What sort of defense capability is now needed and how much can be afforded?
The British government has postponed a necessary strategic defense review until after this year's general election. A discussion paper has set out some of the options and has highlighted the differing demands of the three services. All three services want to maintain their ability to fight a modern war with the latest sophisticated equipment, but the costs of modern high-tech ships, aircraft, guns, tanks and communication equipment are increasing all the time. And with new technology being developed, much equipment becomes quickly out of date.
The recession is not over and government indebtedness is a serious issue for the markets. Yet, as the pressure for cuts in expenditures grows, neither the government nor the opposition is proposing that defense expenditures should be exempt.