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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Admiral to defend Royal Navy role | Admiral to defend Royal Navy role |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| The UK's First Sea Lord is to stress the importance of having a Royal Navy fleet that can operate worldwide with full capabilities. | The UK's First Sea Lord is to stress the importance of having a Royal Navy fleet that can operate worldwide with full capabilities. |
| In a speech, Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope will say the UK's influence and commercial interests depend on it. | In a speech, Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope will say the UK's influence and commercial interests depend on it. |
| UK military chiefs have been outlining their visions for future defence needs, ahead of the defence review. | UK military chiefs have been outlining their visions for future defence needs, ahead of the defence review. |
| On Monday the head of the army called for a shift in defence spending, with less emphasis on expensive equipment. | On Monday the head of the army called for a shift in defence spending, with less emphasis on expensive equipment. |
| BBC defence correspondent Caroline Wyatt says that Admiral Stanhope will counter that view in his speech in London later. | BBC defence correspondent Caroline Wyatt says that Admiral Stanhope will counter that view in his speech in London later. |
| Both the head of the army, Sir David Richards, and the Royal Navy's chief agree that Britain must be well-prepared for future conflicts, and that prevention is better than cure. | Both the head of the army, Sir David Richards, and the Royal Navy's chief agree that Britain must be well-prepared for future conflicts, and that prevention is better than cure. |
| However, their visions for the future for Britain's armed forces differ in some key aspects, our correspondent adds. | However, their visions for the future for Britain's armed forces differ in some key aspects, our correspondent adds. |
| ANALYSIS Caroline Wyatt, BBC defence correspondent Many will see Admiral Stanhope's arguments as a direct riposte to the idea that Britain has put too much emphasis on "hugely expensive equipment". He will say that the UK's influence and commercial interests depend on a fleet that can operate worldwide with full capabilities. Where the head of the Army argued for more specialised and highly skilled soldiers, the head of the Navy will cite the Falklands as the type of strategic shock that the UK must remain fully prepared to counter. Military chiefs fight their corners | |
| Admiral Stanhope will argue that the forces must look beyond the example of Afghanistan. | Admiral Stanhope will argue that the forces must look beyond the example of Afghanistan. |
| Meanwhile, Gen Richards argued for more specialised and highly skilled troops on the ground. | Meanwhile, Gen Richards argued for more specialised and highly skilled troops on the ground. |
| Strategic shock | Strategic shock |
| He told the International Institute for Strategic Studies there was too much emphasis on cutting-edge technology and not enough on cheaper troops and staff. | He told the International Institute for Strategic Studies there was too much emphasis on cutting-edge technology and not enough on cheaper troops and staff. |
| "Our armed forces are primarily structured and equipped for the last war, for a war of technology against technology, armour against armour," he said. | "Our armed forces are primarily structured and equipped for the last war, for a war of technology against technology, armour against armour," he said. |
| "We have pared down our forces numbers, replacing people with hardware and thoughts with process." | "We have pared down our forces numbers, replacing people with hardware and thoughts with process." |
| Although Gen Richards has suggested the emphasis on expensive equipment such as fast jets or larger warships is not the answer for the future, Admiral Stanhope is expected to challenge that view, saying the navy contributes significantly to defending Britain's global interests as a maritime nation. | Although Gen Richards has suggested the emphasis on expensive equipment such as fast jets or larger warships is not the answer for the future, Admiral Stanhope is expected to challenge that view, saying the navy contributes significantly to defending Britain's global interests as a maritime nation. |
| He will also use the Falklands as an example of the kind of strategic shock Britain must remain ready to counter. | He will also use the Falklands as an example of the kind of strategic shock Britain must remain ready to counter. |
| The Royal Navy fears that some planned projects, such as two new aircraft carriers and the US fighter jets to put on them, could be cut or scaled back in the defence review. | The Royal Navy fears that some planned projects, such as two new aircraft carriers and the US fighter jets to put on them, could be cut or scaled back in the defence review. |