Ex-general attacks MoD capability

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The Ministry of Defence (MoD) is "institutionally incapable" of adapting to rapid change needed to fight modern wars, a former Army commander has said.

Maj Gen Andrew Mackay accused the military of failing to understand local Afghans' motivations and called for fresh thinking on the battlefield.

His comments are published in a report by the MoD's Defence Academy.

The MoD said it would consider the report but it did "not represent the views of the MoD or wider government".

Maj Gen Mackay retired in September, citing personal reasons.

Most recently, he led a successful British operation to recapture Musa Qala from the Taliban.

The paper, co-authored by Royal Navy Commander Steve Tatham, also highlighted a need for more focus on "behaviourist" strategy and criticised the shelving of academic research and courses for non-commissioned MoD officers.

The structures, despite the best will in the world, are institutionally incapable of keeping pace with rapid change and the associated willingness to adapt - and quickly - at the same time Maj Gen Andrew Mackay

Its publication by the Defence Academy in Shrivenham, Oxfordshire, comes as the the 246th member of the British military is killed on operations in Afghanistan.

The unnamed soldier, from 1st Battalion, The Royal Anglian Regiment, died in an explosion in the Nad-e-Ali area of Helmand province on Sunday.

In the report, Maj Gen Mackay claimed that if the military was to be successful in battle, it had to focus on understanding the culture, economy and psychology of the Taliban.

It suggested the Western education system was designed for a previous age and could not adapt to future challenges.

'Enthusiastic amateurs'

It went on: "We fear that the British armed forces may be similarly pre-disposed and from the top of the MoD through to the Army's staff colleges, the structures, despite the best will in the world, are institutionally incapable of keeping pace with rapid change and the associated willingness to adapt - and quickly - at the same time."

The authors called for a radical change in attitude over the importance of information and media officers to conflicts such as Afghanistan.

At present "well-meaning and enthusiastic amateurs" were seconded from every branch of the military for two or three-year tours, who "did their best with minimal training but who are unlikely to return to such duties again", they said.

It was "ridiculous" such positions were given to people with no experience as they were "one of the most important appointments to any battle group or staff", they added.

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: "The Defence Academy seeks to stimulate debate and discussion to aid the formulation of policy and while we will consider this report it does not represent the views of the MoD or wider government.

"The MoD and the armed forces are constantly evolving to deliver the best military capability at home, abroad and particularly in Afghanistan where our training and strategy joins military action with social and economic development alongside the other 43 nations with whom we are operating."