A series of guest posts from AndyC The UK’s armed forces have shrunk considerably since the end of the Cold War and this sometimes leads to criticism. However, the nature and strength of the threat to the UK has also…
A series of guest posts from AndyC The decision about the size and capability of the carrier strike force is the most significant decision facing the conventional armed forces of the UK in the SDSR of 2015. In most situations…
A series of guest posts from AndyC Coping with reduced overall numbers while integrating a substantially expanded reserve force and maintaining capability was always going to be challenging. However, in spite of some criticism the design of the Army 2020…
A series of guest posts from AndyC The forces and capabilities required for global intervention are very similar to those required for mobile operations within the NATO area. Where there is a difference is the greater use of transport aircraft…
A series of guest posts from AndyC A far more potentially challenging threat could come from a resurgent Russia. How prepared and effective are British and European NATO forces to counter such a possibility? In the north, Norway shares a…
A series of guest posts from AndyC In the Mediterranean the UK maintains a permanent presence on Cyprus and Gibraltar and there are two Infantry Battalions based on the former. RAF Akrotiri would provide an operating base for up to…
A series of guest posts from AndyC NATO is clearly the UK’s most important international defence obligation. Our forces need to be able to operate in defence of any member nation whose security is under threat. This requires a high…
A series of guest posts from AndyC The only UK sovereign territory that appears to be under any potential threat remains the Falkland Islands. Argentina regularly re-states its claims on the Islands. However, its air force and navy are much…
A series of guest posts from AndyC The task of defending the UK itself falls largely to the RAF and Royal Navy. They need to have sufficient forces to defend our airspace and territorial waters. That means keeping hostile aircraft,…
A series of guest posts from AndyC With less than a year to go to the next General Election and thereafter the Strategic Defence and Security Review 2015 it’s time to start considering the background, priorities and options for the…
