Given the importance of allies to the implementation of both SDSR 2010 and DSR 2015, it is essential that the UK’s key strategic allies are fully engaged in the process from an early stage. (Paragraph 85)
A huge flaw in our defence planning is reliance on allies. As an example, a key mitigation factor for the removal of the Nimrod MRA 4 was the reliance on our allies to fill the (temporary) MPA capability gap. This may have been okay in 2010 when the USN CNO, his French equivalent, Canadian CAS etc. offered to help out when called for. However, and unsuprisingly, our allies have defence reviews too and what may have been offered 3 years ago may no longer be an option now.
Acknowledging what our allies are up to is one thing and the US pivot to the Pacific could have immense repercussions. But, we really need to be able to stand alone to achieve whatever our country expects of us and any help offered by allies is purely a bonus.