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BFBS Sitrep

BFBS Radio

Award winning Defence podcast from BFBS.

news news commentary

All Episodes

38:39

The military drone revolution explained

BFBS Sitrep ·

2025/04/24

Drones have come of age in Ukraine, ruling the battlefield and overtaking artillery as the leading cause of casualties.Kate and Mike are joined by RAF veteran Dr Keith Dear to explain how small devices once designed for consumers are now not only flying spies, but also lethal weapons that have radically changed the way land battles are fought.Ukrainian drone-experts are reported to be training British troops as part of Operation Interflex. So what can we learn from their experiences, and can we be

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44:19

Will fighting end the Ukraine war before diplomacy?

BFBS Sitrep ·

2025/04/17

The death and destruction in Ukraine has only intensified in the two months since Donald Trump unilaterally announced peace talks, and the one month since Ukraine offered a 30-day ceasefire.With diplomacy having delivered nothing so far Sitrep explains how the war has played out in that time, who has the battlefield momentum, and the potential paths ahead.Equipment is key to Ukraine’s chances but a leaked German assessment says high-end tanks, like the Leopard 2, sometimes cause problems rather than

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35:02

HMS Prince of Wales ready for a deployment of firsts

BFBS Sitrep ·

2025/04/10

The Royal Navy’s newest aircraft carrier will be accompanied by more than 3000 servicemen and women, up to 24 RAF fighter jets, four British ships and four more from allies to sail as a carrier strike group halfway round the world.But it is a considerably more dangerous world than four years ago when a British carrier group last sailed to the Indo-Pacific.Retired Commodore Steve Prest tells us what threats the vessels could face in the Red Sea and the capabilities they have to protect themselves,

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42:59

Minerals, nuclear weapons and the battle for the Arctic

BFBS Sitrep ·

2025/04/03

The world’s biggest military powers are all jockeying for position in and around the Arctic, starkly illustrated by Donald Trump’s demands for the US to buy Greenland even though it’s already NATO territory.Sitrep explains the melting pot of strategic positioning, potential trade routes, and natural resources that are driving shows of military force, including by the UK, in the High North.Arctic expert Professor Caroline Kennedy-Pipe tells us the US can already put as many military bases as it wants

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45:32

Could Europe go it alone for nuclear defence?

BFBS Sitrep ·

2025/03/27

The head of NATO says nothing can replace the US nuclear umbrella as the ultimate guarantee of our security, and “Europe needs to know Uncle Sam still has our back”But amid doubts about US commitment there is talk creating a comprehensive European nuclear capability without American-owned weapons. Could the UK and France really provide a Europe only deterrent? And if so, should they?Sitrep compares our capabilities with the rest of the world and explains the complex thinking behind history’s

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49:34

How can bullying and abuse of servicewomen be stopped?

BFBS Sitrep ·

2025/03/20

The head of the Army has spoken of his “anger and shame” after more than a thousand women shared stories of harassment, bullying and much worse while they served their country.Another set of changes have been announced to try to stop unacceptable behaviours, including a tri-service unit to take over the most serious complaints from the chain of command. But is it enough?Sitrep explains the detail of the changes and talks to two veterans, who are also leading advocates for women in the forces.Former

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41:52

What would a Ukraine ceasefire look like on the...

BFBS Sitrep ·

2025/03/13

Sitrep assesses how the 30-day ceasefire, offered by Ukraine, could work in reality. Would troops just stay in place and dig in, or might they have to pull back from a buffer zone?It is a tactical trade-off by Kyiv which gives it back US military aid and intelligence, and forces Russia onto the diplomatic back foot.Professor Michael Clarke explains which side has most to gain from a pause to rest and re-equip while former head of the Army, General Lord Dannatt, shares lessons from Bosnia suggesting

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29:00

EXTRA – Should the US still hold NATO’s top military...

BFBS Sitrep ·

2025/03/13

The highest command in the world’s most powerful military alliance has always been held by a top American officer, almost always with a British deputy.But as the Trump administration tells Europe the US will do less, and we’ve got to do much more for our own defence, should the Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) become a European job?Kate Gerbeau talks to General Philip Breedlove, who was SACEUR from 2013-2016, about what the role involves, how much influence it wields, and how much difference

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41:18

Can Ukraine still adapt and survive?

BFBS Sitrep ·

2025/03/06

Whatever you think of how President Trump said it to President Zelensky, the fact is Ukraine is not in good position.That was made worse by the freezing of US military aid, and crucial moment-by-moment intelligence.Sitrep explains how that has left Ukraine “blindfolded with one hand tied behind its back” and assesses its options to stay in the fight or even strengthen its position for any talks.Former UK military attaché to Ukraine John Foreman tells us the country’s ground capability still remains

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37:00

Billions more for the Armed Forces… but spend it wisely

BFBS Sitrep ·

2025/02/27

We now have a deadline for the UK to spend 2.5% of national income on defence and it’s much sooner than anyone expected. But cash doesn’t just turn into military might.There are many things you could spend it on. People? Hardware? Training? The real question is what you should spend it on, for the right capabilities at the right times.There are urgent priorities to rapidly improve defence of our own doorstep as the US pulls back, but we still need to plan for long term battle-winning edge.Professor

