No sure if posted elsewhere but a damning indictment of HMGs procurement and management of the Type 45 destroyer (precise: it's not all BAe's fault, surprisingly)
https://www.usnwc.edu/getattachment/...roject-Ma.aspx
No sure if posted elsewhere but a damning indictment of HMGs procurement and management of the Type 45 destroyer (precise: it's not all BAe's fault, surprisingly)
https://www.usnwc.edu/getattachment/...roject-Ma.aspx
Recently SW Journal had this article:http://smallwarsjournal.com/jrnl/art...s-transparency and the author referred to a forthcoming report on the theme. I spotted it this week via the Oxford Research Group's e-briefing, as the project comes from their sub-group the Remote Control Project.
A grand title 'All Quiet On The ISIS Front : British Secret Warfare In The Information Age' as yet unread (63 pgs). The summary says:Link:http://remotecontrolproject.org/repo...formation-age/Remote Control’s latest report tracks the UK’s secretive but growing military commitments abroad by analysing the rise in the use of drones for targeted killing, the use of Special Forces, and the provision of capabilities such as intelligence and embedded troops to allied forces. The deniability of these operations may bring flexibility, which can create opportunities when it comes to dealing with fluid and complex security threats. But we question the notion that greater secrecy is always better strategy, particularly in an age when leaks of information are seemingly inevitable, demand for political accountability is high, and trust in politicians and the wider expert community is low.
Last edited by davidbfpo; 04-06-2017 at 12:38 PM. Reason: 202,807v 45k up since No '16 phew.
davidbfpo
Professor Paul Rogers comments on the issue "mainstream" UK politicians are avoiding over CT at home and countering Daesh abroad:Link:https://www.opendemocracy.net/paul-r...p-isis-drones?So if we kill thousands of them, they would like to kill at least hundreds of us. That may be a very crude representation of what is happening. But it is still worth asking why there is so little discussion about the connection, virtually no parliamentary scrutiny, hardly any media coverage, and notably little dissension.
(He concludes) Now, a much expanded "war on terror" will be fought far more remotely than before. At the very least, Britain should go into it with its eyes open. All Quiet on the ISIS Front could do much to ensure the debate that is so much needed.
Last edited by davidbfpo; 04-08-2017 at 01:01 PM. Reason: 202,357v
davidbfpo
General Sir Richard Dannatt was the UK's top soldier (CGS) from 2006 to 2009 and in 2016 published a book 'Boots on the ground - Britain and her Army since 1945'.
Thanks to a "lurker" for the pointer to this review by an ex-UK Army regimental commander, David Benest; which is scorching in places about the book on The Falklands, Northern Ireland and Dhofar.
Link:http://www.ccw.ox.ac.uk/blog/2016/10...ichard-dannatt
davidbfpo
The UK defence budget is once again in a quandary and another Strategic Defence & Security Review (SDSR) is underway. WoTR has a commentary by a ret'd Australian naval officer:https://warontherocks.com/2017/10/th...has-a-problem/
One option is to reduce the Royal Marines by 1k (or 1 in 6) and scrap the two assault ships (one of which left harbour recently after six years of resting) . The RN plan to scrap an helicopter carrier, HMS Ocean; whose last mission was post-hurricane help in the Caribbean.
Both the RN and Army have problems recruiting (including the reserves).
It is a common criticism that the UK forces are being hollowed out. As many readers here are American the UK is desperate to reassure the USA it remains a capable friend - or as some wags say "Belgium with nukes".
Last edited by davidbfpo; 10-17-2017 at 03:46 PM. Reason: 237,992v
davidbfpo
A short, powerful and well-written article by Professor Lawrence Freedman, ex-Kings Wars Studies, in the FT and on open access (hopefully).
Link:https://www.ft.com/content/805c7d1e-...4-0944c5f49e46
Last edited by davidbfpo; 12-17-2017 at 02:26 PM. Reason: 246,942v
davidbfpo
Thanks to a "lurker" for the pointer to this different article by a Russia SME watcher. It is a short read and ends with:Link:https://www.theguardian.com/commenti...-review-russiaThe defence review must consider British interests in the round, of course. But if deterring the Russians is a major concern, then it is worth paying attention to what might really deter them: a flexible, fast-moving and versatile force of true professionals. Not necessarily with the heaviest kit, the biggest ships or the priciest aircraft, but able to get where they are needed, when they are needed.
Last edited by davidbfpo; 01-19-2018 at 01:28 PM. Reason: 249,800v
davidbfpo
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