Security cleared jobs news roundup: December 2023
Keep up-to-date with some of the biggest stories in the world of security cleared jobs in our monthly roundup.
We’re rounding up some of the biggest security cleared stories of the past few weeks. In December, British Army drones were used in training in Japan for the first time, the UK provided basic training to Ukrainian pilots, HMS Diamond joined the new Red Sea mission and new veterans ID cards are set to be rolled out.
British Army drones flown in Japan
For the first time, British Army drones have been flown in Japan, where they were used during live firing training. Directing mortar fire, the drones were part of Exercise Vigilant Isles 23 (Ex VI23) conducted by the Japanese 1st Airborne Brigade.
British Army units from 1 Royal Gurkha Rifles (1RGR), 16 Air Assault Brigade and 3 SCOTS also took part in the exercise. Troops from 21 Air Assault Battery, 32 Regiment Royal Artillery launched a Puma UAS while working with a 1RGR mortar platoon to identify impact locations and make adjustments.
Sergeant Scott Jackson of 21 Air Assault Battery, said: “In this terrain we have provided normal camera footage as well as infra-red footage which means we have been able to fly during the day and night. There is software within the system that enables us to take a still of artillery rounds landing on the ground. We can then plot where a round has landed and where we are trying to hit, and the system will generate adjustments to ensure the accuracy of guns or mortars.”
UK provides basic training to Ukrainian pilots
The first group of Ukrainian pilots to be trained by the RAF have completed the programme and moved on to learn to fly F-16 fighter jets in Denmark. Six experienced Ukrainian combat fighter pilots began the training in August as part of the UK’s contribution to the international Air Force Capability Coalition for Ukraine to bolster the war-struck nation’s air capabilities.
A second cohort of ten trainee pilots remain in the UK after completing the language programme. They’ll now receive practical basic flight training, as well as learning vital combat skills, such as aviation medicine and centrifuge training.
Grant Shapps, defence secretary, said: “I am proud of the support the Royal Air Force is providing to the next generation of Ukraine’s combat air pilots and ground crew, who will be the first line of defence in protecting Ukraine’s skies. The UK has been instrumental in building Ukraine’s air defences since Putin launched his full-scale invasion, providing hundreds of missiles and munitions, as well as radar and weapons systems.”
HMS Diamond joins new international Red Sea mission
HMS Diamond has been deployed to the Red Sea as part of an international naval force to safeguard shipping. Operation Prosperity Guardian is a joint effort between the UK, USA, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles and Spain.
The Red Sea is one of the world’s most important shipping lanes and has recently come under attack repeatedly with drones fired by Houthi rebels in Yemen. US, French and British warships have all been called upon to take out the threats with air defence missiles.
United Kingdom Maritime Component Commander Commodore Phil Dennis, the senior Royal Navy officer in the Middle East, said: “The hostile actions of the Houthis, with their attacks on merchant vessels in the southern Red Sea, are a clear threat to the global economy and challenge the security, stability, and prosperity of all.”
New veterans ID cards to be rolled out
Veterans’ Cards are to be rolled out by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and Office for Veterans’ Affairs to all service personnel who left the Armed Forces before December 2018. They will enable veterans to quickly verify their status in order to access public and charitable sector support and to provide a recognition of their service.
The service has been assessed by the Central Digital and Data Office and will officially launch at the end of January 2024. Since December 2018, the MOD has issued all service leavers with a physical veterans’ card as part of their service leavers pack automatically, so the new cards will be an addition to the already established scheme.
Johnny Mercer MP, minister for veterans’ affairs, said: “Veteran cards provide ex-service men and women with a tangible connection to the important contributions they have made to the defence of our nation.”