DefenceSynergia Rapid Response to the Strategic Defence Review 25 Announcement
DefenceSynergia (DS) is unimpressed by the lack of financial clarity that a supine political establishment has allowed to develop around the funding of this important Strategic Defence Review (SDR 25). In short it is a good report totally undermined by a government (the Cabinet Office and HM Treasury) that place rhetoric above clarity of action.
Is the UK threatened or isn’t it?
To the DS veterans who experienced Service life the SDR 25 is another example of political aspirations with no resources. The current quality of life in the Armed Services is uncomfortable/dire while expectations from the puffery grow, the public remain unaware that the readiness state of HM Armed Forces across the board continues to seriously decline.
Jam next month does not make toast today
An example is the SSN fleet status. Disgracefully two SSNs, HMS Artful and HMS Ambush, have been inactive for well over two years. There is still no sign of the floating docks for them to become operational.
Does anyone in the MOD, or parliament or any member of the Defence Select Committee care/know about this? Two £1bn a throw SSNs unable to operate because there is no infrastructure to maintain them! Additionally, HMS Audacious had to wait over 18 months to dry dock after only one operational patrol since commissioning.
Further, it is embedded comments in the SDR 25 such as: Further E-7 should be procured when funding allows (taking account of infrastructure and operating costs) which pepper the SDR that really concern DS.
We in DS will begin to believe the promises (particularly in regard to SSNs and aircraft) when we see firm plans and timescales formally introduced.
Frankly these vague aspirations are simply not good enough.
If this were the NHS being discussed a medical professional would be talking in public about the issues but Armed Forces people are not allowed to talk, they are gagged by a Defence Instruction and Notice.
DS is not gagged and we are appalled!
