Soddim, some light reading.
This document sets out what we are supposed to be aiming at.
The Future Strategic Context for Defence
Some bits:
Physical Dimension: Implications for Defence
Environmental stresses and resource shortages can aggravate social and political tensions, and policies and preventative measures, which address these stresses, have a role to play in conflict prevention.
Calls on Western forces to contribute to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts will increase.
Maintaining influence in the Gulf and safeguarding the security, and promoting the internal stability of regional allies there remains important.
Demographic changes will mean that we will have to work even harder to recruit and retain sufficient good quality people from a smaller pool, against strong competition.
An aging population will add to financial pressures on Western Governments, particularly elsewhere in Europe.
Technological Dimension: Implications for Defence
Revolutionary changes in technology (or the application of technology) will require matching changes in military doctrine, culture and structures to realise their full potential
MOD’s research investment strategy must be better matched to the technological environment of the future, aiming to achieve excellence in certain selected areas and responding to changing circumstances
MOD’s research and development effort should emphasise relevant technology areas that will not interest the civil sector and closely monitor the possible development of alternative advanced military capabilities in other countries. As sensitive technologies become more widely available, we must seek to preserve our edge in key technology areas
Generally, we must exploit civil research and development to the maximum and ensure ready access to the technology of other nations, in particular the US, and we must seek to bring greater cohesion to the European defence research and technology programme. All this is linked to a need to make the procurement system more responsive to rapid technological change
We will require greater technological capability amongst our personnel
Social Dimension: Implications for Defence
Social factors and change will be a major influence on defence. We will need to respond to changes in society and domestic legislation in ways that preserve operational effectiveness
Proactive communication strategies will be required to maintain the status and relevance of defence in the public eye, and to attract into into the Armed Forces sufficient people of the right calibre.
Pressure to mount military operations for "moral" reasons will increase, although over the life of protracted operations support may wane. Where possible, we need to develop a clear post-operational strategy before engaging in operations
It will be essential in all military operations that damage inflicted is seen to be proportionate both to the issues at stake, and the military advantage gained, and that collateral damage is minimised. Weapon systems will need to be developed and procured with this in mind
Rapid and accurate information on the progress of operations will be essential to an effective information strategy
Systems, strategies and force protection measures which allow us to minimise casualties without prejudicing the achievement of military objectives will be essential to maintaining freedom of action
The need to protect UK citizens overseas (including by evacuation in the event of conflict) is likely periodically to place demands on UK forces
The ability to mount rapid and effective military operations in challenging circumstances will be crucial not only to respond to a wide range of potential crises but, through deterrence, to contribute to conflict prevention
We will need to adjust the balance of capabilities over time to exploit new methods of operating and counter equipment and strategies being adopted by potential adversaries. Similarly, military doctrine must be flexible and able to adapt to changing threats
The ability to deploy forces rapidly and sustain them in theatre will remain vital
Maintenance of information superiority will be imperative, and information operations will become more important. We must maintain a capability to counter information operations, and design systems and strategies to resist such threats. Cryptography and information protection will be vital, and increasingly difficult to achieve
There will be a growing requirement for real time surveillance (across the electro-magnetic spectrum) both to support operational decisions and to inform the international, public and media audience
Joint (and coalition) thinking must be the foundation of doctrine, with a shift in emphasis over the period from joint to fully-integrated, inter-agency operations, involving OGDs and NGOs. Inter-operability will be vital
Deterrence policy needs to be developed to focus on threats below the strategic level, and UK policy on BMD will need to develop in response to changes in the nature of the threat and the defensive capabilities available. Doctrine, planning and training and exercise policies must prepare to deter and defend against the use of NBC
Western defence sales need to be managed carefully to avoid creating long term threats to the security of forces engaged in crisis management operations. We should seek to encourage others not to permit sales of defence equipment where these damage regional stability
Personnel policies and practices will play a crucial role in generating future military capability and we may need to shift investment towards people (or towards technologies and procedures that enable us to make better use of people). We must be prepared to review levels of activity, including operations, in order to avoid placing unreasonable demands on service personnel.
AND YES I DO NEED TO GO OUT MORE