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| War rules rewritten, says general | |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| The rules of war have been rewritten by the challenges of fighting insurgents in Iraq and Afghanistan, the head of the Army has said. | |
| Gen Sir David Richards called for more investment in hi-tech equipment such as spy planes and cyber-defences to shift away from "old war fighting". | Gen Sir David Richards called for more investment in hi-tech equipment such as spy planes and cyber-defences to shift away from "old war fighting". |
| His views come amid the backdrop of a defence review after the general election and potential spending cuts. | His views come amid the backdrop of a defence review after the general election and potential spending cuts. |
| Gen Richards is expected to elaborate on these ideas in a speech later. | Gen Richards is expected to elaborate on these ideas in a speech later. |
| He will address the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London. | He will address the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London. |
| He believes Britain's enemies will have seen from Iraq and Afghanistan that for relatively little cost, opponents with cheap weaponry can pose a deadly threat Caroline WyattBBC defence correspondent | He believes Britain's enemies will have seen from Iraq and Afghanistan that for relatively little cost, opponents with cheap weaponry can pose a deadly threat Caroline WyattBBC defence correspondent |
| He is thought to believe future conflicts will be fought in increasingly hi-tech ways and that the threat of cyber-attacks against Britain's infrastructure mean radical change is unavoidable. | He is thought to believe future conflicts will be fought in increasingly hi-tech ways and that the threat of cyber-attacks against Britain's infrastructure mean radical change is unavoidable. |
| Gen Richards has compared it to the moment British forces realised they had to phase out cavalry on horseback in favour of using tanks in World War I. | Gen Richards has compared it to the moment British forces realised they had to phase out cavalry on horseback in favour of using tanks in World War I. |
| Despite the need for hi-tech equipment, he also insists more Army manpower is necessary. | Despite the need for hi-tech equipment, he also insists more Army manpower is necessary. |
| However, Gen Richards expects significant spending cuts in the upcoming defence review and says that while Britain still needs ships, aircraft and tanks, there may have to be fewer of them. | However, Gen Richards expects significant spending cuts in the upcoming defence review and says that while Britain still needs ships, aircraft and tanks, there may have to be fewer of them. |
| BBC defence correspondent Caroline Wyatt said: "Gen Sir David Richards says the UK has been in denial ever since the end of the Cold War on how future wars are likely to be fought. | BBC defence correspondent Caroline Wyatt said: "Gen Sir David Richards says the UK has been in denial ever since the end of the Cold War on how future wars are likely to be fought. |
| "He believes Britain's enemies will have seen from Iraq and Afghanistan that for relatively little cost, opponents with cheap weaponry can pose a deadly threat - with future opponents likely to use similar tactics." | "He believes Britain's enemies will have seen from Iraq and Afghanistan that for relatively little cost, opponents with cheap weaponry can pose a deadly threat - with future opponents likely to use similar tactics." |
| She added that all three service chiefs will be outlining their different visions for the future as the defence review draws closer and the battle for resources intensifies. | She added that all three service chiefs will be outlining their different visions for the future as the defence review draws closer and the battle for resources intensifies. |