Britain’s new Labour government has rolled out its Strategic Defence Review, led by Defence Secretary John Healey and headed by ex-NATO chief Lord George Robertson. With deputies like Fiona Hill and Richard Barrons, the team has solid credentials.
But the real kicker? The review could take “up to a year” to complete. Critics say this is just Starmer’s way of stalling on whether they can hit their 2.5% GDP defence spending target. Top military brass believe it should take only six weeks.
Two urgent issues shouldn’t wait for this lengthy review. First, fix the armed forces’ recruiting and retention mess. It’s about improving service conditions and post-career care, not just pay. If we can’t staff our ships, planes, and battalions, all the fancy gear in the world won’t help.
Second, overhaul the Ministry of Defence’s scandalously bad equipment procurement. The Ajax armoured vehicle fiasco is a prime example: over a decade late, £5.6 billion down the drain, and still no vehicles delivered. No one has been held accountable.
These fixes need immediate action. Starmer needs to get his Chancellor and the Treasury in line and make the MoD get on with it. It’s not rocket science!
Lt Col Stuart Crawford is a defence analyst and former army officer. Sign up for his podcasts and newsletters at www.DefenceReview.uk
Lt Col Stuart Crawford’s latest book Tank Commander (Hardback) is available now
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