoon aircraft and the future Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter jets.
HMS Illustrous arrives in Singapore
Photo: MoD
Also in another development the Royal Navy amphibious helicopter carrier HMS Illustrious is en route to the Philippines to assist in the humanitarian relief effort, to take over from HMS Daring in due course.
The Portsmouth based amphibious helicopter carrier and associated air group has been tasked to assist with the humanitarian effort following the devastation caused by Typhoon Haiyan.
HMS Illustrious had been on patrol on counter piracy duties in the area around Horn of Africa. The 4500 mile voyage to thePhilippines is expected to take around ten days. HMS Illustrious will relieve Royal Navy Type 45 Destroyer HMS Daring which is spearheading the UK’s initial response.
HMS Illustrious carries a range of utility helicopters which are likely to be essential in moving people and consignments of aid around the country until the infrastructure can be repaired, she also has a large flight deck that can be used by other helicopters already in the region
If necessary, “Lusty” can offer humanitarian assistance including supply of fresh water and food and the provision of medical and engineering teams.
Defence Secretary, Philip Hammond said: HMS Illustrious will increase the UK's contributions to disaster relief operations in thePhilippines with a greater number of helicopters available for humanitarian assistance. The ship's company will be able to increase the current medical, fresh water and airlift capabilities that will be provided by HMS Daring when she arrives on station shortly.
Our helicopter carrier will also provide additional capacity as an operating platform for other helicopters involved in the relief operation.
The Commanding Officer of HMS Illustrious, Captain Mike Utley said: “We are very well configured and trained to render the kind of assistance we believe is needed in the Philippines in support of the international aid effort. The young sailors and airmen in my crew have seen the news reports coming in from the Philippines and no one is in any doubt of the scale of the task ahead of us, but all want to help in whatever way they can. I am very proud indeed of the way they have reacted to this.”
He continued: “We are used to operating with embedded teams from the army and the RAF. In addition, we have repeatedly proven our ability to interoperate with other nations including the United States and civilian aid organisations with whom we expect to see a lot of interaction. As always, we will be ready for anything.”
HMS Illustrious carries Sea King MK 4, Merlin HM1 and Lynx Mk 7 helicopters. She also has J Company 42 Commando Royal Marines embarked alongside her crew of approximately 650 men and women.
HMS Illustrious has been deployed in the Middle East on operations since mid September as part of the UK’s Maritime Response Force Task Group (RFTG). The RFTG is the United Kingdom’s high readiness maritime force, comprising ships, submarines, aircraft and a landing force of Royal Marines, at short notice to act in response to any contingency tasking if required.