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UK 'must co-operate' on defence UK 'will need defence coalitions'
(about 1 hour later)
The UK must improve ties with international allies to ensure it can properly defend itself, Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth has said. UK forces are likely to operate as part of international coalitions in future conflicts, Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth has told the Commons.
Outlining a Green Paper on defence reform, he told the Commons Britain must examine its role in the world and the resources it needs to perform it. Outlining a Green Paper on military reform, he said "further integration" with key allies may be needed.
The paper does not reveal spending figures or the future of major resources like aircraft carriers. It reveals no spending figures but prepares for a post-election spending review amid "real pressure" on budgets.
Mr Ainsworth said it paves the way for a spending review after the election. The Tories say ministers have put security at risk because spending must be cut to reduce the nation's debt.
"The future defence budget will have to be conducted against the backdrop of government debt of £799bn," shadow defence secretary Liam Fox said.
None of the three main parties has said they will protect the defence budget from anticipated spending cuts and all back a root and branch review of defence policy after the election - widely expected to be held in May.None of the three main parties has said they will protect the defence budget from anticipated spending cuts and all back a root and branch review of defence policy after the election - widely expected to be held in May.
Mr Ainsworth said the conflict in Afghanistan, which has claimed the lives of 253 UK forces personnel, remained the immediate priority.Mr Ainsworth said the conflict in Afghanistan, which has claimed the lives of 253 UK forces personnel, remained the immediate priority.
The most important question raised by the Green Paper is: "What does Britain want to do in the world?" Jonathan BealeBBC News Questions on future of UK militaryThe most important question raised by the Green Paper is: "What does Britain want to do in the world?" Jonathan BealeBBC News Questions on future of UK military
Funding from the Treasury reserve would increase from £3.5bn to £5bn next year, he said.Funding from the Treasury reserve would increase from £3.5bn to £5bn next year, he said.
However, the defence secretary told the Commons: "We certainly cannot assume that the conflicts of tomorrow, however, will replicate those of today."However, the defence secretary told the Commons: "We certainly cannot assume that the conflicts of tomorrow, however, will replicate those of today."
The country needed "anticipate a wide range of threats", including cyber attacks, the threat posed by failing states and conflict over dwindling stocks of natural resources, he said. The country must "anticipate a wide range of threats", including cyber attacks, the danger posed by failing states and conflict over dwindling stocks of natural resources, he said.
But he said: "No nation can hope to protect all aspects of national security acting alone.But he said: "No nation can hope to protect all aspects of national security acting alone.
"Our armed forces must be prepared if called upon to protect our interests, often in distant places, and most likely as part of a coalition of international forces.""Our armed forces must be prepared if called upon to protect our interests, often in distant places, and most likely as part of a coalition of international forces."
Mr Ainsworth said the UK's most important alliance remained with the US but that it must also strengthen its position in Europe.
"We will continue to press European allies to contribute more to our collective defence effort," he said.
'More with less'
Among the issues the paper would examine, was whether the UK should "further integrate" its forces with those of key allies, he said.
In a press conference, Mr Ainsworth said the "likelihood" was the Royal Navy would still get its two planned new aircraft carriers.In a press conference, Mr Ainsworth said the "likelihood" was the Royal Navy would still get its two planned new aircraft carriers.
The Tories say Labour has under-funded the armed forces since 1997
However, he refused to be drawn on American-built Joint Strike Fighters (JSF) intended to fly from them.However, he refused to be drawn on American-built Joint Strike Fighters (JSF) intended to fly from them.
'More with less'
Professor Michael Clarke, director of the Royal United Services Institute think tank, saw an advanced copy of the Green Paper.Professor Michael Clarke, director of the Royal United Services Institute think tank, saw an advanced copy of the Green Paper.
He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "The analysis behind this is not explicitly talking about the money because that is something a future government will have to determine, but the implicit idea is that we have got to do more with less."He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "The analysis behind this is not explicitly talking about the money because that is something a future government will have to determine, but the implicit idea is that we have got to do more with less."
The Tories say Labour has under-funded the armed forces since 1997
The last strategic defence review was completed in 1998, a year after Labour came to power.The last strategic defence review was completed in 1998, a year after Labour came to power.
Defence spending is due to increase this year and next, but military experts say the Ministry of Defence's budget could fall by between 10% and 15% in real terms over the next six years if its current and capital expenditure is reduced in line with forecasts for the rest of government.Defence spending is due to increase this year and next, but military experts say the Ministry of Defence's budget could fall by between 10% and 15% in real terms over the next six years if its current and capital expenditure is reduced in line with forecasts for the rest of government.
The Tories say the timing of the Green Paper is politically motivated and the government has consistently under-funded the armed forces since 1997.
HAVE YOUR SAYGiven that we are no longer a world power, our defence policy should be exactly that - "defence" - plus a capability for responding to disastersEleanor, Glasgow Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAYGiven that we are no longer a world power, our defence policy should be exactly that - "defence" - plus a capability for responding to disastersEleanor, Glasgow Send us your comments
"Labour's unforgivable failure to carry out a defence review for 12 years... and the lack of urgency with which they have equipped our forces for the conflict in Afghanistan was always going to have consequences for our security," shadow defence secretary Liam Fox said. The Tories say the timing of the Green Paper is politically motivated and the government has consistently under-funded the armed forces since 1997.
The Lib Dems also say a defence review is urgently needed but maintain it must include the future of Trident, whose renewal was backed by MPs in 2007.The Lib Dems also say a defence review is urgently needed but maintain it must include the future of Trident, whose renewal was backed by MPs in 2007.
The party says the UK can no longer afford the estimated £20bn cost of replacing it and, while continuing to back a deterrent, believes more cost-effective alternatives must be considered.The party says the UK can no longer afford the estimated £20bn cost of replacing it and, while continuing to back a deterrent, believes more cost-effective alternatives must be considered.