SDSR 2015

SDSR 2010 has been a disaster for our Armed Forces.  Maritime and air capability have been slashed without sufficient thought as to the long term military impact.  Now the Army manpower cuts are beginning to bite, we see no signs of a surge in recruitment to the Reserves to make up the numbers.  Those of us around at the time thought that the Defence Review of 1997 was the end of the line but, on reflection, it was sensible, at least in principle, compared to SDSR 2010.  Looking further back, in 1976 I recall that we were at a pretty low ebb - a Fighter Bomber pilot on Germany, sitting on top of a nuclear bomb, was being paid less than a guard on the London Underground.  At that time, there was open talk of our Service Chiefs buckling on their swords and marching across Whitehall to protest.

As we approach SDSR 2015, potentially as dangerous a piece of work as has ever come out of Government, and I include Sandys and Healey, there is talk of the Chiefs, once again considering resignation in disgust.  Here, I am reminded of a remark by a much respected Station Commander when I was serving at a West Norfolk airbase.  He opined that resignation was a futile gesture since all it would achieve would be to "let in the second team" to negotiate with Civil Servants.  Perhaps the Chiefs should reflect upon that today - we need firm leadership to negotiate the best possible outcome not eye-catching, gestures.  Meaningless platitudes like "magnificent professionalism" and "punching above our weight" will not be enough to provide security for our country in, arguably, much more dangerous times than the Cold War!