BFBS Sitrep

British military planners are working with allies on how to make the Strait of Hormuz “safe and accessible”. The PM says it’s important we get the route open, but how and when could it be done?
Former Royal Navy Weapon Engineering Officer, Commodore Steve Prest, tells Sitrep what capabilities are needed, and why the announced two-week ceasefire isn’t enough to start the job.
With the US and Iran both claiming victory, Professor Michael Clarke explains why they “scared themselves” into the deal, and how the war could spiral out of control if it restarts.
And with the world distracted from Ukraine, Simon Newton updates us on why President Zelensky believes his forces are in their best position for nearly a year.

The UK’s defence plans have relied, for decades, on the assumption that America will help us in a crisis. But we can’t assume that any more, so what are those plans worth now?
Sitrep explains the findings of MPs and Peers who say we must end our “deep dependence” on the US, for everything from software updates for planes to nuclear capable missiles.
Former National Security adviser Lord Ricketts tells Kate Gerbeau where the biggest risks are, and how long it could take to cut UK military dependence on the US.
And as President Trump threatens, again, to pull the US out of NATO former MoD official Matthew Savill explains why a “quiet quitting” by the US is more likely and just how exposed it could still leave us.

20 years ago the “future infantry structure” plan provoked outrage.
To reshape a shrunken army some historic regiments were amalgamated, losing names and cap badges, while others were closed altogether.
Two decades later, those regiments that were created have their own histories, and bonds forged in battle.
So was the pain worth it, and with all that’s changed since is it time for another round of mergers?

Tens-of-thousands of Ukrainian troops have been trained in the UK on Operation Interflex, but Ukraine says our trainers now lack “modern combat experience”, and that the lessons would be more effective delivered at home.
Simon Newton explains the practical considerations and why this will be an evolution of Op. Interflex, not end to it.
Also on Sitrep a senior Army officer blames failures to correctly operate and maintain Ajax armoured vehicles for more than 30 soldiers falling ill on exercise.
Former tank commander Hamish de Bretton-Gordon explains how regular checks of tracks, and a new automatic tension system might finally solve the vibration problems.

There are only so many weapons in the world to go round, so the laws of supply and demand leave Ukraine struggling even more to get what it desperately needs.
And Russia’s been thrown an economic lifeline by a double whammy of surging gas and oil prices, along with weakened sanctions.
Professor Michael Clarke explains how all this will impact the battlefield, and Colin Freeman gives us insights from his latest visit to Ukraine.
Also on Sitrep, some of Britain’s top Army officers are reshuffled in the name of strengthening our contribution to NATO. Lieutenant General Sir Simon Mayall, former Deputy Chief of Defence Staff, tells all about the jobs and people involved.