In some ways I agree with Sir Humphrey in that I have always thought defence capabilities should be aligned with the nation's needs and interests. However, IMHO successive governments have spent most of the last sixty plus years removing capabilities by pretending threats, needs and even international commitments didn't exist. Sometimes driven by budgetary considerations, other times by ideology. Defence spending has been an easy target. For example, apparently no politicians were prepared to argue that the end of the Cold War meant small conventional wars were far more likely and defence expenditure and new capabilities needed to match the increased risk. Instead of recognising the Cyber threat is additional and requires additional funding, they seek to divert it from already underfunded and required capabilities. What we need is a 21st Century Trenchard to argue for and lead an independent Royal Cyber Force. The threat it addresses will not require the traditional set of competences for good airmen, sailors and soldiers - though they will overlap. Nor, I believe will the hierarchical structures of traditional armed forces be appropriate. The last being something Sir Humphrey also thinks.
Notwithstanding the suggestions around the importance of the Law of Armed Conflict when it applies to cyber warfare, there is perhaps a sense that cyber is seen as a difficult sell because it breaks the existing career models, needing people who are not necessarily natural officers and leaders, and it needs talent that is not necessarily drawn to a career in a structured and disciplined military.
There now follow some daft suggestions to stir the pot.
Does the RAF need both Waddington and Coningsby? Close Coningsby expand Lossiemouth as a single base for Typhoon with detached QRA facilities at Marham. Move P-8 to Waddington. Co-locate Rivet Joint ops with USAF at Fairford. Absolutely no idea myself but would it be possible to move Brize Norton ops to Mildenhall when/if USAF leaves and share facilities with Marham? I would have thought Brize is a better location for more housing and industry e.g closer to better road links.
Concentrate all RAF/RN fixed wing flying training on Valley and Mona close Cranwell and Barkston Heath.
Shut two of Honington, Leeming and Wittering and consolidate on the remaining one.
Close Middle Wallop and move to training to Shawbury and others to Wattisham.
Have new single site for training all new officer recruits – would need to have good access to a navigable estuary and land training area. Close Sandhurst and Dartmouth.
Same for other ranks/ ratings – Lyneham perhaps – close Cosford Consolidate on Boulmer, for instance.
Close Lympstone and consolidate PARA and RM training at Catterick.
Close Benson and Odiham and consolidate SH force with Junglies at Yeovilton.
Is Northolt really required? Could City Airport or Farnborough be used?
Move RN/RM/AAC Wildcats to Culdrose increasing the use of Predannack.
Reinstate the closure of RMB Chivenor.
Personally, I would have thought it would be cheaper for the Surface Fleet to consolidate on the larger Guz(z) rather than Pompey. Consolidate RFA on Pompey. Complete consolidation of sub-surface fleet at Faslane – insure it and Lossie/ISK will become rUK sovereign base areas in the event of Scottish independence.
(Yes, it should be refuelling)