The Defence Command Paper refresh agrees to some of the key proposals from the Haythornthwaite Review of Armed Forces Incentivisation, which is a positive step. This is essential to improving the lived experience of our service personnel and making our Armed Forces more attractive in a modern workforce marketplace.
News that an additional £2.5 billion will be invested into our stockpiles and munitions, as well as the establishment of a Global Response Force to enable the UK to ‘get there first,’ should also be welcomed.
As a member of the Defence Select Committee, I found it encouraging that the Ministry of Defence (MOD) has committed itself to becoming a science and technology superpower, enhancing our capabilities in fields like robotics, human augmentation, directed energy weapons and advanced materials –giving us the edge on the battlefield of the future.
The Paper has come at a crucial time. It is vital now that lessons are learned, and we continue to prioritise our status as a key player in NATO.
To read the Defence Secretary's statement, click here: Defence Secretary Oral Statement - Defence Command Paper 2023 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)