September 15th 2024.
The United Kingdom has been providing military aid to Ukraine to support their ongoing conflict with Russia. This aid includes Challenger 2 tanks, ammunition, and various vehicles that have made a significant impact in Ukraine's battle against Soviet-made tanks. However, this assistance has also left a gap in the UK's own military capabilities, as they have had to transfer most of their AS90 mobile artillery units to Ukraine.
According to armed forces minister Luke Pollard, this transfer has created a gap in how the UK operates, highlighting the need to replenish their stocks. He explained, "That was the right decision, absolutely the right thing to do. But there is a challenge now about what do we do in the interim period." This sentiment was echoed by Defence Secretary John Healy, who met with his Ukrainian counterpart just 72 hours after Labour's electoral victory.
While the majority of the military aid to Ukraine was approved by the previous Conservative government and backed by Labour while in opposition, the new government is also committed to continuing this support. However, there is some discussion about potentially allowing Ukraine to use the weapons supplied by the UK to target Russian forces within Russia itself.
But as the war in Ukraine continues and the UK's military stockpiles are depleted, the government is also reevaluating their own preparedness. A strategic defence review is expected in the first half of next year to assess whether their stockpiles are being replenished and if their armed forces' capabilities are at a sufficient level.
Pollard explained, "I think the British public are by and large aware that the world is a more difficult, contested place at the moment. What the defence review will show is how we respond to that as a country and the choices we need to make." He also added that the review will consider the changing nature of warfare and determine the capabilities needed to deter and defeat an aggressor.
One potential outcome of the review is the need to invest in further capabilities to protect crucial sub-sea cables used for electronic data. This could include acquiring additional specialist vessels like the RFA Proteus, a high-tech survey and surveillance vessel. Pollard stressed the importance of protecting electronic infrastructure, saying, "Everything is dependent on the data flows. And if we can't assure ourselves those data flows are protected, then we would be neglecting a critical part of our national infrastructure." He expects the review to identify both risks and opportunities for further investment in capabilities.
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