The first paragraph of the next PSL blog on OP KEYSTONE - a TOP SECRET 1984 intelligence mission involving RN, RFA and RAF units sneaking into the Barents sea, stealing Soviet navigation buoys and sinking others with gunfire, and the diplomatic incident that followed...

6 Weeks ago I ordered a new credit card. It was dispatched via Royal Mail with a delivery date of Thu 21st March. It has just been delivered today (27 April).

Impressive even by their low standards!

I think its fascinating to see the way some people have changed on their journey from sceptic to convert...

For Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists: Matthew Savill and I outline the growing escalatory risks posed by Iran’s advanced #nuclear programme as #Iran and #Israel move from their ‘shadow war’ to direct attacks against each other’s territories.

thebulletin.org/2024/04/why-ir…

An incredible 1993 letter from First Sea Lord Admiral Bathurst to Vice Admiral Cairns, Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy, encouraging Canada to express interest in the UPHOLDER class submarines, and being deeply critical, implicitly, of plans to scrap these vessels.

Delighted to see that Medical Branch Ratings now have a path to become Doctors within the Royal Navy without having to leave the service! Med School while earning a salary, military pension and having tuition fees paid is awesome! #medschool #doctor 🩺

Tough decision time - is the next PSL blog the long read on RN Cold War submarine missions including new details, or is it a 'quick read' about an RN intelligence operation involving machine gun fire, a diplomatic spat, and most unusual cargo shipment...

Thoughts?

What wonderful news.

God Save The King.

Wildcat helicopters from 815 Naval Air Squadron worked with four P2000s in the fjords of #Norway for a game of cat and mouse in Exercise Tamber Shield. Alongside HMS Biter, HMS Exploit, @HMS_blazer and HMS Trumpeter, the Wildcats were tasked with finding and targeting Norwegian vessels.

#RoyalNavy destroyer HMS Diamond shot down a missile fired by the Iranian-backed Houthis from Yemen.

The Type 45 used her world-class Sea Viper missile system to destroy the missile targeting a merchant vessel in the Gulf of Aden.

Tough decision time - is the next PSL blog the long read on RN Cold War submarine missions including new details, or is it a 'quick read' about an RN intelligence operation involving machine gun fire, a diplomatic spat, and most unusual cargo shipment...

Thoughts?

A very personal thinkpiece here on the potential challenges ahead if NATO or UK troops were to be deployed in Ukraine.

An unexpected Archives find. The file on the original RAF Air Staff Requirement for the Nimrod R1 back from the 1960s - a fascinating read!

Definitely agree - this is a ship whose crew were from across the UK and wider Commonwealth, but who were made in the Royal Navy.