This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/6751959.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Ex-Navy head seeks spending boost Ex-Navy head seeks spending boost
(about 5 hours later)
Britain's safety and prosperity depends on greater defence investment, the former head of the Royal Navy has said.Britain's safety and prosperity depends on greater defence investment, the former head of the Royal Navy has said.
Admiral Sir Alan West said "an extremely dangerous world" demanded increased spending on the armed forces. Admiral Sir Alan West, who was First Sea Lord from 2002-6, said "an extremely dangerous world" demanded increased spending on the armed forces.
He also warned against an "arrogance" that assumed Britain's future threats would come only from terrorism and Middle East conflict.He also warned against an "arrogance" that assumed Britain's future threats would come only from terrorism and Middle East conflict.
The next 50 years could see "very, very unpleasant" threats, he said.The next 50 years could see "very, very unpleasant" threats, he said.
Sir Alan, who was First Sea Lord from 2002-6, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "We are in an extremely dangerous world. Sir Alan told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "We are in an extremely dangerous world.
"I'm afraid to say that in the next 50 years there might well be something very, very unpleasant and very different from anything anyone has predicted and I believe we need a powerful maritime force to look after this island.""I'm afraid to say that in the next 50 years there might well be something very, very unpleasant and very different from anything anyone has predicted and I believe we need a powerful maritime force to look after this island."
He said Britain's future safety depended particularly on maintaining its maritime strength and called for extra destroyers, frigates and aircraft carriers.He said Britain's future safety depended particularly on maintaining its maritime strength and called for extra destroyers, frigates and aircraft carriers.
'Grown-up debate''Grown-up debate'
"I think there needs to be a real debate about the amount of money spent on defence," Sir Alan said."I think there needs to be a real debate about the amount of money spent on defence," Sir Alan said.
"If one looks at the things the government wants us to do around the world, we probably need more money for defence and there needs to be a very grown-up debate about that.""If one looks at the things the government wants us to do around the world, we probably need more money for defence and there needs to be a very grown-up debate about that."
Sir Alan cautioned it would be "very dangerous" to assume Britain's future defence needs would be dominated by counter-terrorism and peace-keeping tasks.Sir Alan cautioned it would be "very dangerous" to assume Britain's future defence needs would be dominated by counter-terrorism and peace-keeping tasks.
Speaking on the 25th anniversary of the end of the Falklands War, in which he served, Sir Alan said maintaining Britain's sea power was also vital for the country's success on the global stage.Speaking on the 25th anniversary of the end of the Falklands War, in which he served, Sir Alan said maintaining Britain's sea power was also vital for the country's success on the global stage.
A Ministry of Defence spokesman said the defence budget had been rising above inflation since 2000.A Ministry of Defence spokesman said the defence budget had been rising above inflation since 2000.
"In 2007-8 the defence budget will be £33.4bn. We also spend some £6bn a year on world-class new equipment for the armed forces," the spokesman said."In 2007-8 the defence budget will be £33.4bn. We also spend some £6bn a year on world-class new equipment for the armed forces," the spokesman said.