Boris Johnson was accused today of violating another promise when ministers revealed plans for a hi-tech British Army. They also declared that there will be an army based in Germany.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace insisted that the huge overhaul is needed to ensure that the military is ‘deployable and lethal’.
But Labour claimed ‘size matters’ and the government had reneged on the PM’s election vow by cutting regular Army numbers from 82,000 to 73,000 by 2025 – albeit that is 500 higher than originally expected.
This shakeup will result in the formation of a new Union Division. Mr Wallace said that he desired the army to be at ‘heart” of the UK as a apparent rebuke for Nicola Sturgeon’s separatist drive.
The regular force will combine with the reserve of 30,000 to provide civil contingencies.
Germany will host a brigade consisting of armoured vehicles and tanks, even though the Cold War presence has been reduced recently.
Mr Wallace said the Government has provided the resources for a ‘generational modernisation’ of defence, with £41.3billion being injected into army equipment and support over the decade – £8.6billion more than had been planned prior to the Integrated Review.
His statement was: “The Army will be reorganized to operate continuously on a basis. It will field all necessary capabilities and remain persistently engaged around globe, supporting our partners as well as deterring our enemies.
Ben Wallace, Defence Secretary insists that the massive overhaul was necessary to make sure that the military can be ‘deployable’ and ‘lethal.
Labour claimed ‘size matters’ and the government had reneged on the PM’s election vow by cutting regular Army numbers from 82,000 to 73,000 by 2025 – albeit that is 500 higher than originally expected
It will, however, be a true warfighting army. As an expeditionary combat force and able to be deployed and killed when needed.
Mr Wallace said the Army will be ‘leaner but more productive’, also telling MPs: ‘Prioritising speed and readiness over mass and mobilisation but still be over 100,000-strong – integrating regulars and reserves as well as all the civil servants and partners from the private sector.’
Defence Secretary stated that the army of tomorrow will be composed of six “distinct” elements. These include more personnel being available for longer periods of time through a “new network of regional centers” in Oman, Kenya and other places.
The MPs were told that the unit will be able field a division during the entire decade, as it has made key contributions to Nato warfighting.
Also, Mr Wallace listed upgrading equipment and the establishment of a new Experimentation and Trials Group in 2022. These groups will ‘keep at the cutting edge of technology’. He also mentioned being close to the heart of union’.
He stated that there would be an increased number of Army units based in devolved states and more expenditure to support prosperity across the United Kingdom as a result of our land industrial strategy.
Wallace stated that the Army “cannot afford” to feel sentimental. He confirmed that the following administrative divisions will now be available to infantry: The Queen’s Division, the Union Division, the Light Division and the Guards and Parachute Division.
Scotland is expected to be home to more units and a greater proportion of the Army’s workforce than today, while Wales will ‘see the return of the Welsh cavalry, The Queen’s Dragoon Guards’ and a new reserve company – of third battalion the Royal Welsh established in North Wales.
According to Mr Wallace, Northern Ireland will retain the same army units as the rest of Ireland but have a larger proportion of its workforce. It also gains an additional Royal Irish reserve company.
Stewart McDonald (SNP defence spokesperson) took to Twitter in condemnation of the Union Division proposal. “Attempts like this to politicise serving personnel, who choose to go into a career in uniform with a desire to protect, is a sign of how desperate the conservative government has become,’ he said.
“Soldiers need a real improvement in terms & conditions, not used for political aims.”
One new Ranger Regiment will join the Army Special Operations Brigade. It was established on December 1st and is set to go along with allies against extremist groups or hostile threats.
Labour said that reforms would leave the fighting force too small, too stretched thinly, and too badly equipped.
John Healey (shadow defence secretary) questioned why the MoD’s civilian staff had increased by 2,200 in 2015 while full-time troops had seen their numbers drop by 5,000.
Mr Wallace said the Government has provided the resources for a ‘generational modernisation’ of defence, with £41.3billion being injected into army equipment
He described the plan as being ‘dictated not by threats but costs’ and added that ‘I fear this plan leaves Britain’s Army too small and too stretched to meet the growing threats the UK and its allies face.
Healey stated that Johnson has committed to maintaining the size of our Armed Forces in 2019.
He stated that the prime minister might take his promises to the public and our armed forces lightly but that we don’t. The UK will soon have its smallest army for 300 years by the time the next elections are held. The size of your army is crucial.
Tobias Ellwood from the Conservative Party was the Defence Committee’s chairman. He stated that while we fine tune our fighting ability, now is not the right time to decrease the defense budget, reduce our tank, our armored fighting vehicles or our troop numbers.
When asked if the diminution in size of the British Army would discourage potential recruits from choosing the career, Wallace replied: “It will be flexible. I believe it will keep people employed because they will have an interesting career. It will also ensure that their families are well looked after.