OUR ARMED FORCES

There is no formal, official or any other connection between the UKNDA and the government, any political party, the Ministry of Defence or any of the Armed Forces, nor any endorsement by them of the UKNDA. The UKNDA is strictly independent, apolitical and Tri-Service.

Information on this site and views expressed are, unless otherwise identified, those of the individuals concerned or, where stated, the UKNDA

THE COVENANT & THE ARMED FORCES

On 12th January 2007 the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Rt. Hon. Tony Blair, in a lecture given onboard HMS ALBION at HM Naval Base, Devonport, declared that there was a need for a COVENANT to be formed between the people, politicians and Armed Forces of the United Kingdom to identify and discuss how best to provide for the Defence & Security needs of the Realm. The UKNDA undertakes to facilitate such a covenant in any way it can as described elsewhere in this web-site.

To read articles about the various elements of our armed forces - click on the name of the appropriate service below or at the bottom of the page.

Royal Navy

The Royal Navy

There are many reasons why the state of the Royal Navy should matter to YOU:

1.  Protecting ships that carry the food you eat, the stuff you buy and fuel you need. The UK is an island nation and most of our food and goods are transported by sea.

2.   Operating the nuclear deterrent that helps keeps the peace.  Whatever your beliefs the Royal Navy maintains the deterrent for the UK. The government is committed to the replacment of the nuclear-armed submarines.

For the full article link with www.savetheroyalnavy.org/articles

PIRACY: A SPREADING PROBLEM 

Piracy in the Horn of Africa/Gulf of Aden has now, with the seizure of the VLCC Star Sirius some 450nm off the coast of Kenya become a serious international problem, which must be addressed by maritime nations now, and not at some time in the future. 

Firstly, it should be clearly understood that piracy is not tolerated under international maritime law. Article 88 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea [UNCLOS 1982] makes it clear that the high seas are reserved for peaceful purposes only, and that in itself precludes pirate acts by ships or aircraft. The Convention, which was many years in the making, opened for signature at Montego Bay, Jamaica on 10 December 1982, and entered into force 12 months after the 60^th instrument of ratification by Guyana on 16 November 1994. It is recognised as the definitive instrument governing international maritime law, and it should be borne in mind that Somalia has both signed and ratified the Convention. The United States is arguably the most important nation to have signed, but not ratified the Convention, this being continually blocked by a caucus of senators who do not believe signing is in the interests of America. The author mentions this, as it might have implications with regard to any NATO led activity in the region under discussion.