Conflict and Contradictions
The government since 1997 has been ready to deploy British service personnel around the world believing that they can be a force for good alongside an ethical foreign policy. There is ample reason to support this view with the beneficial influence that many British interventions have had. We can debate the merit of the decisions behind specific military operations but once our forces are on operations, it is rightly the overwhelming desire of everyone to show their support and solidarity.
If we wish to retain this capability as a country, we cannot take any half-measures in doing so. The equipment available to our people needs to be of consistently the right quality and available in the right quantity. Sadly, concerns have been raised about both aspects and we cannot hide from debating the consequences. Governments of both major political parties have at various times failed to match resources to ambitions and in doing so have let down our armed forces.
While the pace and scale of British military efforts has increased, the resources devoted to defence spending have fallen as a proportion of gross national product. It is a massive contradiction to maintain such a tempo of military action while reducing the resources available to carry it out. We see the creation of the kind of overstretch which has too often been a feature of British defence policy.
There are also questions around specific areas of equipment. We see the belated and reactive procurement of new armoured vehicles. It would have been so much better if assets like this could have been part of a planned procurement programme.
Looking at the fixed and rotary-wing air support available, this appears miserly when viewed alongside that available to some of our allies. The helicopter procurement budget has been cut since 2001 and it is no good talking about percentage increases in available aircraft when the original number available was scarcely in double figures.
Recently, the government signalled its clear intention that Britain should remain a major military power on the world stage. Construction started on the first of two 65,000 ton aircraft carriers, the world’s largest warships outside of the United States. Together they provide four acres of mobile airfield enabling air power to be deployed worldwide and reducing the issue of securing basing rights. In another contradiction, on current plans, they will probably sail with too few warships to properly protect them. The carriers were first proposed in 1998! How can it take 11 years to even start construction?
That last question raises an issue about project are management. Too many efforts overrun on cost, are years late, are cancelled or all three. Whoever forms our national government needs to get to grips with this fundamental problem. They must also ensure that their aspirations for Britain’s world role are supported by the right level and quality of resources. Nothing less will do if we are to properly support our armed services.
Councillor Bob Lanzer, Leader of Crawley Borough Council
15th July 2009