PODCAST · news
BFBS Sitrep
by BFBS Radio
Award winning Sitrep brings you discussion and analysis on defence, foreign policy and the stories affecting the British Forces. Presented by Kate Gerbeau, with expert analysis from Professor Michael Clarke.
Episodes
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We have to be faster than our adversaries
What are the priorities of the UK’s most senior military officer? Air Chief Marshal Sir Rich Knighton launches defence exhibition DSEI with a stark warning: we have to be faster than our adversaries. Sitrep looks into how we can win that race and what industry needs to do to keep up. Air Vice...
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How to defend the UK from missiles and drones.
After decades of believing the risk of air-strikes on UK soil were miniscule, everyone now accepts we need to significantly boost our air and missile. The how, the when, and the money however are a political dispute right now, so Sitrep explains the options, the hard choices, and limits of what…
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Another Iraq exit… will this one last?
All UK troops, and the whole Global Coalition, have left Iraq after 12 years with their mission to support local troops against Islamic State terrorists deemed complete. Last time we left, we were back within three years, and this time Iraq has been under repeated attack from its neighbour in the...
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Replacing 5,000 Land Rovers
The search is on to find a replacement for the Ministry of Defence’s fleet of five thousand Land Rovers. Forces News reporter Simon Newton has test-driven some of the contenders and gives Sitrep the lowdown. Also, more and more people are warning that Russia may be preparing to step up its...
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What will replace the main service rifle, the SA80?
There’s a rifle race going on right now – Project Grayburn is the campaign to find the successor to the British Army’s SA80 which entered service in the 1980s. We’ll be looking at what the soldiers say they want, what the MOD says it wants and when it might happen. Forces News’ Sian Grzeszczyk...
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Can the UK Strategic Reserve be reawakened?
In theory 95,000 veterans could be liable for recall if the UK was at war, or headed that way, but for decades it’s been little more than a notional force, lying dormant. That is about to change though. Thousands could soon get letters calling them up for an exercise next year, to help the MoD...
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British troops caught in “The war of losers”
Iran’s strikes on US military bases in the Middle East are a blunt reminder that British servicemen and women deployed in the region face real risks. Professor Michael Clarke assesses the dangers while former Royal Navy Commander Tom Sharpe explains the options for British ships which had been...
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Can UK tech break battlefield deadlock in Ukraine?
The UK has handed final blueprints for Storm Shadow missiles to Kyiv, while a treasure trove of battlefield data is coming to Britain. Can this tech-swap help Ukraine break through front lines largely frozen because of drone saturation in the skies? Professor Michael Clarke explains how Storm...
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Russia’s revenge threat – what might Moscow do to the UK?
It’s not just Russia’s threat of “consequences” for British made drones used in Ukrainian strikes, US intelligence says Moscow is considering a bigger provocation of NATO possibly within weeks. Grey-zone expert Elisabeth Braw explains how British troops in Estonia and Poland could be an…
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How do you prevent a world war?
The Chief of the Defence Staff says it’s the "most dangerous period" he’s known in his entire military career. And we've all heard the warnings of the potential for direct armed conflict with Russia within 5 years. But what else should we be preparing for? Kate and Mike are joined by Tobias...
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The race to weaponise new tech
From quantum computing to biotechnology NATO has just upped its investment in startups that are trying to turn science-fiction ideas into frontline capabilities. Sitrep explains the NATO DIANA innovation accelerator and some of the breakthroughs it’s hoping will soon become kit in the hands of...
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Why are British tanks leaving Russia’s doorstep?
The official announcement of hundreds more British troops for Estonia, transitioning to a “mobile anti-armour” force, missed out one key detail. It will end a decade of British tanks on Russia’s doostep, as Challenger 2’s are upgraded to become Challenger 3’s BFBS Forces News reporter James…
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Why the Armed Force Bill matters to servicemen and women
Armed Forces bills come round every five years and you might think they’re just a box ticking exercise to renew the legal basis of our military. But they’re so much more, affecting the lives, jobs, and safety of servicemen and women, plus their families. Sitrep explains key measures on military...
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How the top British officer in NATO has filled gaps left by the US
The UK has joined other European allies to commit more military capability to NATO’s battle plans, after the US made cuts “with immediate effect” That’s been revealed to Sitrep by Air Chief Marshal Sir John Stringer, who just weeks into the job of Deputy Supreme Allied Commander had to source...
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NATO 3.0 – Installing update
Behind the political theatre $50bn worth of procurement plans were announced at the NATO summit, from artillery shells to airlift and space capabilities. Sitrep explains who’s buying what and why with the help of the UK’s first Director of Joint Warfare, retired Air Marshal Greg Bagwell.…
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Can the Defence Investment Plan deliver war-ready forces?
The lead military author of the Strategic Defence Review, General Sir Richard Barrons, gives his verdict on the DIP. “Doing the right thing, but not enough not quickly enough” He tells Kate Gerbeau why one of his biggest concerns is a lack of attention to Defence Medical Services and how that...
