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UK defence thinking to be set out UK 'must co-operate' on defence
(40 minutes later)
The future of Britain's armed services will be examined later in a discussion paper, which is expected to recommend more co-operation with European allies. The UK must improve ties with international allies to ensure it can properly defend itself, Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth has said.
The Green Paper is expected to say the UK must make decisions on priorities at a time of tighter budgets and cannot afford to maintain the status quo. 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.
It will not set out spending figures or decisions on aircraft carriers. The paper does not reveal spending figures or the future of major resources like aircraft carriers.
But it will pave the way for a full strategic defence review after the general election, the first since 1998. Mr Ainsworth said it paves the way for a spending review after the election.
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.
Equipment shortage claimsEquipment shortage claims
The Green Paper, which will be debated by MPs on Wednesday, is expected to address Britain's future global role, what its armed forces should be capable of, and how they should be equipped. The Green Paper, which is being debated by MPs, addresses Britain's future global role, what its armed forces should be capable of, and how they should be equipped.
It is likely to draw upon lessons from Afghanistan and Iraq, following claims of equipment shortages - denied by ministers - and suggestions that, by mounting both at the same time, the armed forces were over-stretched. It draws upon lessons from Afghanistan and Iraq, following claims of equipment shortages - denied by ministers - and suggestions that, by mounting both at the same time, the armed forces were over-stretched.
BBC defence correspondent Caroline Wyatt said the Green Paper would contain a warning that Britain could not afford to do everything it was trying to do in defence and would need to adapt its forces faster.
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
She said it would suggest that Britain would have to work more closely with its allies, including improving co-operation with France - the only other European nation to spend similar amounts on its armed forces. 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, has seen a 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."
'Diverse' threats'Diverse' threats
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 Secretary Bob Ainsworth confirmed last summer that a review would be held after the general election and said it must ensure the UK's armed forces were equipped to face future challenges and respond to new threats.Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth confirmed last summer that a review would be held after the general election and said it must ensure the UK's armed forces were equipped to face future challenges and respond to new threats.
Ministers are likely to be pressed on whether the UK can continue to meet its international commitments and also adapt itself for future challenges ahead of a period of budgetary constraints.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown told MPs on Tuesday that supporting UK troops in Afghanistan was the government's number one defence priority. He said all resources requested for the mission would continue to be met by the Treasury.Prime Minister Gordon Brown told MPs on Tuesday that supporting UK troops in Afghanistan was the government's number one defence priority. He said all resources requested for the mission would continue to be met by the Treasury.
The Tories say Labour has under-funded the armed forces since 1997The Tories say Labour has under-funded the armed forces since 1997
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.
Answering questions from senior MPs on Tuesday, the prime minister rejected suggestions the UK was facing a £6bn "black hole" in its defence budget if it signed up fully to existing commitments, including buying two new aircraft carriers and the last batch of Typhoon jet fighters.Answering questions from senior MPs on Tuesday, the prime minister rejected suggestions the UK was facing a £6bn "black hole" in its defence budget if it signed up fully to existing commitments, including buying two new aircraft carriers and the last batch of Typhoon jet fighters.
All the military's requirements in Afghanistan would continue to be met in full, he said, stressing "we are clearly ring-fencing Afghanistan and making it absolutely clear that Afghanistan receives the money necessary".All the military's requirements in Afghanistan would continue to be met in full, he said, stressing "we are clearly ring-fencing Afghanistan and making it absolutely clear that Afghanistan receives the money necessary".
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 Tories say the timing of the Green Paper is politically motivated and the government has consistently under-funded the armed forces since 1997.
"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."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 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.