Until we start from basics we'll never have a genuine Strategic Defence Review.
The primary task is to defend the home base. Not is there a threat to UK but how do we defend it if the worst scenario develops. Please don't say it never could................................................
From that base we need a home defence force (Army), a maritime defence force (Navy) and an air force.
The Army could be relatively small. A robust home defence force equipped to fight on home soil isn't expensive. The Navy needs to be way more than the 50 capital ships that is now merely a pipe dream. It will take time to rebuild that capabilty. the Air Force needs to provide air defence forces and maritime patrol. Its not too late but we're getting there. Now, a defensive force doesn't win wars so lets not neglect the offensive air for too long. Hopefully F35 will deliver.
I started simplistically but it's maybe [Edit typo to please LM] fundamentals that we seem to have forgotten in the recent offshore patrols.
So if we want to venture further afield we need to spend more than we cuurently spend.
Last edited by Geehovah; 6th Aug 2011 at 19:59.