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| Dannatt: UK needs more troops to 'send military message' | Dannatt: UK needs more troops to 'send military message' |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The UK should recruit more soldiers in light of the Ukraine and Syria crises, the former head of the Army has said. | The UK should recruit more soldiers in light of the Ukraine and Syria crises, the former head of the Army has said. |
| Writing in the Daily Telegraph, Lord Dannatt said boosting troops would send a message that "Britain takes its defence responsibilities seriously". | Writing in the Daily Telegraph, Lord Dannatt said boosting troops would send a message that "Britain takes its defence responsibilities seriously". |
| He suggested the extra 3,000 troops could be stationed in Germany. | He suggested the extra 3,000 troops could be stationed in Germany. |
| Amid Nato concerns over a build-up of Russian forces on Ukraine's borders, it is not the time for the West to be "weak in resolve and muscle", he said. | Amid Nato concerns over a build-up of Russian forces on Ukraine's borders, it is not the time for the West to be "weak in resolve and muscle", he said. |
| Nato's military commander in Europe said Russian forces at the Ukrainian border were "very, very sizeable and very, very ready". | Nato's military commander in Europe said Russian forces at the Ukrainian border were "very, very sizeable and very, very ready". |
| Supreme Allied Commander Europe Gen Philip Breedlove expressed specific concerns about the threat to Moldova's Trans-Dniester region. Russia said its forces east of Ukraine complied with international agreements. | Supreme Allied Commander Europe Gen Philip Breedlove expressed specific concerns about the threat to Moldova's Trans-Dniester region. Russia said its forces east of Ukraine complied with international agreements. |
| The build-up has been linked to Russia's annexation of Crimea from Ukraine, following the removal of Ukraine's pro-Moscow president. | The build-up has been linked to Russia's annexation of Crimea from Ukraine, following the removal of Ukraine's pro-Moscow president. |
| 'Stark reminders' | 'Stark reminders' |
| Lord Dannatt, who was chief of the general staff between 2006 and 2008, warned that despite the "war-weariness and war-wariness" felt by the UK, recent developments have shown "strategic shocks happen". | |
| "While there is neither the logic nor appetite for intervention in Syria, nor a treaty obligation requiring military intervention in Ukraine, both situations are stark reminders of how the strategic landscape can change," he wrote. | "While there is neither the logic nor appetite for intervention in Syria, nor a treaty obligation requiring military intervention in Ukraine, both situations are stark reminders of how the strategic landscape can change," he wrote. |
| Russian President Vladimir Putin will look beyond diplomacy and sanctions "to see where the real check on his actions might come from", said the former chief of the general staff. | Russian President Vladimir Putin will look beyond diplomacy and sanctions "to see where the real check on his actions might come from", said the former chief of the general staff. |
| "Whether his ambition reaches into eastern Ukraine or elsewhere, only he knows," wrote Lord Dannatt. | "Whether his ambition reaches into eastern Ukraine or elsewhere, only he knows," wrote Lord Dannatt. |
| "However, with a resurgent Russia, this is a poor moment for the US-led West to be weak in resolve and muscle." | "However, with a resurgent Russia, this is a poor moment for the US-led West to be weak in resolve and muscle." |
| He spoke of "uncomfortable shadows of the Thirties" and added: "Russia has long been the ally of Syria. | He spoke of "uncomfortable shadows of the Thirties" and added: "Russia has long been the ally of Syria. |
| "Mr Putin will see the UN and EU as virtually powerless to impose their will on [Syria's] President Assad, and will be further encouraged." | "Mr Putin will see the UN and EU as virtually powerless to impose their will on [Syria's] President Assad, and will be further encouraged." |
| 'Challenging landscape' | 'Challenging landscape' |
| Lord Dannatt said an extra 3,000 troops could be stationed in Germany to "underline our commitment to peace and security" to allies in the EU and Nato. | Lord Dannatt said an extra 3,000 troops could be stationed in Germany to "underline our commitment to peace and security" to allies in the EU and Nato. |
| While recognising financial pressures, "to remove further resources from defence would be sending exactly the wrong message at this time", according to Lord Dannatt. | While recognising financial pressures, "to remove further resources from defence would be sending exactly the wrong message at this time", according to Lord Dannatt. |
| "On the contrary, there is a strong argument to recognise that the international landscape is more challenging than in 2010, and consider making a statement that greater military capability must underpin our diplomacy," he added. | "On the contrary, there is a strong argument to recognise that the international landscape is more challenging than in 2010, and consider making a statement that greater military capability must underpin our diplomacy," he added. |
| Current plans for cuts to the Army would see personnel numbers reduced from 102,000 to 82,000 by 2018. The number of part-time soldiers would double, from 15,000 to 30,000. | Current plans for cuts to the Army would see personnel numbers reduced from 102,000 to 82,000 by 2018. The number of part-time soldiers would double, from 15,000 to 30,000. |
| Lord Dannatt said there is "genuine concern" as to whether sufficient reservists could be recruited and trained, however. | Lord Dannatt said there is "genuine concern" as to whether sufficient reservists could be recruited and trained, however. |
| He suggested the Defence Reform Bill going through the House of Lords could be the opportunity to alter the balance between regular and reserve soldiers in the Army. | He suggested the Defence Reform Bill going through the House of Lords could be the opportunity to alter the balance between regular and reserve soldiers in the Army. |