pertinent issues

royal united services Institute report

RUSI has done us done us a favour in exposing the alarming fact that the UK's (and therefore Nato's) military assets and capabilities have been damaged by under-resourcing. They conclude that British ground forces would be "comprehensively outgunned" in a conflict with Russia in Eastern Europe.
27th November 2019

HMS Queen Elizabeth Carrier Strike Group 

In 2021, HMS Queen Elizabeth will deploy with two Type 45 destroyers, two Type 23 frigates, a nuclear submarine, a Tide-class tanker and RFA Fort Victoria.  This employs four out of the 17 escorts available, so highlights once more the lack of sufficient ships for the Royal Navy to fulfil its obligations. The projected new ships are, of course, welcome but they are being built too slowly and in insufficient numbers.

general election (2)

Defence UK is not a party political organisation so will not recommend where your cross should be placed. As suggested below there is not likely to be anything major in any of the manifestos, but it will be worth checking just in case. Defence subjects do occasionally come up in interviews and to date they have included the future of NATO and the Trident Deterrent. So information, particularly on general attitudes, is there to be found.

general Election:

Defence is not likely to be a major issue with the individual parties. It is unlikely that they will commit to more than spending 2% of GDP. They must not be allowed to forget the first duty of government, so it is to be hoped that members of the public will raise the issue with the candidates in their constituency.

Press statement - alarm over defence cuts

​Defence UK has expressed grave concern about Armed Forces numbers following press reports of planned cuts and speculation in the media that the British Army, already its smallest in 200 years, could be squeezed even further to just 60,000 personnel. 

Defence UK Director Andy Smith said: "If these leaks from the MOD are accurate, it is alarming that anyone in government is even remotely contemplating further reductions in the size of the Army. In an increasingly dangerous world situation, in which our security is directly threatened by a variety of rogue states, terrorist networks, and piracy on the high seas, it is vital that we boost all three of our Armed Services. 

Cutting back on either the Royal Navy, the British Army or the Royal Air Force at this time would be the height of folly. Numbers are important and at present our Forces are all chronically undermanned and under-resourced. The absolute focus of the MOD at this time should be on recruiting, training and retaining people in our Armed Forces, not on finding areas of the defence budget to trim."

pro patria - Journal of defence uk - 2019 volume 1

At the official launch of Defence UK on 16th October 2019 the first edition of Pro Patria, the Journal of Defence UK was published. It can be read online by selecting the heading above. Hard copies are available from Defence UK, PO Box 819, Portsmouth PO1 9FF.
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MISSION STATEMENT:

“Defence UK is an independent pressure group that campaigns for a strong and well-resourced Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force, to ensure the security of the United Kingdom, her Sovereign Territories, trade and commerce, and to protect her citizens wherever they may be. We also call for a greater commitment by the UK Government to the nation's defence industries, and to non-military services such as the Merchant Navy, Coastguard, Border Control and Homeland Security that are essential to the Defence of the Realm.”
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