Defence “transformation” will mean cuts, Hoon confirms
The Defence Secretary has confirmed that there will be significant cuts in the Armed Forces as a result of his reforms.
Rumours of likely cuts have been circulating for a while, but in a Commons statement Geoff Hoon said that 10,000 civilian jobs will go in addition to 7500 in the RAF and 1500 in the Navy.
The Navy will lose three type-42 destroyers and three type-23 frigates by 2006.
One RAF Tornado F-3 squadron will be scrapped and two Jaguar squadrons will be dispanded a year early. RAF Coltishall in Norfolk is to be closed and its overall staff reduced to 41,000 by 2008.
Army numbers will be reduced to 102,000 and two battalions will be axed, one from Scotland and three from England. It is not yet known which battalions will go.
Today’s detailed announcement builds on the vision set out in the December White Paper of less heavy equipment and a more flexible, responsive military to meet post Cold War challenges.
Mr Hoon told the Commons that the military would be transformed into a focus on effects and outcomes, saying: “The threats to Britain’s interests in the 21st Century are far more complex than was foreseen following the disintegration of the Soviet empire.”
The focus on spending will be on new technology with the rollout of Brimstone, the new Javelin system and improved artillery rounds all by 2010. £3 billion will be spent over the next three years to provide for a helicopter fleet focused on lift, reconnaissance and attack, with £180 million earmarked for missile systems.
Two new aircraft carriers would be at “the heart of our future ability” and additional investment is being made in amphibious capability in place of spending on anti-submarine platforms, given that the submarine threat is judged to be low.
On nuclear capability, Mr Hoon confirmed that eight Astute class subs would be required and repeated the Government’s commitment to the maintenance of the deterrent.
The cuts were greeted with dismay by the Shadow Defence Secretary Nicholas Soames, who praised the “magnificent work” done by the Armed Forces.
He said that military personnel would feel “betrayed politically and morally” and said the nation will be dismayed at the treatment of the Armed Forces.
Mr Soames proceeded to criticise the cut in the defence budget and suggested that there was a deep crisis as the budget was decreasing. This was the most reckless decision so far in reducing tanks, personnel and equipment, he added.
He argued: “It’s a very important thing to keep a balance between the manpower and the application of new technology.”
“What matters at the end of the day is the boots of the ground,” he added, pledging that an incoming Conservative government would fully fund and equip the Armed Forces and order and confidence would be restored to the management of the system.
Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon referred to the “hole” in defence spending of the Shadow Chancellor’s spending plans, and criticised the Conservatives’ policy and their “fantasy figures”.
Paul Keetch, speaking for the Liberal Democrats, said that Government was “desperately trying to do more with less”.
On job losses, he noted that it was easier to make cuts than to manage resources effectively in the first place. He then challenged the Government on RAF base cuts and the escalation of dependence of high tech weaponry ahead of low tech soldiering.
On redundancies, the MP called on the Government to offer assurances that no members serving in Iraq today will face job losses.
