– Flight – The Royal Navy and Fleet Air Arm entered a period of forced transformation 16 months ago, when the UK government approved major cuts to their equipment and personnel structures as part of its Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR). However, with a final tranche of about 300 staff cuts having been confirmed in mid-January, the head of the UK’s “senior service” is looking firmly to the future.

– Daily Telegraph – Argentina has stepped up its sabre-rattling rhetoric over the Falkland Islands by accusing Britain of sending nuclear missiles on submarines to the South Atlantic.

– Daily Telegraph – The Royal Navy’s most sophisticated warship is being sent to the South Atlantic in a move that will send a powerful message to Argentina.

– Daily Telegraph – Britain will find it “impossible” to win back the Falkland Islands if Argentina invades them again, General Sir Michael Jackson has warned.

– Daily Telegraph – Britain’s nuclear deterrent would have to remain in Scotland even if the country voted for independence, Royal Navy chiefs have concluded.

– Daily Telegraph – Argentina does not have the military capability to invade the Falkland Islands, Gerald Howarth, a Defence Minister, has claimed.

– Royal United Services Institute – The victory of Scottish nationalists in the recent Scottish Parliamentary elections brings closer the possibility of Scotland’s independence. With Britain’s nuclear arsenal located largely in Scotland, policymakers must now consider what independence would entail for the security of the United Kingdom.

– Daily Telegraph – The Royal Navy’s multi-billion pound fighter plane programme is under threat amid claims that its new all-purpose jets cannot land on aircraft carriers.

– Daily Telegraph – The Royal Navy may be forced to release suspected pirates captured in the Indian Ocean because no country is willing to prosecute them.

– Daily Telegraph – Britain could send military reinforcements to the Gulf if the dispute with Iran escalates, according to Philip Hammond, the Defence Secretary.

– Daily Telegraph – Holly Watt reports from the RFA Fort Victoria in the Indian Ocean as a raid by the Royal Navy on a fishing boat leads to the arrest of 14 suspected pirates.

– The Economist – Another diplomatic victory for President Fernández of Argentina.

– Daily Telegraph – The Royal Navy’s most formidable warship is being sent to the Gulf for its first mission as tensions rise in the strategically vital region, it can be disclosed.

– Daily Telegraph – A nuclear submarine should be sent to the Falkland Islands to illustrate Britain’s anger at a decision by South American countries to ban boats bearing the island’s flag, the former head of the Royal Navy said.

– BBC – Women are to be allowed to serve on Royal Navy submarines, Defence Secretary Philip Hammond has confirmed.

– Associated Press – Britain’s navy arrested seven suspected pirates after a helicopter-led chase in the Indian Ocean.

– Daily Telegraph – Defence cuts have left the stretched Royal Navy unable to provide an emergency standby ship to protect British waters for a month.

– Guardian – New defence secretary confirms that he will pursue renewal of nuclear deterrent that could cost up to £25bn

– Guardian – Suspected ‘mother ship’ believed to have been involved in the hijacking of an Italian cargo ship earlier this month.

– Defense Technology International – France’s procurement chief does not consider the idea that the UK may eventually opt for the Rafale for its new aircraft carriers completely ridiculous.

– Daily Telegraph – One of the Royal Navy’s most senior officers has expressed serious concerns over the loss of skilled aircraft carrier crew following redundancies.

– Defense Technology International – The UK’s new Type 26 could prove to be a radical change for Royal Navy sailors — particularly in the way that they sleep.

– BBC – The National Audit Office has expressed deep concern about changes to the Royal Navy’s two new aircraft carriers made in the 2010 defence review.

– Daily Mail – Royal Navy top-gun pilots are being forced to learn French so that they can fly from France’s flagship aircraft carrier.

– Daily Telegraph – The head of the Naval task force in the Falklands War has warned that defence cuts mean Britain can now do “precisely nothing” to prevent Argentina retaking the islands.