No defence on cuts

AFTER Labour committed UK taxpayers to an overhaul of the country’s defence capabilities, the coalition has put the brakes on. Major projects are being scrapped – at great expense – because they are no longer affordable, and as a consequence of the withdrawal of troops from Iraq and, in time, Afghanistan.

Yet, as the cost of writing off various procurement projects tops £5bn, MPs now question whether the Government is on top of this issue – and whether the Ministry of Defence is equipped to respond to unforeseen events.

Though a chronic lack of realism was to blame for MoD budgets extending off the radar screen, the coalition still needs to find a way to remedy this – while ensuring national security comes first at all times.

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Ministers have still to provide this reassurance that short-term financial considerations will not come before long-term defence needs. It can only be hoped that they do not regret this stance in time.