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Not using army to combat terrorism would be a mistake, warns general Not using army to combat terrorism would be a mistake, warns general
(about 5 hours later)
Britain needs the serious war-fighting capabilities of the armed forces to combat terrorist groups and it is a mistake to believe it can rely on the security and intelligence agencies alone, the country’s most senior military officer has said.Britain needs the serious war-fighting capabilities of the armed forces to combat terrorist groups and it is a mistake to believe it can rely on the security and intelligence agencies alone, the country’s most senior military officer has said.
In a clear reference to military operations in Afghanistan, General Sir Nick Houghton said the 25 years since the end of the cold war had “not been easy for defence or for society’s understanding of its importance”. In a clear reference to military operations in Afghanistan, Gen Sir Nick Houghton said the 25 years since the end of the cold war had “not been easy for defence or for society’s understanding of its importance”.
He continued: “Military intervention to stabilise ungoverned space has had mixed consequences. The view that there is no direct military threat to the UK in a classic symmetrical sense has taken firm hold. As has the view that defence is inherently expensive and inefficient.”He continued: “Military intervention to stabilise ungoverned space has had mixed consequences. The view that there is no direct military threat to the UK in a classic symmetrical sense has taken firm hold. As has the view that defence is inherently expensive and inefficient.”
That had reinforced a view, Houghton said on Wednesday, that many of the capabilities provided by the armed forces were no longer relevant, and that the government “would get a better return on its investment in relation to national security by switching expenditure from defence to the security agencies, the Border Force and the police: all of which appear to have leaner cost bases and are more readily usable.”That had reinforced a view, Houghton said on Wednesday, that many of the capabilities provided by the armed forces were no longer relevant, and that the government “would get a better return on its investment in relation to national security by switching expenditure from defence to the security agencies, the Border Force and the police: all of which appear to have leaner cost bases and are more readily usable.”
Related: Michael Fallon goes on the defensive with Nato assuranceRelated: Michael Fallon goes on the defensive with Nato assurance
The UK, with many of its Nato allies, had been “investing less in our capacity to conduct serious war fighting”. The view that led to that course of action was “a mistaken one”, the chief of defence staff told a conference on air power organised by the Royal United Services Institute thinktank.The UK, with many of its Nato allies, had been “investing less in our capacity to conduct serious war fighting”. The view that led to that course of action was “a mistaken one”, the chief of defence staff told a conference on air power organised by the Royal United Services Institute thinktank.
Countering a growing view that less money should be spent on the armed forces and more on the security and intelligence-gathering agencies, Houghton said: “No one would seriously suggest that we could attempt to meet the challenges of this world by solely non-military means: diplomacy, the soft power of development, education and media, and the economic tool of sanctions.”Countering a growing view that less money should be spent on the armed forces and more on the security and intelligence-gathering agencies, Houghton said: “No one would seriously suggest that we could attempt to meet the challenges of this world by solely non-military means: diplomacy, the soft power of development, education and media, and the economic tool of sanctions.”
He stressed: “The economic interdependence of modern states of itself places some limits on the utility of sanctions.”He stressed: “The economic interdependence of modern states of itself places some limits on the utility of sanctions.”
Defence chiefs have welcomed the government budget pledge that the defence budget will rise by 0.5% a year in real terms throughout this parliament. However, the armed forces will have to fight hard to benefit from a new £1.5bn fund for both the military and the security and intelligence agencies.Defence chiefs have welcomed the government budget pledge that the defence budget will rise by 0.5% a year in real terms throughout this parliament. However, the armed forces will have to fight hard to benefit from a new £1.5bn fund for both the military and the security and intelligence agencies.