"Only we can protect you from terrorism" - The Government
Nice to know, isn't it. But exactly how, and what with?
Perhaps by dealing with the situation in Iraq, Afgahnistan and other places. The main things we need there are troops on the ground and forces to support them. Unfortunately the infantry are being cut at a time they're already overstretched, the budget for support helicopters has been cut and so have other things needed to support troops on the ground.
Perhaps by intercepting terrorist movements/activites at sea - except the frigate/destroyer numbers have been cut to a level where performing all the peacetime tasks will be impossible. Submarine (very useful for ISTAR use) are also on the decline. Perhaps we could use aircraft - Nimrods perhaps? Except they're being cut.
Special Forces operations instead perhaps. Well, apart from suffering overstretch like everyone else, they will suffer from the Recent cuts. They do not exist in isolation, and there will be both a reduced number of people to recruit from. Moreover, they will be less helicopters, ships, submarines, vehicles etc to insert/extract them, and less aircraft, ships, infantry, artillery etc to provide fire and other support.
Home Defence then? Hmmmm! There are less and less aircraft to deal with rogue aircraft (didn't they once suggest extra QRA bases), and our forces spend less and less time at home. In 2002 they came up with the idea of using Reservists for home defence. Unfortunately the Reserves Forces are heavily commited to supporting operations in Iraq, Afgahnistan, the Balkans etc etc etc.
Is using defence against terrorism as an election theme really such a good idea (considering the above)?
Last edited by WE Branch Fanatic; 12th Mar 2005 at 20:04.