Most defence experts think the balance between ground, air and sea capabilities is inappropriate The strategic defence review missed a chance to radically rethink the UK’s role in the world, a survey suggests.
The independent defence think-tank, the Royal United Services Institute, (RUSI) asked more than 2,000 defence experts to assess the impact of the cuts.
About 68% considered the review a lost opportunity for a more challenging re-assessment of the UK’s role.
And there were “deep concerns” the efficiency of forces was being pursued at the detriment of strategy.
More than 90% of the 2,015 people questioned in the RUSI survey thought the government was right to make defence part of a wider review of national security.
‘Perennial problems’
“The review may have concluded, but the process goes on and it will still be painful and divisive”
Professor Michael Clarke RUSI
Only a third believed the review of defence and security had kept the appropriate balance between ground, air and sea capabilities.
The majority, though, agreed it was right to make the frontline in Afghanistan the main defence priority up to 2015, when the next review will take place, even if that meant greater cuts to other areas.
RUSI director Professor Michael Clarke said the responses revealed relief the cuts were not higher than 8%, but disappointment the review had not really settled any of the defence arguments.
He said: “The review may have concluded, but the process goes on and it will still be painful and divisive as it does so.”
He pointed out that the “perennial problems” still have to be tackled, namely:
Over-committed forces;The need to get Afghanistan right before any other serious adjustments;The debate over maritime and ground-based strategies partly reflected in the carrier discussions;The right balance of forces; andThe effect of the review on defence relations with the US and France
Two-thirds of the experts also thought the review struck a reasonable balance between cuts in the defence budget and in other public services.
The Royal Navy, Army and RAF are to lose 17,000 service personnel, including the entire Harrier force, while 25,000 civil service jobs are also due to be cut a result of the review.
The Navy’s flagship HMS Ark Royal and planned Nimrod spy planes are also being axed.
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