Strategic Defense and Security Review Highlights

I think Bill Sweetman and Robert Wall know more than they are letting on regarding the Strategic Defense and Security Review details, but if they don't - I can fill in the blanks on what the SDSR decisions are on a few issues.

Key naval announcements are:

• 1st Queen Elizabeth Class to be LPH, 2nd to have CV variant.
• Immediate decommissioning of HMS ARK ROYAL.
• Joint Force Harrier to go by 2011.
• Loss of 4 frigates (Type 22) by 2011.
• Decommission of either HMS OCEAN or HMS ILLUSTRIOUS following a short review to determine which platform is better suited to LPH operations.
• Decommission an LSD(A).
• Rotate ALBION and BULWARK at extended readiness.
• Sea King to go by 2016.
• Nimrod MRA4 not to enter service.

2 high-level objectives:

• To ensure a secure and resilient UK by protecting our people, economy, infrastructure, territory and ways of life from all major risks that can effect us directly; and
• To shape a stable world, by acting to reduce the likelihood of risks affecting the UK or British interests overseas, and applying our instruments of power and influence to shape the global environment.

The following Tier 1 risks are judged to be our highest priorities for UK national security:

• Terrorism
• Cyber attack
• Major natural hazards and accidents
• International Military Crisis
• Afghanistan will remain our top priority while British troops are deployed there.

Size and Shape - Future Force 2020 to comprise CASD ; 7 SSN ; 2 CVF, with one at extended readiness ; 2 of LPD, one at (alternated) extended readiness; 19 FF/DD ; 14 MCMVs.

Warfare:

• Wildcat to mirror 19 FF/DD numbers.
• Merlin Mk 2 CSP to remain - numbers to mirror FF/DD capability.

Air:

• Joint Strike Fighter Carrier Variant to be bought, Joint Force Harrier to be gone by Apr 11 and Carrier Strike capability gapped until 2020.
• QE class with “cats and traps” lends to UCAVs / COD/ AEW capabilities, as well as French and American interoperability.
• Numbers of JSF buy uncertain.
• CH47F buy now 12 rather 22.
• Wildcat ALM - safe but numbers unclear.

Log/RFA & N1:

• Overall 5,000 RN redundancies (600 RM), possibly compulsory.
• Loss of 1 AO and 1 AOR, but the commitment to a new tanker remains.
• Defense Training Review not to happen (no move of SULTAN to St Athan), but the Naval Estate to be reviewed.
• RN to work closer with the French logistically and operationally.

Technology & Equipment Programs:

• Investment will focus on developing capabilities and countering threats in key areas: autonomous systems, sensors, cyber, space and new materials including nano technology.
• Maintain close cooperation with US and others on Ballistic Missile defenses.
• Defense industrial and technology Green paper by the end of the year.

It is my observation that the Royal Navy is in transition from a military force to more of a constabulary force, with an aircraft carrier they know they need instead of the frigates strategy demands they need instead. I honestly don't think it will matter, primarily because I think the assumptions made will be proven wrong long before we reach 2020 - meaning this plan won't last the test of time.