22 Jul 19. Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy. Revisiting the UK’s national security strategy: The National Security Capability Review and the Modernising Defence Programme. JCNSS message to new PM: time to face difficult choices on national security. The cornerstones of the UK’s national security are being undermined as the Government fails to keep pace with challenges to the UK’s position as a global security actor amid fast-changing security threats, warns the Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy.
The growing strains on the UK’s relationship with the US; the continuing uncertainty about the UK’s future relationship with the EU on security, defence and foreign policy; the rise of China and the relative shift of power away from the West will require a more nuanced but sure-footed approach.
In Revisiting the UK’s national security strategy: The National Security Capability Review and the Modernising Defence Programme (NSCR and MDP), the Joint Committee concludes that Government talks a better game than it plays on national security and says it is time for ministers to go back to first principles.
The Chair of the Joint Committee, Margaret Beckett MP said, “In our interim report on the NSCR last year, we found that the process did not do justice to the fundamental changes to the security environment in which the UK is operating, such as our relationship with the US and the EU. This follow-up inquiry has confirmed these conclusions and if anything, the UK faces even starker challenges one year on. A reality check is urgently required.”
Today’s Report on the NSCR and MDP demonstrates that the defence funding model is broken. The Modernising Defence Programme raised more questions than it answered on the future of defence, leaving the Ministry of Defence in a ‘holding pattern’ until the next Spending Review.
Policy and budgetary decisions have been left hanging for too long by the Government’s internal processes and funding models. It is unclear when the next full review of the National Security Strategy and Strategic Defence and Security Review will be held, or whether the Government intends for it to take place alongside a Spending Review. The Report concluded that it is no solution to ‘fuse’ defence and security reviews as the NSCR attempted to do, if every pound spent on one comes at the expense of the other.
Government has persistently failed to provide enough money to fund its ambitions for defence capabilities, while the Ministry of Defence has struggled to manage its budget effectively. The MOD must be supported by the Treasury in its efforts to harness new technology and innovation while maintaining sufficient numbers of soldiers, sailors, pilots and more conventional equipment.
The UK’s long-term plan for defence, set in 2015, was never affordable within the budget allocated. Members recommend an increase in the defence budget. The Report concludes that the national security landscape is changing more quickly than the current cycle of five yearly reviews can accommodate, leaving the UK’s ability to respond to fast-changing and increasingly complex threats in doubt.
The Committee Chair added: “If the Government wants to turn the ‘Global Britain’ concept into a meaningful strategy for a positive and self-assured role for the UK after its departure from the EU, then it needs to be more honest about how it proposes to address these challenges. It must also back this up with the necessary funding and resources, especially for defence and diplomacy. This is too important to be sidelined by Brexit. We call on the new Prime Minister to prioritise the UK’s national security. Now is the time to start an honest conversation about the UK’s place on the global stage, the risks we are willing to take in relation to national security and the resource which Government is willing to commit to these ends.”
22 Jul 19. Defence Committee. Select Committee Announcement. Legislate Now To Protect Troops From Endless Vexatious Investigations, Says Defence Committee. A resolute and determined Government can legislate to protect veterans and Service Personnel from vexatious claims and cycles of re-investigation. So says the Defence Committee in its report, published today, entitled Drawing a Line: Protecting Veterans by a Statute of Limitations.
The Committee members state: “We have long been greatly concerned by the increasing encroachment of litigation into the sphere of military engagements, and by the cycles of investigation and re-investigation of current and former Service personnel for alleged incidents from many years ago.”
Their report, which examines the legal framework underpinning current military engagements at home and abroad, as well as legacy investigations into Operation Banner (Northern Ireland), Operation Herrick (Afghanistan) and Operation Telic (Iraq), emphasizes that wrongdoing and criminality should be investigated and punished appropriately; but it warns that cycles of endless re-investigation risks undermining morale in the Armed Forces, the potential for future recruitment, and trust in the rule of law itself.
