UK sends destroyer to Persian Gulf to fight Islamic StateAugust 29, 2016 - 15:44 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The UKRoyal Navy is sending a destroyer to help in the fight against the Islamic State, despite concerns that the warship’s advanced engine system could break down in the warm waters of the Persian Gulf, The Independent reports. The £1bn HMS Daring will be tasked with protecting American aircraft carriers during bombing raids on militant targets, according to the Defense Secretary, and sets sail from Portsmouth on Friday, September 2. Michael Fallon said the deployment showed all three branches of the Armed Forces were “making a real difference around the world”. Daring will take over the responsibilities of HMS Defender, another of the UK’s six Type 45 destroyers, which returned to Portsmouth at the start of July following a nine-month operation, The Independent says. As well as its defensive role in the Gulf, it will be expected to perform reconnaissance missions reporting back to the coalition headquarters for air strikes against IS. And, if HMS Defender’s record is anything to go by, it will play a part in protecting some of the world’s busiest shipping lanes from pirates and smugglers. In June, Defender made headlines when it intercepted more than a ton of hash (estimated street value £5.6m) being trafficked across the Indian Ocean. HMS Daring, which has a crew of 190, has had a troubled past with technical issues. Built by BAE Systems, it broke down in the mid-Atlantic in 2010 and again in Bahrain in 2012. The Royal Navy has since admitted that the Type 45 destroyers’ innovative gas turbine engines, which are supposed to provide propulsion and electricity for on-board systems at the same time, are prone to breaking down in warm conditions. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Russia provides info about arrested Armenian ex-MP Russian law enforcement agencies have provided information about the arrest of Tigran Urikhanyan. Lemkin Institue slams Pashinyan's “cryptic engagement with Genocide denial” The Lemkin Institute is alarmed over Pashinyan’s statements “questioning Armenia's legal basis to pursue justice against Turkey”. 41 detained as antigovernment protests continue in Yerevan 41 people were detained in Yerevan as people demanding Pashinian’s resignation stage campaigns of civil disobedience. Armenia votes for UN resolution granting Palestine new rights The U.N. General Assembly voted by a wide margin on May 10 to grant new “rights and privileges” to Palestine. |