The UK Government has launched a Strategic Defence Review (SDR), expected to run for about six months, to re-examine the role, structure and equipment programme of the country's armed forces.
The Government says that, with the exception of the Trident ballistic-missile submarine force, all programmes will be examined. Senior ministers, however, stress their support for the Eurofighter EF2000 project.
Secretary of State for Defence George Robertson, formally announcing the move on 28 May, said that the review would not result in a "moratorium" on continuing projects. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) says: "Contracts already placed will not be put on hold."
The RAF has awarded several major contracts recently, the most high-profile being for the British Aerospace Nimrod 2000 maritime-surveillance aircraft and the Matra BAe Dynamics Storm Shadow stand-off missile. While these are probably safe, programmes such as the GEC-Marconi Brimstone anti-armour weapon could come under greater scrutiny.
While work on these continue, the MoD stops short of saying that these requirements will not fall within the remit of the SDR.
The Government is unwilling to pre-judge the outcome of the SDR by identifying areas where force structure or equipment programmes would be changed. Robertson admits, however, that no increase in funding is likely as a result of the review. The armed forces remain concerned that the SDR will result only in equipment and personnel cuts.
The Royal Navy's future carrier project is certain to be scrutinised, while the role of the British Army on the Rhine, and the level of its heavy armour, will also come under consideration.
Source: Flight International