The Committee welcomes recent Government suggestions that it will adopt a ‘presumption against prosecution’ for alleged offences in operations overseas more than ten years ago, in the absence of compelling new evidence, and that – in future conflicts – it will derogate from parts of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). It urges the Government to bring forward these proposals in the form of a draft Bill for pre-legislative scrutiny by the Committee, but is critical of the exclusion – so far – of Operation Banner in Northern Ireland from being covered by the new approach.
The Committee’s report warns that the European Court of Human Rights has gone far beyond the original understanding of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), and that its rulings have stretched the temporal and territorial scope of the UK’s Human Rights Act (HRA) beyond Parliament’s original intentions. The report examines proposals by Professor Richard Ekins to amend the Human Rights Act to restore the former scope of the HRA and application of the ECHR. The Committee calls on the Government to examine if such amendment is necessary to protect its plans for a presumption against prosecution after ten years have elapsed and in the absence of compelling new evidence.
Defence Committee Chairman, Dr Julian Lewis MP says: “We believe in what we term a ’Qualified Statute of Limitations’—one that draws a line after a decade has elapsed unless compelling new evidence can be produced. To meet the requirements of international law that adequate investigation must have taken place, this process could include a Truth Recovery Process where evidence can be taken, without threat of prosecution, finally to uncover the facts.”
Committee Member and former soldier, Johnny Mercer MP, says: “The time for successive Secretaries of State to put this issue in the ‘too difficult’ box has officially passed with the conclusions of this report. There are options available to end what I consider one of the greatest injustices we self-inflict upon those who serve. I and others fully expect the next Prime Minister to end this ridiculous charade and legislate to prevent abuses of the legal system by those who seek to rewrite history.”
House of Commons and House of Lords Hansard Written Answers
Q
Asked by Keith Vaz
(Leicester East)
Asked on: 11 July 2019
Ministry of Defence
Unmanned Air Vehicles
276153
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Black Hornet drones the British Army (a) possesses and (b) has deployed in active service.
A
Answered by: Stuart Andrew
Answered on: 17 July 2019
The Army first purchased 160 Black Hornet 1 Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) in 2011 as part of a £20 million contract with FLIR UAS (formerly Prox Dynamics). The systems were used on operations in Afghanistan, but that capability has since been phased out. In 2019 the Army purchased 90 of the upgraded Black Hornet 3 UAS at a contract value of £1.7 million. There is no intention to deploy the capability on operations at this time.
Q
Asked by Theresa Villiers
(Chipping Barnet)
[N]
Asked on: 12 July 2019
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Russia: Ukraine
276524
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Russian counterpart on the role the Russian military in Ukraine.
A
Answered by: Sir Alan Duncan
Answered on: 17 July 2019
When I met with First Deputy Foreign Minister Vladimir Titov in February, I made clear that Russia must address the concerns of the international community, including ending their destabilising activity in Ukraine. Our position is clear that Russia needs to end its financial and military support for armed separatists and fully respect Ukraine’s independence and territorial integrity. We will continue to be one of the strongest supporters of Ukrainian defence and security.
Q
Asked by Nia Griffith
(Llanelli)
[N]
Asked on: 12 July 2019
Ministry of Defence
Royal Fleet Auxiliary: Tankers
276527
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what additional funding has been (a) required and (b) allocated to the Military Afloat Reach and Sustainability programme for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary’s (RFA) Tide-Class tankers (a) Tidesurge, (b) Tidespring, (c) Tidewave and (d) Tideforce since each of those vessels was delivered to the RFA.
A
Answered by: Stuart Andrew
Answered on: 17 July 2019
Three Tide Class Tankers are in service with the Royal Fleet Auxiliary; the fourth (TIDEFORCE) will enter service soon. No additional funding has been required or allocated.
