MPs warn that defence re-structuring could jeopardise armed forces
A committee of MPs has expressed concern that equipment withdrawals and personnel reductions may jeopardise the ability of the armed forces to deliver its commitments.
The changes are a result of the Government’s plan to restructure and re-equip the armed forces at a time when the MPs say the armed forces have told them they are “operationally stretched” and “physically under-resourced”.
And the Defence Select Committee warns that the Government’s vision for the armed forces is “too narrowly confined” by conflicts that have taken place in recent years.
Shadow Defence Secretary Nicholas Soames said the report proved the Government was taking “unacceptable risks” with Britain’s security.
According to the report reductions in staffing levels mean any failure by the armed forces to recruit to their full manning levels in future could “seriously undermine” their sustainability.
“Full recruitment will be a necessity rather than an aspiration,” says the report.
The withdrawal of equipment and delays in procuring new equipment, may also leave gaps in capability, says the committee.
It is worried that new equipment programmes will encounter delays or will be unable to fulfil all the functions they were intended to do.
The committee warns that the withdrawal of frigates and destroyers will leave the Navy unable to fulfil its standing commitments, while the withdrawal of the Jaguar squadrons by 2007 will leave a gap until the Typhoon – Eurofighter – enters service at the end of the decade.
Mr Soames said: “This report proves that this Government is taking unacceptable risks with Britain’s security. It warns that equipment withdrawals and personnel reductions will leave gaps in our military capability, that those gaps create risks, and that some of those risks need not have been taken.
“The crossed swords of the Army’s emblem might as well be replaced with Geoff Hoon’s crossed fingers.”
