Source · Select Committees · Defence Committee
Recommendation 12
12
Acknowledged
Paragraph: 72
Alongside the Permanent Secretary’s acknowledgement that some of the risk judgements made within the Integrated...
Conclusion
Alongside the Permanent Secretary’s acknowledgement that some of the risk judgements made within the Integrated Review process might need to be revisited in light of events in Ukraine, it is clear that the capability gaps which the Defence Command Paper saw as acceptable are now no longer palatable. Furthermore, the move to such a position relies on technological innovation and the adoption of digital capabilities (such as Ajax and the Digital Backbone, as noted above).
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the capability gaps are no longer palatable and states that they will conduct an update to the IR to ensure sufficient investment in strategic capabilities and alliances, considering how to mitigate near-term risks. Defence Digital is leading a programme to modernize skills, process and technology.
Paragraph Reference:
72
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
The IR has set the Armed Forces on a course of transformation to meet the threats of the future. As part of this process equipment will be retired, and, as appropriate, replaced. There is also the constant process of monitoring and development of technology to ensure that our threat assessment remains appropriate. However, as the Secretary of State has stated, as the threat changes, we need to change with it. We believe that modernisation must remain Defence’s driving focus and be at the heart of delivering an Armed Forces fit for the future able to deter threats from adversaries. However, we also must not lose sight of the needs of the Armed Forces today, and we will therefore look to mitigate nearer term readiness risks and increase interoperability with partners. As we have already stated in response to conclusions above, the Government will conduct an update to the IR to ensure we are sufficiently investing in the strategic capabilities and alliances. This work will consider how to mitigate near-term risks. As noted in our wider response, Defence Digital are leading a programme to modernise skills, process and technology in support of our goal to continually deliver game-changing digital and data technology to the front line. We have made good progress in the early stages of this program and need to ensure we retain support and investment to stay the course through to 2025 and beyond.