Sense and security

WEEKS of internal Government wrangling over the scale of cuts forced on the Ministry of Defence have been a telltale sign of the scale of both the austerity measures planned and the severity of the threat facing Britain. Out of these long negotiations have come the National Security Strategy. Now it has to live up to its name.

The coalition is right to say that cyber attacks have joined terrorism as the pre-eminent threat to the UK borders. The dangers faced by this country include extremists schooled in the madrassas of Pakistan and the manoeuvres of shadowy Russian agencies wanting to harm British interests through the internet, and we must be equipped to tackle all of these and so much more.

The Armed Forces will play a major part in this, but their role has also changed dramatically. When it was last subject to review, British soldiers were stationed in German and readying themselves to repel Russian forces. Today our servicemen and women remain the best in the world but they have to tackle challenges ranging from traditional battlefield enemies, as well as suicide bombers and rogue policeman to providing food, medical aid and help to bombed-out families.

When the figures are finally announced, some reduction in the number of soldiers, sailors and airmen appears inevitable, but Government must not downgrade this country's warships, fighter jets and tanks too quickly because it is impossible to predict when troops will next be thrown into major ground warfare. In a world of ever-changing threats, Britain must always remain ready and vigilant.