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Hands on with Ukraine’s battle transforming tech
From remote controlled bombs-on-wheels to fooling Russian missiles that they’re flying over Peru, Simon Newton has been in Ukraine looking their homegrown battlefield technologies. Professor Michael Clarke explains how, with the help of those technologies, Ukraine seems to have Russia on the back...
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The Royal Navy’s Iran “peace deal” mission explained
From mine clearance to escorting tankers the UK and France promised to lead a “defensive” mission to reassure shipping “when conditions allow.” With the ink now dry on the first step of a US/Iran peace deal that mission looks like it’s about to go from plan to reality. Rear Admiral (retired)…
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EXTRA – What now for defence after two damning resignations?
John Healey’s parting broadside as Defence Secretary, and Al Carns resignation as Armed Forces Minister, are clearly intended to jolt the government into a rethink of the Defence Investment Plan. But will it work? Sitrep explains the difficult choices now facing by the new Defence Secretary Dan...
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Spies target military personnel through ad data and fake jobs
MI5 says Chinese intelligence have been trying to lure military personnel into revealing secrets through fake job postings on sites like Linkedin, while the Pentagon reveals data gathered by legitimate advertisers has been scraped to target its troops in theatre. These are not just notional…
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EXTRA – How the tank changed the face of battle
The tank has been written off many times in history, even when the very first ones rolled onto the battlefield in World War One. But this British invention continues to shape the world. From its inception as a “land ship” to the battlefields of Ukraine, the story of the tank and those who have...
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What to watch for when the DIP drops
The long-delayed Defence Investment Plan, to turn the future blueprint of the Armed Forces into reality, is in sight. But with billions missing from the budget what do we need to look for when it arrives? What’s on the table, and where might the axe fall? Professor Michael Clarke and RUSI…
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British troops rehearse for war in Estonia
Exercise Spring Storm may be an annual event for NATO, but this time there’s no playing nicely with words. The troops taking part say they are “rehearsing for war”, just miles from Russia. BFBS Forces News Reporter Rosie Laydon tells why this exercise feels different to the many she’s visited...
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EXTRA – Land ISTAR: The Army’s plan for data-driven dominance
Sitrep dives into the future of the Army and explains how a new generation of battlefield sensors and worldwide connectivity could transform British soldiering. The Land ISTAR programme will gather unprecedented battlefield insights and share them in real time, informing soldiers just a few…
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Sitrep Live: “You’re either very stupid or very brave” – reflections on serving in Iraq
From invasion, through stabilisation and counter-insurgency to training Iraqi forces, Operation Telic involved more than 135,000 British servicemen and women from 2003 to 2011 Fifteen years since the last troops left Sitrep talks to three veterans of Iraq to reflect on the jobs they did, the...
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British warships head to the Arctic and Middle East
The Royal Navy, already thinly stretched, is now sending HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Duncan to the High North, while HMS Dragon heads in the other direction to loiter for a possible mission in the Strait of Hormuz. Both high profile deployments come with some big questions. Is an aircraft carrier...
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Ukrainian drones learn from 4 years of war
Ukraine has amassed so much battlefield footage from drones that it would take more than 200 years to watch. Now it’s using that footage, with machine learning, to teach drones to become more lethal. Simon Newton explains how the country has made breakthroughs that allow the devices to identify…
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EXTRA - “Security Through Cooperation”
Across three decades Rose Gottemoeller has had a ringside seat at key moments in the changing relationship between Russia, the US, and allies like the UK. As a former Deputy Secretary General of NATO and U.S. Undersecretary of State she’s seen the highs, as well as the lows. Rose talks to Kate...
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A bitter pill - Justice vs Reconciliation for Northern Ireland’s troubles
Three decades since the end of the troubles the legacy on Northern Ireland is affecting today’s Armed Forces, with growing talk it’s damaging recruitment and driving some to leave service. The Northern Ireland Secretary promised additional protections for veterans to help as the save his legacy...
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Japan rejects pacifism, what does that mean for the UK?
Japan eases restrictions in defence exports, taking a step away from decades of self-imposed pacifism after the Second World War. On Sitrep, we ask, what will they be selling and will the UK buy any of it?Searching for the next generation of Gurkha soldiers – we’re on the road in Nepal with the...
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Is the UK now too late to be ready for war?
When they still don’t know what equipment they will get, and when, it’s extremely hard for the UK’s Armed Forces deliver on their mission to be ready for war. But the clock is ticking ever louder, so how long have they got? Professor Michael Clarke and Dr. Jack Watling explain the types of…
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The Royal Navy plans for policing an Iran peace-deal
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...
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Defending the UK without the US
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...
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EXTRA – Is it time for another “super-regiments” shake up in the Army?
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…
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Home or Away – Where’s best for British training of Ukrainian forces?
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...
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How the Iran war threatens Ukraine’s fight for survival
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...
