Equipment Planning
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Equipment Planning
Can anyone recall an important UK defence equipment plan that actually came to fruition, in that the numbers envisaged were the same as those delivered? While the long-term nature of equipment planning means that numbers need to be kept flexible, the principal reason for cuts is rarely to do with doctrinal changes and almost always related to cost saving.
Do our procurement planners deliberately 'over-order', in anticipation of inevitable cut-backs or does the Treasury cut-back, in the belief that the procurement planners always over-egg the pudding? Is the whole thing just a cynical game, designed to keep people employed in the MOD and the Treasury?
Meanwhile, it seems the latest round of cuts are upon us:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/military/s...066448,00.html
Do our procurement planners deliberately 'over-order', in anticipation of inevitable cut-backs or does the Treasury cut-back, in the belief that the procurement planners always over-egg the pudding? Is the whole thing just a cynical game, designed to keep people employed in the MOD and the Treasury?
Meanwhile, it seems the latest round of cuts are upon us:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/military/s...066448,00.html
Last edited by Scud-U-Like; 19th Oct 2003 at 20:33.
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The logic for further cuts is simple:
We complain that our kit is crap, we are undermanned and we do not get the right training.
Then we win wars whilst fighting fires and gain IIP awards.
Therefore:
The kit must be good.
We must be overmanned if we can win wars and still front up 19,000 bods for Op FRESCO.
IIP implies we are training our people.
In answer to your questions, in order:
No.
No the scrutineers will not allow over egging.
Yes, the layers of scrutineering both technical and financial ensure many are involved in the development of the Business Case required to support a procurement programme. Lots of jobs.
We complain that our kit is crap, we are undermanned and we do not get the right training.
Then we win wars whilst fighting fires and gain IIP awards.
Therefore:
The kit must be good.
We must be overmanned if we can win wars and still front up 19,000 bods for Op FRESCO.
IIP implies we are training our people.
In answer to your questions, in order:
No.
No the scrutineers will not allow over egging.
Yes, the layers of scrutineering both technical and financial ensure many are involved in the development of the Business Case required to support a procurement programme. Lots of jobs.
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The current problem is that we cannot justify our equipment needs by referring to the threat as we used to do in the cold war days. The threat is less easily defined but is probably much more hazardous and likely to cause conflict. So far we have been fortunate to call the shots and had time to await the fruition of emergency steps to obtain what we needed but did not have but we will not always be able to do this and might become reactive without the means to adequately defend our way of life.
This government urgently needs more money to fund its' spending and it does not want to renege on its' election pledge not to raise income tax - the fact that it has already raised practically every other tax is largely ignored by the majority of the great British electorate who voted the liar in with a majority large enough to make him a dictator.
In the absense of a defined threat the military are going to have to do even more with less - so what's new?
This government urgently needs more money to fund its' spending and it does not want to renege on its' election pledge not to raise income tax - the fact that it has already raised practically every other tax is largely ignored by the majority of the great British electorate who voted the liar in with a majority large enough to make him a dictator.
In the absense of a defined threat the military are going to have to do even more with less - so what's new?
never did like the SAR force!
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Soddim, some light reading.
This document sets out what we are supposed to be aiming at.
The Future Strategic Context for Defence
Some bits:
Physical Dimension: Implications for Defence
Environmental stresses and resource shortages can aggravate social and political tensions, and policies and preventative measures, which address these stresses, have a role to play in conflict prevention.
Calls on Western forces to contribute to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts will increase.
Maintaining influence in the Gulf and safeguarding the security, and promoting the internal stability of regional allies there remains important.
Demographic changes will mean that we will have to work even harder to recruit and retain sufficient good quality people from a smaller pool, against strong competition.
An aging population will add to financial pressures on Western Governments, particularly elsewhere in Europe.
