Military chiefs: SDSR should be re-evaluated
In a letter to the prime minister, published by the Telegraph, military chiefs criticised the decision to cut funding for Harrier jump jets and the Ark Royal:
“The SDSR was conducted, as it had to be, under the pressure of a financial crisis of unprecedented severity. This led to a very rapid and radical disposal of assets, which, more alarmingly, has demanded the loss of some core strategic capabilities. In our carefully considered view, it is in this latter respect that, in certain key areas, the decisions now about to be implemented merit rapid re-evaluation to avoid the potentially permanent loss of important military capabilities.
“The publicly declared proposition that ‘the risks inherent in the currently envisaged defence structure are acceptable’ seems to us to be unduly trusting in an uncertain, fast moving and dangerous world.
“Flexibility is essential and the SDSR report advocates this but cuts the very capabilities that offer it best. Defence in peace means deterrence by showing capability and determination. Failure to do so leads to war e.g. Falklands (now showing again with Brazilian support in withdrawing permission for a ship visit to Rio).
“Our focus is the maritime dimension of defence strategy, the most flexible arm of our military capability. In particular, the retirement of the Joint RN/RAF Harrier Force which could be viewed with equanimity were it not for two profound downstream consequences that strike at the heart of our Defence structure in both the immediate and the longer term.”
