Source · Select Committees · Defence Committee
Recommendation 99
99
Acknowledged
Specialisation in defence roles is crucial, as generic forces are inadequate for modern warfare
Conclusion
One option that was suggested was that the UK Armed Forces could specialise in certain roles, relying on Allies to fill gaps in capability. Professor Bronk used the example of the Typhoon force which he described as covering “far too many mission sets” following its adoption of the roles previously covered by Tornado. The range of activities which the Typhoon force trains for and carries out means that “they cannot possibly be good at everything” and instead are “not particularly excellent at any mission”. He contrasted this to the situation in the early part of the 2010s, when “Typhoon was somewhat mature but was only doing air superiority, where that fleet was specifically and very highly valued by the Americans, because it was superb at air superiority”. He warned that: 203 Q74; 76 204 Q289; 309 205 Oral evidence taken on 18 April 2023, HC (2022–23) 1246, Q1 206 Oral evidence taken on 18 April 2023, HC (2022–23) 1246, Q1 207 Oral evidence taken on 18 April 2023, HC (2022–23) 1246, Q2 208 Oral evidence taken on 18 April 2023, HC (2022–23) 1246, Q5 209 Q73 40 Ready for War? The biggest issue with high-intensity warfare now is that it is so lethal and so demanding that the generic force of gifted amateurs that can try and span everything, which is essentially what Britain has always tried to be very good at and in the past has been excellent at, does not really work any more. You need to be very good at one or two things.210 However, General Sir Nick Carter warned that specialisation “is obviously a risk, but … these things are about trade-offs. You may need to invest in that because you fear that others might not mitigate it for you.”211
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the discussion on specialisation, stating that the UK's approach through NATO leverages the collective capabilities of 32 nations, and Defence continuously reviews priorities in concert with allies.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
As a leading member of NATO–the most successful military alliance in history–the UK and our Allies have a competitive advantage over our adversaries through the solidarity of 32 nations and the multiplying effect of interoperable forces. In NATO, Allies do not fight alone. It is through NATO and the UK’s wider Alliances and partnerships that the UK provides a credible defence from and deterrence to the threats the country faces. The UK can draw on the capabilities of the 32 NATO Allies and not only from our own armed forces. Defence must prioritise resources to support both future modernisation and current readiness. We do this in concert with our Allies through NATO, continuously reviewing our priorities and capability plans to address shortfalls we have identified.