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Defence review: 'Spend more' on SAS and drones Defence review: 'Spend more' on SAS and drones
(about 2 hours later)
More money should be spent on the SAS and drones to combat the threat of Islamic State (IS) extremists, David Cameron has told defence chiefs. More money should be spent on the SAS and drones to combat the threat of Islamic State extremists, David Cameron has told defence chiefs.
The prime minister has asked them to look at increasing funding for special forces as part of the strategic defence and security review.The prime minister has asked them to look at increasing funding for special forces as part of the strategic defence and security review.
They have also been urged to consider new spy aircraft, including drones.They have also been urged to consider new spy aircraft, including drones.
The priorities were set out after last week's Budget pledged to spend 2% of national wealth on defence until 2020.The priorities were set out after last week's Budget pledged to spend 2% of national wealth on defence until 2020.
Mr Cameron wants the defence review, due to conclude by the end of the year, to prioritise resources that will help to protect the UK from evolving threats - not only extremism but also a more aggressive Russia and the risks posed by cyber attacks.Mr Cameron wants the defence review, due to conclude by the end of the year, to prioritise resources that will help to protect the UK from evolving threats - not only extremism but also a more aggressive Russia and the risks posed by cyber attacks.
The defence chiefs were briefed in a meeting following the unexpected Budget commitment to meet Nato's target of spending 2% of national income on defence every year up to 2020.The defence chiefs were briefed in a meeting following the unexpected Budget commitment to meet Nato's target of spending 2% of national income on defence every year up to 2020.
What are drones?What are drones?
'Vital assets''Vital assets'
Speaking during a visit to RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire, Mr Cameron said: "It's about making sure we are safe in a very dangerous and unstable world.Speaking during a visit to RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire, Mr Cameron said: "It's about making sure we are safe in a very dangerous and unstable world.
"Because we've got a strong economy we can now make the commitment to spending more - over and above inflation - on defence, as much potentially as £6bn more between now and 2020, and that will make sure Britain is safer.""Because we've got a strong economy we can now make the commitment to spending more - over and above inflation - on defence, as much potentially as £6bn more between now and 2020, and that will make sure Britain is safer."
AnalysisAnalysis
By BBC defence correspondent Jonathan BealeBy BBC defence correspondent Jonathan Beale
The prime minister's emphasis on special forces and drones may at first sound sensible.The prime minister's emphasis on special forces and drones may at first sound sensible.
Both UK special forces and the RAF's Reaper crews already work closely with the US, and are highly valued by Britain's closest ally.Both UK special forces and the RAF's Reaper crews already work closely with the US, and are highly valued by Britain's closest ally.
However, neither grows on trees.However, neither grows on trees.
Special forces are selected from the ranks of the Army and the Royal Marines.Special forces are selected from the ranks of the Army and the Royal Marines.
The talent pool has been getting smaller because of cuts to the size of the armed forces - overseen by David Cameron himself.The talent pool has been getting smaller because of cuts to the size of the armed forces - overseen by David Cameron himself.
Those who have served in units like the SAS fear that to increase their number from smaller resources will lead to a lowering of standards.Those who have served in units like the SAS fear that to increase their number from smaller resources will lead to a lowering of standards.
Drones may also be the future.Drones may also be the future.
But the US is now finding, to its cost, that it's hard to attract and retain drone pilots.But the US is now finding, to its cost, that it's hard to attract and retain drone pilots.
The fact is most would still prefer to fly a fast jet.The fact is most would still prefer to fly a fast jet.
The review will also examine how the Royal Navy can work with partners such as the US to use the new aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth to deploy drones and special forces against terror groups. Maj Gen Jonathan Shaw, former director of Special Forces, told BBC Radio 4's World at One that the number of individuals at the "sharp end" could not be immediately increased because the selection process was so rigorous.
The vessel is due to enter service in 2020 and Mr Cameron will welcome some of the ship's company to Downing Street on Monday. "You would not want to devalue the currency," he said.
The RAF's Reaper drones and Tornado jets have been used to carry out airstrikes against militants in Iraq and have also been providing air support for the Iraqi army and Kurdish Peshmerga forces in the fight against IS. "What you can do is increase the capability of the supporting assets. The individual man on the ground is only as powerful as what's supporting him - you need intelligence, drones, air assets, land transport, sea assets."
But Gen Shaw, who is also a former head of counter-terrorism at the MoD, warned of accentuating the military in the fight against IS, also known as Isil.
"If I was the commander of the force sent to defeat Isil, I'd say what is my political end state that I'm aiming to enable. Is it a unitary Iraq? Is it a unitary Syria?" he said.
"Because until you've worked out those questions you don't know who's on your team. "
The RAF's Reaper drones and Tornado jets have been used to carry out air strikes against militants in Iraq and have also been providing air support for the Iraqi army and Kurdish Peshmerga forces in the fight against IS.
In Syria, the UK's drones are limited to a surveillance role - although ministers have begun setting out the case to extend the bombing campaign to the terror group's strongholds in that country.In Syria, the UK's drones are limited to a surveillance role - although ministers have begun setting out the case to extend the bombing campaign to the terror group's strongholds in that country.
'Parliamentary authority''Parliamentary authority'
Meanwhile, Defence Secretary Michael Fallon told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that the government's recent announcement that intelligence spending is to be included in the defence budget was not a tactic to ensure the UK met Nato's target that every country should ringfence 2% of its GDP for defence.Meanwhile, Defence Secretary Michael Fallon told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that the government's recent announcement that intelligence spending is to be included in the defence budget was not a tactic to ensure the UK met Nato's target that every country should ringfence 2% of its GDP for defence.
His comments come after Labour's shadow defence minister, Kevan Jones, suggested the government had "crossed the line" by allowing intelligence spending to contribute towards the 2% target.His comments come after Labour's shadow defence minister, Kevan Jones, suggested the government had "crossed the line" by allowing intelligence spending to contribute towards the 2% target.
Mr Fallon said: "The Nato table of how much each country spends is drawn up by Nato guidelines, so it is up to Nato to rule what is included and what is not included." But Mr Fallon said: "That is not going to affect the 2%. We meet the 2% anyway and we meet it easily."
"There is a new fund being set up on intelligence and defence which we will bid into. Where there is defence work associated with that, where we spend money, then that will fall to our budget." On the possibility of extending bombing into Syria, he said it was a decision which needed "parliamentary authority".
But he said: "That is not going to affect the 2%. We meet the 2% anyway and we meet it easily."
On the possibility of extending bombing into Syria, Mr Fallon said it was a decision which needed "parliamentary authority".
He said: "It's for the new Parliament to chew this over and decide whether its logical for the Americans and our Gulf allies in the coalition to be attacking them (IS) in Syria while we're doing a lot of the attacking in Iraq.
"That's a decision for the new Parliament in due course. We're not planning an early vote on it."
Mr Cameron has invited acting Labour leader Harriet Harman to a high-level security meeting on Tuesday about the threat posed by IS.Mr Cameron has invited acting Labour leader Harriet Harman to a high-level security meeting on Tuesday about the threat posed by IS.
The government is seeking support from Labour MPs to extend the RAF's air campaign to strikes against IS targets in Syria, as well as Iraq.The government is seeking support from Labour MPs to extend the RAF's air campaign to strikes against IS targets in Syria, as well as Iraq.