Challenges ahead for the new Defence Secretary

New Defence Secretary Philip Hammond faces many challenges. Recently a chain of stories have given a stark reminder of the precarious state of Britain’s defences.

First there was the news that, just as the First Sea Lord had warned, due to the Libya operation there was not a single Royal Navy ship left to defend British home waters. Then the news that one of the ships that was sent to Libya was sent with only four missiles. Then the news that the Navy would not have enough submarines to protect the UK either. And the unsurprising news from the National Audit Office that defence cuts and delays had actually led to increased project costs. Not to mention the warning from the Public Accounts Select Committee that we may not have a fully operational aircraft carrier until 2030. And then we have US defence cuts to worry about, as the new carriers are dependent on the US-led Joint Strike Fighter programme.

On the plus side, the Sentinel R1 spy plance, which was due for the axe but used in Libya, may be given a reprieve. Unfortunately this did not happen in the case of the Nimrod R1 reconnaisance plane, which was kept on for just a little longer to be used in Libya and then scrapped anyway. And it is now too late for the Harrier jets, which have been sold to the USA.

With the financial outlook decidedly gloomy, any temptation for any further defence cuts must be resisted at all costs. But this may already be a forlorn hope. Following the Autumn Statement, the Armed Forces will be hit by the 1% cap (down from 2%) on public sector pay rises, following the pay freeze. The Chancellor announced that departmental budgets would be revised down accordingly - so the saving will go straight back to the Treasury, and UK defence spending will fall even further. And unlike the previous pay freeze, no ameliorating measures have been announced. Yet another blow for morale, and for UK defence.