Q
Asked by Lyn Brown
(West Ham)
Asked on: 08 July 2019
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Saudi Arabia: Military Aid
274495
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, with reference to the article published in The Guardian on 18 June 2019 entitled The Saudis couldn’t do it without us: the UK’s true role in Yemen’s deadly war and the article published in The Observer on 23 June 2019 entitled British target training of Saudi air force did not stop Yemen atrocities, if he will make an assessment of the effect on the UK’s international reputation of its role in training the Royal Saudi Air Force.
A
Answered by: Dr Andrew Murrison
Answered on: 16 July 2019
The UK and Saudi Arabia have a longstanding bilateral relationship based on a number of pillars including defence, security, trade and investment, shared concerns about regional issues and energy security. The UK supports Saudi Arabia’s efforts to protect its national security against critical threats, such as the ballistic missiles and drones fired by the Houthis into civilian areas in Saudi Arabia.
The UK works with Saudi Arabia to ensure targeting procedures are compliant with International Humanitarian Law (IHL), and we regularly raise the importance of IHL compliance with Saudi Arabia, including at senior levels. The UK is not a member of the Saudi-led Coalition and the UK’s role is limited to providing advice, information and assistance to help Saudi Arabia respond to airborne threats launched by the Houthis. The UK has no role in setting Coalition policy.
Q
Asked by Anne-Marie Trevelyan
(Berwick-upon-Tweed)
Asked on: 08 July 2019
Ministry of Defence
Guided Weapons: Procurement
274596
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how long it would take, and at what cost, for her Department to procure a Brimstone missile.
A
Answered by: Stuart Andrew
Answered on: 16 July 2019
The lead times for replenishing missiles is typically between 18 and 36 months depending on the munition type. Procurement costs are regularly reviewed and are dependent on the quantity of missiles being procured, customer priorities and market conditions at the time. I am withholding specific details of lead times which would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces and forecast cost estimates which are commercially sensitive.
The PGM 2000 missile system is not a UK defence capability.
Q
Asked by Mr Kevan Jones
(North Durham)
Asked on: 09 July 2019
Ministry of Defence
Armed Forces
275138
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many full-time personnel are currently in the three branches of the UK’s armed forces.
A
Answered by: Mark Lancaster
Answered on: 16 July 2019
The Ministry of Defence publishes quarterly Service Personnel statistics which include the requested information. The latest edition, with figures as at 1 April 2019, can be found at the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/quarterly-service-personnel-statistics-2019
Q
Asked by Andrew Rosindell
(Romford)
Asked on: 09 July 2019
Ministry of Defence
Marines: Guided Weapons
275153
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when the Royal Marines will be ready to use the Lightweight Multirole Missile against drones.
A
Answered by: Stuart Andrew
Answered on: 16 July 2019
On current plans the Royal Marines will declare initial NATO compliant operating capability for the Lightweight Multirole Missile in early 2021.
Q
Asked by Andrew Rosindell
(Romford)
Asked on: 09 July 2019
Ministry of Defence
Estonia: Military Exercises
275154
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force demonstrations her Department plans to conduct in Estonia in the next two years.
A
Answered by: Mark Lancaster
Answered on: 16 July 2019
The UK led Joint Expeditionary Force provides, through collaboration with the partnering nations, an increased profile and presence in the Baltic Sea and High North region across multiple domains. Both operationally and through collective training, the UK’s engagement in the coming years will be characterised by smaller scale, but more frequent activities in co-operation with all regional partners, of which Estonia is an important member. The opportunities and frequency of participation by Estonia is being reviewed through regular consultations at both the political and military level.
Q
Asked by Andrew Rosindell
(Romford)
Asked on: 09 July 2019
Ministry of Defence
Army Reserve: Training
275156
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what funding her Department plans to provide for Reserve Army training in each of the next five financial years.
A
Answered by: Mark Lancaster
Answered on: 16 July 2019
The Army has budgeted over £100 million for Army Reserve training for the current financial year. This covers Army Reserve Units only and does not include training for Reservists in staff roles in Brigade or Army HQ which would be picked up by the parent unit. The Reserve training budget provides for activity such as classroom-based lessons, physical training, trade training and field exercises. Future budget allocations will be made through our normal financial planning process.