Technological Dimension: Implications for Defence
Revolutionary changes in technology (or the application of technology) will require matching changes in military doctrine, culture and structures to realise their full potential
MOD’s research investment strategy must be better matched to the technological environment of the future, aiming to achieve excellence in certain selected areas and responding to changing circumstances
MOD’s research and development effort should emphasise relevant technology areas that will not interest the civil sector and closely monitor the possible development of alternative advanced military capabilities in other countries. As sensitive technologies become more widely available, we must seek to preserve our edge in key technology areas
Generally, we must exploit civil research and development to the maximum and ensure ready access to the technology of other nations, in particular the US, and we must seek to bring greater cohesion to the European defence research and technology programme. All this is linked to a need to make the procurement system more responsive to rapid technological change
We will require greater technological capability amongst our personnel
Social Dimension: Implications for Defence
Social factors and change will be a major influence on defence. We will need to respond to changes in society and domestic legislation in ways that preserve operational effectiveness
Proactive communication strategies will be required to maintain the status and relevance of defence in the public eye, and to attract into into the Armed Forces sufficient people of the right calibre.
Pressure to mount military operations for "moral" reasons will increase, although over the life of protracted operations support may wane. Where possible, we need to develop a clear post-operational strategy before engaging in operations
It will be essential in all military operations that damage inflicted is seen to be proportionate both to the issues at stake, and the military advantage gained, and that collateral damage is minimised. Weapon systems will need to be developed and procured with this in mind
Rapid and accurate information on the progress of operations will be essential to an effective information strategy
Systems, strategies and force protection measures which allow us to minimise casualties without prejudicing the achievement of military objectives will be essential to maintaining freedom of action
The need to protect UK citizens overseas (including by evacuation in the event of conflict) is likely periodically to place demands on UK forces
The ability to mount rapid and effective military operations in challenging circumstances will be crucial not only to respond to a wide range of potential crises but, through deterrence, to contribute to conflict prevention
We will need to adjust the balance of capabilities over time to exploit new methods of operating and counter equipment and strategies being adopted by potential adversaries. Similarly, military doctrine must be flexible and able to adapt to changing threats
The ability to deploy forces rapidly and sustain them in theatre will remain vital
Maintenance of information superiority will be imperative, and information operations will become more important. We must maintain a capability to counter information operations, and design systems and strategies to resist such threats. Cryptography and information protection will be vital, and increasingly difficult to achieve
There will be a growing requirement for real time surveillance (across the electro-magnetic spectrum) both to support operational decisions and to inform the international, public and media audience
Joint (and coalition) thinking must be the foundation of doctrine, with a shift in emphasis over the period from joint to fully-integrated, inter-agency operations, involving OGDs and NGOs. Inter-operability will be vital
Deterrence policy needs to be developed to focus on threats below the strategic level, and UK policy on BMD will need to develop in response to changes in the nature of the threat and the defensive capabilities available. Doctrine, planning and training and exercise policies must prepare to deter and defend against the use of NBC
Western defence sales need to be managed carefully to avoid creating long term threats to the security of forces engaged in crisis management operations. We should seek to encourage others not to permit sales of defence equipment where these damage regional stability
Personnel policies and practices will play a crucial role in generating future military capability and we may need to shift investment towards people (or towards technologies and procedures that enable us to make better use of people). We must be prepared to review levels of activity, including operations, in order to avoid placing unreasonable demands on service personnel.
AND YES I DO NEED TO GO OUT MORE
This document sets out what we are supposed to be aiming at.
The Future Strategic Context for Defence
Some bits:
Physical Dimension: Implications for Defence
Environmental stresses and resource shortages can aggravate social and political tensions, and policies and preventative measures, which address these stresses, have a role to play in conflict prevention.
Calls on Western forces to contribute to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts will increase.
Maintaining influence in the Gulf and safeguarding the security, and promoting the internal stability of regional allies there remains important.
Demographic changes will mean that we will have to work even harder to recruit and retain sufficient good quality people from a smaller pool, against strong competition.
An aging population will add to financial pressures on Western Governments, particularly elsewhere in Europe.
