Is too much being read into this?
Which of the three Defence Ouputs are we talking about
:
Defence Policy - Clearly Not Applicable
Defence Capability - Already Available
Defence Operations - "
maintained so that she can be ready to deliver defence outputs if required"
AFAIK under the Defence Operating Model:
Operate is about conducting Military Operations when required by Ministers Operations are one of the three Defence Outputs and are Defence’s unique the UK’s National Security Objectives as defined by Policy and Strategy.