Q
Asked by Nia Griffith
(Llanelli)
[N]
Asked on: 11 July 2019
Ministry of Defence
Arctic: Defence
276171
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when she plans to publish the Defence Arctic Strategy.
A
Answered by: Mark Lancaster
Answered on: 16 July 2019
The Strategy, which will be titled The UK’s Defence Contribution in the High North, will be published shortly.
Q
Asked by Nia Griffith
(Llanelli)
[N]
Asked on: 11 July 2019
Ministry of Defence
Defence: Space Technology
276172
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when she plans to publish the Defence Space Strategy.
A
Answered by: Stuart Andrew
Answered on: 16 July 2019
The Ministry of Defence is firmly committed to a number of space programmes, and we are continually assessing our space capabilities, coherence and requirements. Our strategic work on space has developed significantly and will play a key role in Spending Review decisions. We expect to publish later this year.
Q
Asked by Sir Hugo Swire
(East Devon)
[N]
Asked on: 09 July 2019
Ministry of Defence
EU Defence Policy
275127
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent assessment she has made of the merits of UK participation in EU defence structures after the UK has left the EU.
A
Answered by: Mark Lancaster
Answered on: 15 July 2019
As we leave the EU, we remain committed to playing a leading role on Euro-Atlantic security. NATO remains the cornerstone of our defence. Nonetheless, the UK and the EU will continue to face common threats, which are evolving and growing in complexity, and we share the same values. That is why we have agreed the outline terms, through the Political Declaration, of a flexible and scalable future UK-EU security partnership to cooperate as a sovereign third country with EU partners on a case-by-case basis where there is a clear shared interest.
Q
Asked by Mr Kevan Jones
(North Durham)
[N]
Asked on: 09 July 2019
Ministry of Defence
Army
275137
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, by what criteria or process her Department chose 82,000 as the optimum number of personnel for the army.
A
Answered by: Mark Lancaster
Answered on: 15 July 2019
The proposal for a regular Army of 82,000 emerged from work that followed the 2010 Strategic Defence and Security Review.
Q
Asked by Mr Kevan Jones
(North Durham)
[N]
Asked on: 09 July 2019
Ministry of Defence
Joint Strike Fighter Aircraft
275140
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many F-35 aircraft are currently available for operations.
A
Answered by: Stuart Andrew
Answered on: 15 July 2019
617 Squadron is the UK’s first operational frontline F-35 Lightning squadron with an initial complement of nine aircraft capable of undertaking operations from the land.
Q
Asked by Sir Hugo Swire
(East Devon)
[N]
Asked on: 10 July 2019
Ministry of Defence
EU Defence Policy
275696
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential effect on parliamentary accountability of the EU defence structures that the UK has joined since the EU referendum in 2016.
A
Answered by: Mark Lancaster
Answered on: 15 July 2019
The Government continues to ensure that parliamentary accountability for UK-EU defence cooperation is maintained. In addition to the public speeches made by the Prime Minister and the white paper of last July, the Government provided further clarification in September, in its response to the House of Commons DefenceCommittee report, on its proposals for a future security partnership with the EU. The Government has also participated in parliamentary debates or hearings on Permanent Structured Cooperation last April, Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) Operation Sophia last June, the European Defence Industrial Development Programme last November and on CSDP missions and operations in May this year. The Government will continue to provide regular updates to both European Scrutiny Committees in Parliament.
Q
Asked by Wera Hobhouse
(Bath)
Asked on: 11 July 2019
Department for International Trade
Arms Trade: Saudi Arabia
276264
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether representatives from Saudi Arabia (a) have been or (b) will be invited by the Government to send a delegation to the Defence and Security Equipment International exhibition taking place at the Excel Centre in London 10-13 September 2019.
A
Answered by: Graham Stuart
Answered on: 15 July 2019
Representatives of Saudi Arabia will be invited to DSEI 2019.