British Naval Chief Demands Investment for Future Defence

1

Rate this Article: (5.0 Stars | 2 Votes)   Thanks for your rating!

The most senior serving officer in the British Royal Navy has insisted that Maritime defence forces should be considered a priority in any future spending plans.

Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope spoke at the International Institute of Strategic Studies during which a debate emerged regarding Britain's upcoming strategic defence review, which is expected to follow the nation’s general election.



After both the chiefs of the army and air force outlined their respective visions, Stanhope countered inferences that less focus should be paid to the procurement of aircraft, vessels and aircraft carriers.

“[The Navy has] a vital role to play in delivering this country's defence and security into the future, in delivering choices for the government, as much as in delivering firepower when required.”

He added: "It's not about tanks versus jet fighters. It is about deciding where the balance of investment should lie, judged against this country's vital national interests, and the ambition this nation sets, both for itself and for defence."

"We can get land forces where they need to be, and then support them: combat air support, helicopters, logistics, medical, you name it. And we are there to recover those forces too."

Aside from standard protection for expeditionary land forces, Stanhope cited several recent and vital operations that had been achieved primarily through the efforts of the Navy, including the suppression of rebel forces in Sierra Leone and reconnaissance missions in Afghanistan to chase Taliban fighters. He said it had also been instrumental in intercepting a total of £70million worth of illegal drugs making its way to British shores last year, and that the current threat of piracy in African waters warranted a focus on the fleet.

Days earlier, former army chief General Sir Richard Dannatt stated that each of the three defence chiefs agreed on "80 to 85 percent" on the future of Britain’s armed forces.

"If you want agile forces, able to be tailored for a special mission, if you want them to be sustained and supported from a position of security, then maritime forces can make an important contribution."

The admiral also pointed to the possibilities of conventional wars being fought between states in the quest for resource ownership.

"Competition between powerful states is already a feature of our post-Cold War world, as we shift from the uni-polar dominance of the United States to multi-polar influence and power. Competition for resources can only exacerbate the situation. We would be wrong to assume that states will no longer wage war."

In the past week, UK oil firms began drilling near the Falkland Islands, raising fresh tensions with Argentina.

Contributor:   Richard de Silva

Richard de Silva reports on defence and security at DefenceIQ.com. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Creative Writing and Film and a Master’s Degree in Film from Kingston University, London.

You Should Check Out:

'We Are Sea-blind': Former Ark Royal Commanding Officer Predicts the Fate of the Royal Navy

Report Abuse   Zilwiki 04/20/2010 8:13:48 PM EDT The UK can't do everything. It should concentrate on maritime power, along with land-based recce and elint aircraft. The Army should be able to provide a heavy mobile brigade to defend UK territories, and the RAF to defend UK airspace. Unfortunatley, all three candidates for PM seem sea-blind. Replies (0) Post a reply Sign in or Sign up to post a comment