Source · Select Committees · Defence Committee
Recommendation 50
50
Accepted
Full British Army fighting echelon renewal for NATO operations not expected until mid-2030s.
Conclusion
Despite these actions, the Minister for the Armed Forces acknowledged that the “complete renewal of the British Army’s fighting echelon is in order to sustain our ability to put a British Division into the NATO fight under a British-led corps” would not be realised until “ the two Armoured Infantry Brigades and the Deep Recce Strike Brigade are fully constituted in the middle of the next decade”.84 77 Q65; 70 78 In comparison the Navy’s grew by 15% and Air’s by 18%. 79 Ministry of Defence (CDS0001) 80 Q222 81 Q237 82 Q236–7 83 Q223 84 Q 441;443 22 Ready for War? The Royal Navy
Government Response Summary
The government outlines its ongoing recapitalisation programme and modernisation efforts across all domains, encompassing new platforms, stockpiles, and industrial partnerships, as its strategy to address Army renewal.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The UK already has a significant recapitalisation programme underway across all domains. Defence has new platforms that are in service, or are coming into service, which will completely transform the Armed Forces’ capability. Through commitments made in DCP23, Defence is prioritising the things that will make those capabilities more lethal and ready, such as stockpiles, munitions, and enablers including storage facilities and our transformed partnership with industry, where we will engage much earlier in strategic conversations to create a more resilient, reliable, and adaptable industrial base. This is highlighted in the new Integrated Procurement Model–a system that will see earlier expert assurance of future military programmes to ensure they will deliver for UK forces on the frontline. Our programme of modernisation and mobilisation of conventional forces is addressing shortfalls in capabilities where we cannot continue to maintain risk. The lethality of our Forces will be enhanced; The Royal Navy continues to develop lethality to complement its carrier and amphibious strike capabilities. It has bought the Naval Strike Missile capability at pace allowing precision strike on land and at sea. The Army is enhancing its deep fire capabilities, to counter and hit precise deeper targets. The RAF is continuing to evolve and innovate, including counter-UAS technology and initial Swarming Drones capabilities. We have published our drone strategy. And MOD is doing more to increase operational productivity by rebalancing investment in capabilities’ availability and sustainment.