Technological Dimension: Implications for Defence
Revolutionary changes in technology (or the application of technology) will require matching changes in military doctrine, culture and structures to realise their full potential
MOD’s research investment strategy must be better matched to the technological environment of the future, aiming to achieve excellence in certain selected areas and responding to changing circumstances
MOD’s research and development effort should emphasise relevant technology areas that will not interest the civil sector and closely monitor the possible development of alternative advanced military capabilities in other countries. As sensitive technologies become more widely available, we must seek to preserve our edge in key technology areas
Generally, we must exploit civil research and development to the maximum and ensure ready access to the technology of other nations, in particular the US, and we must seek to bring greater cohesion to the European defence research and technology programme. All this is linked to a need to make the procurement system more responsive to rapid technological change
We will require greater technological capability amongst our personnel
Social Dimension: Implications for Defence
Social factors and change will be a major influence on defence. We will need to respond to changes in society and domestic legislation in ways that preserve operational effectiveness
Proactive communication strategies will be required to maintain the status and relevance of defence in the public eye, and to attract into into the Armed Forces sufficient people of the right calibre.
Pressure to mount military operations for "moral" reasons will increase, although over the life of protracted operations support may wane. Where possible, we need to develop a clear post-operational strategy before engaging in operations
It will be essential in all military operations that damage inflicted is seen to be proportionate both to the issues at stake, and the military advantage gained, and that collateral damage is minimised. Weapon systems will need to be developed and procured with this in mind
Rapid and accurate information on the progress of operations will be essential to an effective information strategy
Systems, strategies and force protection measures which allow us to minimise casualties without prejudicing the achievement of military objectives will be essential to maintaining freedom of action
The need to protect UK citizens overseas (including by evacuation in the event of conflict) is likely periodically to place demands on UK forces
The ability to mount rapid and effective military operations in challenging circumstances will be crucial not only to respond to a wide range of potential crises but, through deterrence, to contribute to conflict prevention
We will need to adjust the balance of capabilities over time to exploit new methods of operating and counter equipment and strategies being adopted by potential adversaries. Similarly, military doctrine must be flexible and able to adapt to changing threats
The ability to deploy forces rapidly and sustain them in theatre will remain vital
Maintenance of information superiority will be imperative, and information operations will become more important. We must maintain a capability to counter information operations, and design systems and strategies to resist such threats. Cryptography and information protection will be vital, and increasingly difficult to achieve
There will be a growing requirement for real time surveillance (across the electro-magnetic spectrum) both to support operational decisions and to inform the international, public and media audience
Joint (and coalition) thinking must be the foundation of doctrine, with a shift in emphasis over the period from joint to fully-integrated, inter-agency operations, involving OGDs and NGOs. Inter-operability will be vital
Deterrence policy needs to be developed to focus on threats below the strategic level, and UK policy on BMD will need to develop in response to changes in the nature of the threat and the defensive capabilities available. Doctrine, planning and training and exercise policies must prepare to deter and defend against the use of NBC
Western defence sales need to be managed carefully to avoid creating long term threats to the security of forces engaged in crisis management operations. We should seek to encourage others not to permit sales of defence equipment where these damage regional stability
Personnel policies and practices will play a crucial role in generating future military capability and we may need to shift investment towards people (or towards technologies and procedures that enable us to make better use of people). We must be prepared to review levels of activity, including operations, in order to avoid placing unreasonable demands on service personnel.
AND YES I DO NEED TO GO OUT MORE
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It should be pointed out that in the case of the Eurofighter the 232 units figure was made up in 1988 when the big bad bear was still around and that every other country in the Eurofighter program has reduced their 1988 era procuement figure. Except for us. Just like the RAF has halved in size since 1988 so will our Euroflabber buy.
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I'm very pleased, Phoney Tony, that I no longer have to plan a training programme to prepare for the strategic defence context you have so succinctly outlined - must say, though, a lot of it makes sense. However, you don't get owt for nowt in my part of the world and if this government wants to strut the world stage and commit our forces to worldwide action they had better be prepared to ante up to a defence budget commensurate with their delusions of grandeur.
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Why do they need to increase the defence budget. Surely they can get the money they need by robbing the Armed Forces Pension Fund like Robert Maxwell.... only what the MoD is doing is supposed to be 'legal' (ha ha ha - not).
