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Army 2020 'not far short' of current force
05 July 2012
Plans for the restructuring of the British Army will see regular troop numbers cut by 20,000 to 82,000 and reserve numbers boosted to around 30,000.
Writing in The Times, General Sir Peter Wall, the professional head of the British Army, said: "Despite a reduction of 20 per cent in our regular manpower, our future capacity will not be far short of its current level.
"We have managed this by building a high dependence on the new Army Reserve, and a support network of specialist contractors. This is a groundbreaking change. But I am confident that with imagination and the help of employers and industry - supported by changes to legislation - this will work."
The General said that the UK had not faced a large-scale conventional threat that required a large army for more than 20 years.
"In an era where there has been no threat of conventional invasion since the end of the Cold War, some might ask why we can't shrink our army by even more than the significant numbers already announced."
The Army of 2020 would have three core purposes which would influence its structure: intervention and conventional deterrence, overseas operations with allies and activity within the UK.
"After our departure from Afghanistan in 2014 life in this new army is going to be different for sure; but it will be just as challenging," he wrote. "So we will look after them [soldiers] and their families. The ongoing redundancy programme is unavoidable. We must do everything possible to support those soldiers making the transition into civilian life. Equally we need to ensure the military offer continues to attract the best.
"Change is always difficult, and for an organisation as mindful of its history as the British army this is especially so. I am confident that Army 2020 is imaginatively configured and properly resourced to meet the future demands of this uncertain world, manned by soldiers of the highest quality."
HAVE YOUR SAY
05 July 2012
This man has no integrity.
Stephen Miles - London
05 July 2012
Looks like the peerage is in the bag.
AlMiles - Bristol, UK
05 July 2012
The three core purposes are the key and thats what he has been planning for. Lets hope that we have the ability to get them to where the politicians require them to intervene and conduct operations with allies; (both of these things will obviously be overseas and at some considerable distance from UK shores or I am a dutchman!). We need then: to transport, protect and support them in transit and support them from the start of the intervention operations through to a hopefully successful conclusion. This will require shipping and organic air support etc. etc. to be available from 2020 too. We can no longer rely on our proven ability of throwing something together on an ad hoc basis.
Norman - UK
05 July 2012
"We can no longer rely on our proven ability of throwing something together on an ad hoc basis." That's exactly what rapid reaction forces are meant to be. Made to measure, and the bare minimum to "go first, go fast, go home".
AlMiles - Bristol, UK
05 July 2012
It wasn't nearly as bad as feared, despite the huge losses. The planned force structure makes sense, at least. There's less of everything, but the cuts have been done with some actual smart planning behind them despite all.
I'm actually relieved, under many aspects.
But there are still many questions without an answer. I've written a long article in my blog to point them out, and give an overview of the situation.
http://ukarmedforcescommentary.blogspot.it/2012/07/army-where-is-it-going.html
Gabriele - Piacenza, Italy
06 July 2012
Thank you Gabriele, for a magnificant site.I'm currently working my way through your article and making notes to adjust my own database accordingly.
Daniele Mandelli - Guildford
06 July 2012
Agree on the peerage comment. I still await the day when the chiefs of staff resign en mass and put their services BEFORE their careers. Never happens though.
Talking of the suggestion of shrinking the army further due to not having to face a large conventional threat.
I would actually be in agreement with that IF we then expanded the RAF and the Royal Navy accordingly. They, along with UKSF, 16AAB, 3 Cdo, etc, are the true power projection capabilities. We are after all an island and will not be invaded any time soon.
But in reality the treasury would just take its pound of flesh, as per usual.
Where is the vision? Ok, reduce the army, but double the size of the RAF and Royal Navy. Just think of the power projection we could have?
Daniele Mandelli - Guildford
07 July 2012
AIMiles - Bristol. I would dispute your statement that Rapid Reaction Force(s) are thrown together on an ad hoc basis. The Rapid Reaction Force is an already formed and planned for entity ... such as 16AAB and 3 Cdo Bde ...... and now Armoured Brigades with Force Troops that can be drawn on for support. The next 5 - 10 years will see the British Army being based on a Rapid Reaction Armoured Brigade/Division format with ad hoc reinforcement from the seven Infantry Brigades on an as required, as available basis. Methinks you misunderstand ad hoc??!!!
Norman - UK