The UK's Commons Defence Committee has delivered a scathing attack on Whitehall's National Security Capability Review (NSCR), slamming plans to scrap Great Britain's amphibious capability and reduce the size of the Royal Marines. MP's called the cost-cutting plans "militarily illiterate."
“The world is changing and the Royal Navy and Royal Marines need to change with it.
“However, if the price of such change is the sacrifice of this country’s amphibious capability, we can only conclude this to be a short-sighted, militarily illiterate manoeuvre totally at odds with strategic reality,” stated the Defence Committee's report.
If Whitehall's cuts go ahead, HMS Bulwark and Albion will be retired along with 2000 Marines, effectively ending the UK's ability to conduct amphibious operations.
The NSCR proposals are part of an ongoing series series of cuts which have seriously weakened the UK's armed forces. According to General Sir Richard Barrons, former head of Joint Forces Command, the UK is unable to defend itself against a rival professional land-force, let alone attack by air or sea.
From the comparative safety of the Compound, it appears that the UK is gambling on the probability of never having to fight another conventional war again.
I'd think twice before wagering my fighting monkey on those odds. Thanks, LL, for the tip.
Per Mare Per Terram,
LSP