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14:05

EXTRA – Defence spending lessons from the Cold War

BFBS Sitrep ·

2025/02/27

In the 1970’s and 1980’s the UK typically spent 4-5% of its national income on Defence, but what did that money buy and what did our Armed Forces spend their time doing?Kate Gerbeau and Professor Michael Clarke talk to historian Ian J Sanders, host of the Cold War Conversations podcast, for a history lesson on how we deployed our military capability to protect Europe from a Russian led threat.Times may have changed a lot, countries like Poland and Estonia which were part of the enemy bloc back then

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34:22

Britain prepares for possible boots in Ukraine

BFBS Sitrep ·

2025/02/20

Despite the many uncertainties about a possible peace-deal for Ukraine, Britain’s Defence Secretary says the detail is being developed for a European led security guarantee.Former head of the Army General Lord Dannatt warns that while the Prime Minister is ready and willing to commit British troops, the Army is willing but not ready.Sitrep assesses how many people and what equipment it might be required, exactly what the role of such a force could be, how long it might be needed for, and what

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42:03

Talking or fighting – which is better for Ukraine?

BFBS Sitrep ·

2025/02/13

Donald Trump’s tried to take Ukraine’s future out of its own hands by opening negotiations with Russia, and telling Kyiv that NATO membership and getting all of its land back are hopeless ambitions.So what should Ukraine do now? Could focussing on the fight still improve its negotiating position, or has it reached its high watermark in the war? Professor Michael Clarke and retired General Sir Richard Shirreff assess the battlefield balance of power.America’s Defence Secretary says “stark strategic

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37:56

Could a defence deal with the EU boost Britain’s...

BFBS Sitrep ·

2025/02/06

Keir Starmer wants a post-brexit reset with the EU, and he thinks it should start with “an ambitious partnership” on defence and security.But would it help our Armed Forces when we already have NATO? Former Army officer Ed Arnold explains how both the EU and NATO could give us more bang-for-our-buck, as well as the potential pitfalls.British troops are showing partnership in action in Estonia on NATO’s biggest cold weather exercise, Winter Camp. Sitrep hears from some of those taking part and BFBS

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41:21

Defence spending – how much is enough?

BFBS Sitrep ·

2025/01/30

Donald Trump wants NATO members to spend 5% of their national income on Defence, the UK is years away from meeting half that target.Is 5% a realistic figure, given that we did it back in the cold war, or would that simply be spending money for the sake of it? Mike does some reality checking, and Kate talks to Labour MP Luke Akehurst who says the current UK ambition of 2.5% should “just be the start of the conversation”.One demand from some who want more spent on Defence is better protection from

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35:33

We know what you are doing…

BFBS Sitrep ·

2025/01/23

The defence secretary John Healey sends a message to Russia’s President Putin warning him we will not shy away from robust action to protect this country. It’s after a Russian spy ship is spotted for a second time in UK waters. On Sitrep, we discuss the creeping threat of hybrid warfare.Why is the US preparing for potential conflict with China by 2027? Professor of War & Strategy in East Asia, Alessio Patalano, who’s also a visiting fellow at the Royal Navy Centre for Strategic Studies, explains

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32:53

Playing catch-up with Artificial Intelligence

BFBS Sitrep ·

2025/01/16

The Ministry Of Defence is given a stark warning that it needs to play catch-up and should learn from Ukraine’s use of AI on the battlefield. So what is Ukraine using? What happens if Britain doesn’t get a grip? And what could that mean for our troops on the battlefield? Sitrep’s Ukraine reporter Simon Newton andAssistant Director of the defence team at Rand Europe, James Black,discuss the Defence Committee report.It’s the biggest step up a soldier will make in their Army career - getting their

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42:43

The UK led fightback against undersea cable-cutters

BFBS Sitrep ·

2025/01/09

After a string of attacks against European data and power cables, and undersea pipelines, the British-led Joint Expeditionary Force has activated a new AI powered system to track and monitor suspicious activity from Russian “shadow fleet” ships.But what can the Nordic Warden operation do to stop attacks from happening when something is spotted? Former Royal Navy Commander Tom Sharpe explains why stepping-in is complicated.The Islamic State terror group may have been territorially defeated, but it

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19:56

The Moment That Made Me – Kim Hughes

BFBS Sitrep ·

2025/01/02

Kim Hughes was a driver in the Army who’d already quit once and was feeling disheartened again.But a moment watching a colleague prepare for a potentially deadly duty in Northern Ireland finally awakened his ambition.He tells James Hirst how that new found drive, a lot of classroom graft, and a childhood fascination with fireworks led to a George Cross for selfless bravery while disarming more than a hundred Taliban bombs in Afghanistan.

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23:11

The Moment That Made Me – Captain Ryan Ramsay

BFBS Sitrep ·

2025/01/01

Ryan Ramsay spent three years at the helm of a Royal Navy attack submarine, before teaching the next generation of leaders.But he gives big credit to the US Navy, and one particular leader, for helping him reach command after 20 years at sea.Ryan tells James Hirst why a transatlantic exchange was the moment that made him, with insights into leadership styles, the importance of supporting families, and why American submarines are “cool as you like”.

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