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UK defence spending 'an impossible mess' UK defence spending 'an impossible mess'
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Ministry of Defence spending on equipment has become “an impossible mess” because of the involvement of only a few prime contractors and British delusions that it is still a major power, according to a report published on Wednesday.Ministry of Defence spending on equipment has become “an impossible mess” because of the involvement of only a few prime contractors and British delusions that it is still a major power, according to a report published on Wednesday.
The 207-page document, edited by the Conservative MP Bernard Jenkin and entitled Defence Acquisition For The Twenty-First Century, says that spending is not in line with Britain’s new slimmed down defence budgets. The 207-page document, edited by the Conservative MP Bernard Jenkin and entitled Defence Acquisition for the Twenty-First Century, says that spending is not in line with Britain’s new slimmed down defence budgets.
The report, from the thinktank Civitas, says defence acquisition needs to take account of the limitations imposed by budget cuts and unpredictable security threats.The report, from the thinktank Civitas, says defence acquisition needs to take account of the limitations imposed by budget cuts and unpredictable security threats.
Jenkin and his co-authors Chris Donnelly, a special adviser to four Nato secretary-generals, and the defence analyst David McOwat, write: “The UK is providing the same number of combat aircraft as Belgium in the fight against Isis.Jenkin and his co-authors Chris Donnelly, a special adviser to four Nato secretary-generals, and the defence analyst David McOwat, write: “The UK is providing the same number of combat aircraft as Belgium in the fight against Isis.
“With the exception of the nuclear deterrent, which remains a 24-7-365 capability, the Royal Navy now is below critical mass; a strategic capability which is becoming sub-strategic in scale and military effect.“With the exception of the nuclear deterrent, which remains a 24-7-365 capability, the Royal Navy now is below critical mass; a strategic capability which is becoming sub-strategic in scale and military effect.
“Unlike the Royal Navy that sailed to the Falklands, it would be unable to sustain losses and still function. The ability to sustain losses in conflict is intrinsic to the ability to sustain military effect.”“Unlike the Royal Navy that sailed to the Falklands, it would be unable to sustain losses and still function. The ability to sustain losses in conflict is intrinsic to the ability to sustain military effect.”
The authors add: “Everyone agrees that we need an agile and flexible military capability, but this cannot be delivered by depending first and foremost on large and expensive equipment.”The authors add: “Everyone agrees that we need an agile and flexible military capability, but this cannot be delivered by depending first and foremost on large and expensive equipment.”
They advocate a tailored approach that responds to specific threats and campaigns, with more emphasis on research and development.They advocate a tailored approach that responds to specific threats and campaigns, with more emphasis on research and development.
“We either have to spend more, or do things differently, or give up the idea of getting involved in any campaigns that rely on sustained diplomatic effort or military deterrence, let alone on the ability to deliver force,” they write.“We either have to spend more, or do things differently, or give up the idea of getting involved in any campaigns that rely on sustained diplomatic effort or military deterrence, let alone on the ability to deliver force,” they write.
“The politicians still behave as though the UK has the same power as 10 or 20 years ago, but that is an illusion, which is positively dangerous.”“The politicians still behave as though the UK has the same power as 10 or 20 years ago, but that is an illusion, which is positively dangerous.”