04/01/2013
Defence Spending - Armed forces priority

Letter to the Editor The Telegraph.

Armed Forces priority

SIR – The Government repeatedly maintains that national security is its first duty, that Britain continues to have global responsibilities and ambitions, and “will remain a first-rate military power” (according to current Cabinet Office briefing notes).

You suggest, however, that our overseas commitments will have to be adjusted to take into account severe Armed Forces budget cuts (leading article, January 1).

Defence spending has been reduced for 15 years and is now only 2 per cent of GDP. We remain, however, the world’s sixth richest nation, and our global influence is underpinned by our long-standing reputation for military proficiency.

In a world of growing threats, the responsible strategy should be to rebuild our military strength. This represents the only insurance policy for preserving all that is of value in national life. The Government’s stated policies are the right ones. We urge a reconsideration of the defence provision to match those policies.

Air Chief Marshal Sir Michael Graydon
General Sir Michael Rose 
Vice Admiral Sir Jeremy Blackham 
Air Commodore Andrew Lambert 
Andrew Roberts 
Allen Sykes 
Portsmouth, Hampshire
 

 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/letters/9778999/Diplomatic-tensions-over-the-Falklands-continue.html