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Hard lessons for the UK from the Iran war
The UK ramped up its air power in and around the Middle East before the Iran war, but the fact it took nearly a fortnight to deploy an air-defence destroyer has put military capability and readiness firmly in the spotlight. Sitrep explains the rhetoric and the reality as political opponents…
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Royal Navy warship heads to the Middle East
The Royal Navy deploys a destroyer to the Mediterranean to bolster defences in the region, amidst a war in the Middle East. But HMS Dragon won’t set sail until next week and it will take days to get there. The question on most observers' lips is - why did it take so long? and is our response a…
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Hitting Russia in the roubles – could economic warfare secure victory for Ukraine?
As Ukraine fights its war for survival alone on the battlefield, the UK has announced new sanctions against Russia to throttle the supply of money into Putin's war machine. But can it work, and persuade Moscow to get serious about peace talks? Economist and Russia expert Timothy Ash runs us…
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Why the AWOL Defence Investment Plan is a big problem.
The Prime Minister says we are going to have to spend more, faster, on defence. But his government hasn’t even decided how it will spend the money already in the budget, despite promising the plan months ago. Sitrep explains why the growing delays are a big problem for some defence firms, and...
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Sitrep live from the Munich Security Conference
The Prime Minister chose a stage in front of dozens of fellow world leaders to announce he’s sending HMS Prince of Wales to lead a carrier strike group to the arctic. But why? The US changed it’s tone towards Europe, but not it’s criticisms, after last year’s bombshell speech by J.D. Vance. And...
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NATO’s big military shake-up explained
A reshuffle of who-commands-what in NATO puts a British General in charge of the only NATO operation on US soil, while an American will take over at Maritime Command in the UK. Tim Henry explains all about the UK’s new command in Norfolk, Virginia, from his time as Deputy Commander there, and...
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Russia turns the screws on freezing Ukrainians
Despite temperatures below -20C attacks are targeting not just electricity and gas infrastructure in Ukraine, but heating plants which supply thousands of homes at a time. Is there any military logic or justification? Colin Freeman updates us from the city of Kharkiv, and Simon Newton explains…
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Could UK troops defend Greenland and does it even need defending?
Much buzz about a possible NATO Arctic Sentry operation helped calm Donald Trump’s talk of taking over Greenland, and the UK is one of the big backers. But do we have enough troops properly trained to operate in some of the world’s harshest conditions Ex-Royal Marine Tip Cullen shares the hard...
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Why UK defence is “uniquely vulnerable” to US threats
Donald Trump crossed a line by threatening economic warfare against the UK and other allies. He may have backed down, for now, but former Defence Secretary Sir Ben Wallace says we should be preparing for the potential of the US turning its back on NATO. From nuclear missiles, to fighter jets and...
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Reality bites for the future of the Armed Forces
The Chief of Defence Staff refuses to say cuts are coming, but has confirmed there isn’t enough money for everything they want to do to make the Armed Forces war-ready and transformed for a high-tech future. Professor Michael Clarke and former RAF Deputy Director of Operations Greg Bagwell…
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EXTRA – Mindful Soldier, how combat offers resilience lessons for us all
In his 22 year army career Ash Alexander-Cooper was shot multiple times, targeted by a suicide bomber, and caught in numerous explosions. But he has taken those traumatic moments, learnt from them, and now uses those experiences to help others with leadership and resilience. Now he’s teamed up…
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WTAF? Would Trump actually fight (for Greenland)?
Denmark says US threats to take Greenland by force would ‘end’ NATO. Does NATO have any plan to deal with an ally-on-ally attack? Which side would the UK take if it happened? Or is it all just about Trump’s “art of the deal”? Former UK ambassador to NATO Lord Ricketts shares his insights. The US...
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EXTRA – Is the Islamic State terror group making a comeback in Syria?
It’s seven years since the jihadists’ caliphate was brought to a complete end, but IS continues to attack in Syria and there are signs of a potential resurgence. The RAF and French Air Force have just bombed what they believe was an underground weapons and explosives store. Yet the US led…
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The World in 2026 – Defending the UK
The outcome of the Ukraine war is arguably the most immediate key to our security in the UK, and if the fighting ends our Armed Forces may be sent to Ukraine to secure not just its future but also ours. At the same time the Chief of Defence Staff has warned we all need to be prepared for the...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Award winning Sitrep brings you discussion and analysis on defence, foreign policy and the stories affecting the British Forces. Presented by Kate Gerbeau, with expert analysis from Professor Michael Clarke.
HOSTED BY
BFBS Radio
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How many episodes does BFBS Sitrep have?
BFBS Sitrep currently has 956 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is BFBS Sitrep about?
Award winning Sitrep brings you discussion and analysis on defence, foreign policy and the stories affecting the British Forces. Presented by Kate Gerbeau, with expert analysis from Professor Michael Clarke.
How often does BFBS Sitrep release new episodes?
BFBS Sitrep releases new episodes frequently with a large back catalog of 956 episodes. Check the episode list for recent publication dates.
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You can listen to BFBS Sitrep on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts BFBS Sitrep?
BFBS Sitrep is created and hosted by BFBS Radio.
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