Originally Posted by
teeteringhead
The balanced force would (will?) give that flexibility of capability that is required.
Sadly, the force must also be (or will always be) as lean as the Treasury dictate.
The conversation should always be - and never is - thus:
1. PM: We want you to be able to do "this".
2. CDS: Yessir - that will cost you £X Bn.
3. Treas: Can't have that, can only have £X - Y Bn
4. CDS: Then we can only do "this" minus "that"
5. GOTO 1
Spot on. From what I've observed during op planning at the Mil Strat level it generally goes something like:
1. PM: We want you to be able to do 'something'.
2. CDS: Yessir - not sure exactly what you mean by 'something'; but I can give you this (which I think meets your poorly articulated strategic intent) which will cost you £X Bn.
3. Treas: We don't thing that the PM meant that much 'something' so you can't have that, can only have £X - Y Bn
4. CDS: Then we can only do "this" minus "that"
5. GOTO 1