BFBS Sitrep

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Award winning Defence podcast from BFBS.

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946 episodes
Updated Thursday

Episodes946

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Thursday · 47 min
Why are British tanks leaving Russia’s doorstep?
The official announcement of hundreds more British troops for Estonia, transitioning to a “mobile anti-armour” force, missed out one key detail.  It will end a decade of British tanks on Russia’s doostep, as Challenger 2’s are upgraded to become Challenger 3’sBFBS Forces News reporter James Wharton explains how he uncovered the story, and why it will mean the burden of Estonia deployments being differently spread among British soldiers.Troops will get new kit including
July 23 · 1 hr 3 min
Why the Armed Force Bill matters to servicemen and women
Armed Forces bills come round every five years and you might think they’re just a box ticking exercise to renew the legal basis of our military.But they’re so much more, affecting the lives, jobs, and safety of servicemen and women, plus their families.Sitrep explains key measures on military housing, justice, reserve forces, and protection of British bases from drones, currently going through Parliament.And Professor Michael Clarke gives us his take on what the new Prime
July 16 · 41 min
How the top British officer in NATO has filled gaps left by the US
The UK has joined other European allies to commit more military capability to NATO’s battle plans, after the US made cuts “with immediate effect”That’s been revealed to Sitrep by Air Chief Marshal Sir John Stringer, who just weeks into the job of Deputy Supreme Allied Commander had to source replacement capabilities and effectors from across the alliance.In a wide ranging conversation with Sitrep’s Simon Newton he explains how talks and offers began even before the US confirmed
July 9 · 44 min
NATO 3.0 – Installing update
Behind the political theatre $50bn worth of procurement plans were announced at the NATO summit, from artillery shells to airlift and space capabilities.Sitrep explains who’s buying what and why with the help of the UK’s first Director of Joint Warfare, retired Air Marshal Greg Bagwell.Professor Michael Clarke assesses whether this will improve Europe’s defences, or simply turn into a game of whack-a-mole filling gaps left by the US. And the alliance has rebranded it
July 2 · 51 min
Can the Defence Investment Plan deliver war-ready forces?
The lead military author of the Strategic Defence Review, General Sir Richard Barrons, gives his verdict on the DIP. “Doing the right thing, but not enough not quickly enough”He tells Kate Gerbeau why one of his biggest concerns is a lack of attention to Defence Medical Services and how that really matters for deterring enemies.Sian Grzeszczyk-Melbourne explains the impact on the day to day lives of forces personnel and families, including delays to accommodation repairs and the
June 25 · 46 min
Hands on with Ukraine’s battle transforming tech
From remote controlled bombs-on-wheels to fooling Russian missiles that they’re flying over Peru, Simon Newton has been in Ukraine looking their homegrown battlefield technologies.Professor Michael Clarke explains how, with the help of those technologies, Ukraine seems to have Russia on the back foot, but there’s still no end in sight to the war.And the head of the Army, General Sir Roly Walker, says the Ukraine war has “absolutely validated” British thinking about the future of
June 18 · 47 min
The Royal Navy’s Iran “peace deal” mission explained
From mine clearance to escorting tankers the UK and France promised to lead a “defensive” mission to reassure shipping “when conditions allow.”With the ink now dry on the first step of a US/Iran peace deal that mission looks like it’s about to go from plan to reality.Rear Admiral (retired) James Parkin shares his experience of leading a protective mission in the Strait, when Iran was seizing tankers in 2020. He also tells Sitrep just how tense it can be facing Iran’s Revolutiona
June 12 · 40 min
EXTRA – What now for defence after two damning resignations?
John Healey’s parting broadside as Defence Secretary, and Al Carns resignation as Armed Forces Minister, are clearly intended to jolt the government into a rethink of the Defence Investment Plan.  But will it work?Sitrep explains the difficult choices now facing by the new Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis, and how his experience in the Parachute Regiment might shape his approach.Professor Michael Clarke runs the numbers on the Defence Investment Plan which John Healey says
June 11 · 48 min
Spies target military personnel through ad data and fake jobs
MI5 says Chinese intelligence have been trying to lure military personnel into revealing secrets through fake job postings on sites like Linkedin, while the Pentagon reveals data gathered by legitimate advertisers has been scraped to target its troops in theatre.These are not just notional risks, but active exploits being used now. Former Army Intelligence officer Philip Ingram tells Sitrep how he was targeted by the Chinese scam, and explains what personnel can do to minimise the risk
June 7 · 37 min
EXTRA – How the tank changed the face of battle
The tank has been written off many times in history, even when the very first ones rolled onto the battlefield in World War One. But this British invention continues to shape the world. From its inception as a “land ship” to the battlefields of Ukraine, the story of the tank and those who have commanded them, are chronicled by Hamish de Bretton Gordon in his new book “Tank Command” He tells Kate Gerbeau how a risky experiment secured its ongoing place in
