Stirrup: ‘Uncomfortable times’
Chief of defence staff, air chief marshal, Sir Jock Stirrup comments on the release of the strategic defence and security review:
“The challenging financial environment has meant that we have confronted some difficult choices in this Review.
“Our first priority has been to maintain the focus on defence’s main effort in Afghanistan, and to ensure that we continue to deliver the necessary resources to that campaign. Beyond this, we face an uncertain future, so we have sought to maximise the agility and adaptability of our armed forces.
“That is partly about equipment, where we have had to take some tough decisions; but it is mostly about our people, who have always given us our winning edge.
“Despite some uncomfortable times ahead, recruiting and retaining people of the right talent, commitment and courage will be key to our future success.”
