Strategic Defence Review

Strategic Defence Review : A New Chapter

The Government has announced a strategic defence review, the first since 1998, to take place after the next election. This green paper aims to contribute to discussion of the key issues and to build a broad consensus on the direction to take. It sets out the assessment of the UK's interests, the changing international context in which they will be promoted, the use of force in this changing context, and key areas where there is a need to adjust policy and process. The core argument is that the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces must accelerate the process of reform. Processes, people and equipment must become more adaptable to confront the potential threats successfully. And the UK must improve its ability to operate in partnership across government and internationally. Chapters 1 and 2 set the context for the future defence review in terms of uncertainly, affordability, complexity and the use of force. Further chapters cover: adaptability and influence; partnership; and people, equipment and structures. Chapter 6 sets out the key questions for the future review. Two annexes cover an illustrative list of operations since the 1998 strategic defence review and defence planning assumptions. Published alongside this paper is "The Defence strategy for acquisition reform" (Cm. 7996, ISBN 9780101779623) which sets out a new approach in creating greater agility in the defence equipment programme.

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The document 'The Strategic Defence Review: a new chapter' (Cm. 5566, Vol. 1; ISBN 0101556624) was published by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) in July 2002, in the light of the September 11 terrorist attacks in the US. It examined the strength of the UK's defence and security policy and proposed a number of changes to the priorities and plans as set out in the 1998 Strategic Defence Review (SDR), in order to respond effectively against these new developments in international terrorism. The Committee's report examines how far the 'New Chapter' has met its objectives and whether it was an appropriate response to security interests and defence needs. The report focuses on issues of doctrine, concepts and general policy. The Committee's findings include: support for the creation of volunteer reserve Civil Contingency Reaction forces, but notes concerns over the effects on the normal activities of volunteer Reserves; lack of a proper debate on how to strike the right balance in combating terrorism between the use of military operations overseas and home defence; and concern that the MoD's proposed changes will further strain the UK's already stretched armed forces. It concludes that the MoD's decision to limit the scope of the 'New Chapter' to the specific threat from international terrorism has failed to take account of wider policy issues; and as a result, has highlighted many areas where recent developments are making the original SDR look increasingly out of date.