June 4 · 51 min
What to watch for when the DIP drops
The long-delayed Defence Investment Plan, to turn the future blueprint of the Armed Forces into reality, is in sight.  But with billions missing from the budget what do we need to look for when it arrives? What’s on the table, and where might the axe fall? Professor Michael Clarke and RUSI Director of Military Sciences Matthew Savill explain why spending on getting the best out of what we already have matters as much as what new kit will be ordered.<
May 28 · 42 min
British troops rehearse for war in Estonia
Exercise Spring Storm may be an annual event for NATO, but this time there’s no playing nicely with words.  The troops taking part say they are “rehearsing for war”, just miles from Russia.BFBS Forces News Reporter Rosie Laydon tells why this exercise feels different to the many she’s visited before, and talks us through the new tech being tested out by 2 Scots.We explain what other tech is in the pipeline for the Army, and how it could change soldiering, as Kate talks
May 28 · 31 min
EXTRA – Land ISTAR: The Army’s plan for data-driven dominance
Sitrep dives into the future of the Army and explains how a new generation of battlefield sensors and worldwide connectivity could transform British soldiering.The Land ISTAR programme will gather unprecedented battlefield insights and share them in real time, informing soldiers just a few metres away and at the same moment an HQ on the other side of the world. It won’t be a big bang event, it’s a long process, but its already connecting some existing systems with new cutti
May 21 · 53 min
Sitrep Live: “You’re either very stupid or very brave” – reflections on serving in Iraq
From invasion, through stabilisation and counter-insurgency to training Iraqi forces, Operation Telic involved more than 135,000 British servicemen and women from 2003 to 2011Fifteen years since the last troops left Sitrep talks to three veterans of Iraq to reflect on the jobs they did, the sacrifices made, and how the legacy looks today with more distance and time.In a special edition from the National Memorial Arboretum James Wharton, Duane Gardner, and Kevin Robinson share th
May 14 · 48 min
British warships head to the Arctic and Middle East
The Royal Navy, already thinly stretched, is now sending HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Duncan to the High North, while HMS Dragon heads in the other direction to loiter for a possible mission in the Strait of Hormuz. Both high profile deployments come with some big questions. Is an aircraft carrier the best way to deter Russian submarines? And if Dragon is waiting for an end to fighting between the US and Iran, what job for it to do there? Retired Commodore S
May 7 · 41 min
Ukrainian drones learn from 4 years of war
Ukraine has amassed so much battlefield footage from drones that it would take more than 200 years to watch. Now it’s using that footage, with machine learning, to teach drones to become more lethal.Simon Newton explains how the country has made breakthroughs that allow the devices to identify not only potential targets, but also their most vulnerable spots.The work could also have benefits for the UK with talk that massive pool of training data could be shared with allies.
May 7 · 22 min
EXTRA - “Security Through Cooperation”
Across three decades Rose Gottemoeller has had a ringside seat at key moments in the changing relationship between Russia, the US, and allies like the UK.As a former Deputy Secretary General of NATO and U.S. Undersecretary of State she’s seen the highs, as well as the lows.Rose talks to Kate Gerbeau about those experiences, and the driving mission behind her new book “Security Through Cooperation”In it she sets out to debunk President Putin’s narrative that the US is dete
April 30 · 46 min
A bitter pill - Justice vs Reconciliation for Northern Ireland’s troubles
Three decades since the end of the troubles the legacy on Northern Ireland is affecting today’s Armed Forces, with growing talk it’s damaging recruitment and driving some to leave service.The Northern Ireland Secretary promised additional protections for veterans to help as the save his legacy bill from running out of parliamentary time, but it remains hugely divisive.Sitrep explains the complexities of laying the past to rest in way that could satisfy all, and asks one veteran
April 23 · 49 min
Japan rejects pacifism, what does that mean for the UK?
Japan eases restrictions in defence exports, taking a step away from decades of self-imposed pacifism after the Second World War. On Sitrep, we ask, what will they be selling and will the UK buy any of it?Searching for the next generation of Gurkha soldiers – we’re on the road in Nepal with the recruiters battling with bribery and corruption. Also on Sitrep, how do you prepare for peace while war rages? A career diplomat explores the people and events in the Foreign Office during World War 2.
April 16 · 50 min
Is the UK now too late to be ready for war?
When they still don’t know what equipment they will get, and when, it’s extremely hard for  the UK’s Armed Forces deliver on their mission to be ready for war. But the clock is ticking ever louder, so how long have they got?Professor Michael Clarke and Dr. Jack Watling explain the types of conflict that could lie ahead, when they could happen, and what we need to be ready for those risks.And as the Chief of Defence Staff reveals a new national War Book is b