Defence Archives

Research Briefing

Leaving the EU

Monday, 01 July, 2013

The Treaty on European Union provides for a Member State to leave the EU, either on the basis of a negotiated withdrawal agreement or without one. If the UK were to leave the EU following a referendum, it is likely that the Government would negotiate an agreement with the EU, which would probably contain transitional arrangements as well as provide for the UK’s long-term future relations with the EU. There is no precedent for such an agreement, but it would in all likelihood come at the end of complex and lengthy negotiations.
Research Briefing

The Ushakov Medal

Friday, 21 June, 2013
Research Briefing

In brief: Iraq abuse judgment of May 2013

Monday, 10 June, 2013
Research Briefing

Obama and Iran’s 2013 elections: The role of presidents in the nuclear crisis

Monday, 03 June, 2013

Iran's presidential election, due on 14 june, is unlikely to change Iranian policy over nuclear enrichment.
Research Briefing

In brief: UK withdrawal from Afghanistan

Friday, 24 May, 2013

The drawdown of British troops in Afghanistan has begun. The number of British troops in Afghanistan will be reduced to 5,200 by the end of 2013.
Research Briefing

In brief: Future Reserves 2020

Friday, 10 May, 2013

The Defence Reform Bill announced during the Queen’s Speech 2013 will increase the size and role of the Reserve Forces. This note provides a short overview of the changes proposed to the Reserve Forces.
Research Briefing

In brief: Outsourcing defence procurement

Friday, 10 May, 2013

The Defence Reform Bill will allow the Government to proceed with its plans to change the way defence equipment is procured.
Research Briefing

Military Search and Rescue to end in 2016

Thursday, 25 April, 2013

The Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy will no longer provide a Search and Rescue Helicopter service in the UK after March 2016. A wholly civilian service run by Bristow Helicopters Ltd and managed by the Department for Transport will provide the Search and Rescue Helicopter capability for the UK.
Research Briefing

Military forces in Syria and the rise of the jihadis

Wednesday, 17 April, 2013

Sunni fundamentalist groups are now thought by some to be the most important force in the Syrian rebellion.
Research Briefing

Defence Estate Rationalisation

Tuesday, 16 April, 2013

This note provides a summary of the main changes to the defence estate that have been announced since the Army basing review was published in March 2013. Further decisions on aspects of the defence estate, including the training estate and the Reserves estate are expected to be made over the course of 2013. This note will be updated as and when those plans are announced.
Research Briefing

Army Basing Review 2013

Wednesday, 03 April, 2013

The outcome of the Army Basing Review was announced on 5 March 2013. This note summarises the main changes envisaged under those plans and where they differ from the previous basing decisions announced in 2011.
Research Briefing

Arctic Star and Bomber Command Clasp: Eligibility and How to Apply

Tuesday, 26 February, 2013
- Research Briefing
- Defence
Research Briefing

Justice and Security Bill [HL] Committee Stage Report

Tuesday, 26 February, 2013

This paper has been produced following the Committee Stage of the Justice and Security Bill in the House of Commons, which took place between 29 January and 7 February 2013. The Bill, which has proved contentious, was originally introduced in the House of Lords on 28 May 2012. It is aimed at modernising and strengthening the oversight of the intelligence and security services and would allow the civil courts to use ‘closed material procedures’ to hear sensitive evidence in cases that raised national security concerns. It would also preclude the courts from ordering the disclosure of sensitive information in certain circumstances. The Bill was revised significantly in the Lords and was introduced in the House of Commons on 28 November 2012. Second Reading took place on 18 December 2012. A number of noteworthy and controversial amendments were made to the Bill in Committee.
Research Briefing

The crisis in Mali: current military action and upholding humanitarian law

Tuesday, 05 February, 2013

This note describes the current military intervention in Mali, led by France, which began on 11 January as a reaction to the southward advance of militant Islamist armed groups with links to al-Qaeda. It also looks at the intervention in the context of upholding humanitarian law.
Research Briefing

Nuclear test veterans – compensation

Friday, 01 February, 2013

A group of 1,011 services veterans and civilians from the UK, Fiji and New Zealand have attempted to obtain a compensation hearing against the Ministry of Defence relating to alleged illnesses caused by exposure to radiation in nuclear weapons tests during the 1950s. However, in March 2012 the Supreme Court ruled against the Atomic Veterans’ case proceeding and the Government says it has no plans to pay compensation.

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