Thanks ORAC - that's a very interesting link - some highlights.....
Its unclear yet where the money will come from to support this extra spending. There seem to be several options, which include is it genuinely entirely new money, added without preconditions to the budget to help MOD out of a difficult financial position. If so, then this is a remarkably generous settlement. Alternatively, does the package involve bring forward of money from other sources
This funding is welcome, and it will make a difference, but it is not going to fund a future force of lots of new fun toys The MOD equipment plan is already significantly over budget (potentially about £13-15bn over budget) and its getting worse
We do need to be clear though – not all programmes are going to survive.
Trying something new is really what this is all about – its about creating the headroom in MOD to have the space to really change and embrace new technology. By freeing up funds now, they can be used to try out new kit, to trial it, to develop concepts of operations and to put the right policies and procedures in place to use them properly.
This is really exciting stuff – its hard not to get excited by the possibilities on offer if the military get this right. They have the chance, the space and the funding to really refocus on what future operations will be like with this funding, and in the process make sure the armed forces remain fit for purpose.
The final key point to make is that Defence cannot fail. The Prime Minister has now invested significant personal and political capital in this outlay, and expects results
So, overall this is a good outcome – but it needs to be seen in context. This is not going to deliver the fantasy force of dreams. It will still result in painful cuts, and there are going to be difficult times ahead.