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Summary
UK Defence Policy has not shifted too much since the late 1970s. There has been
a slow decline in the number of ships, planes, and other equipment, yet the UK
still maintains what is a relatively large Military for its population of 60
million. Considering the terrorist 'threat', and other responsibilities across
the globe it would wise to maintain force levels and associated expenditure as
they currently are.
Proposals
-Military expenditure will be stabilised at current
levels. An emphasis on increasing the mobility of British forces around the
world should be supported, and this policy is already well under way, due to
current govt. Policy.
-All contracts for new hardware to go to UK companies if realistically possible.
Handing multi billion pound military contracts to foreign contractors, which
results in massive net capital outflows, is a crazy situation for any government
to allow.
-Euro-Army : No. The UK should retain its own self reliant and independent armed forces.
Yes, the UK should take part (as it has always done) in joint exercises with any
conglomerate force (such as the UN or NATO), yet overall control should remain
entirely under a UK leadership.
-Nuclear : Maintain a Nuclear capability. As long as the world has innumerable crazy
and unstable governments, it is sadly necessary to keep to the policy of 'MAD'
(Mutually Assured Destruction). With nations such as North Korea and Iran
attempting to develop a long term Nuclear system, the UK people should at least
have something in their military arsenal as a last 'threat' against any foreign
enemy states.
The Forces
Navy
The Navy should be enhanced, with an aim for 3
full carrier battle groups (note that America has around a dozen) . As has been proved to be the case over the decades,
there is nothing more important in the Armed forces than adequate Naval power.
The capability to move vast amounts of equipment and troops across the oceans to
zones of conflict cannot be overstated.
Army
As has been shown in countless countries across the globe, the UK Army has
provided a great deal of assistance to many people in a wide array of
situations. From peace keeping activities in Europe, to the invasion of the
sovereign state of Iraq, the UK Army has shown itself to merit a high level of
respect from the British people.
Airforce
The Air service of the UK military
tends to receive slightly less attention than the 2 other main branches. Yet the
Air service has provided an important contribution to military campaigns across the world. From
surveillance and protection of UK airspace, to patrolling the no-fly zones in
Northern Iraq. In terms of numbers, the UK air force is pretty small, and it
would seem wise to at least maintain current levels.
Conclusion
It is a new century, yet conflict continues across the globe. With skirmishes
likely to continue around the planet, and with a continued terrorist threat
against the British people from Islamic extremist, the UK people deserve a
strong military.
The UK maintains an highly sophisticated and well trained professional military, and this should be maintained at
current levels. However, emphasis needs to be placed upon Naval power. Plans for
2 enhanced super aircraft carriers should be supported, and indeed increased to
3 carriers. Despite euro-integration, it would seem wise to keep the UK's
military forces entirely independent - and not under the control of a European
super state
leadership.
Links
UK Links
Ministry of Defence : The MOD's site has some
useful info. including defence expenditure, and capabilities etc.
Armed forces directory : A
comprehensive archive of UK defence companies
Royal United Services Institute :
Dealing with Research in Defence and Intl. security studies.
Royal Navy : MOD site representing
the Royal Navy.
International links
Global Security.com : The worlds
leading authority on Military affairs, by John Pike and colleagues. Superb site.
Centre for Defence Info. : The CDI, offers
global news updates on defence issues across the globe.
CIA Factbook
: An online resource, from the CIA, containing an interesting database on the
defences for countries across the world.
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Page last updated :
08/10/2004
