Source · Select Committees · Defence Committee
Second Report - The Integrated Review, Defence in a Competitive Age and the Defence and Security Industrial Strategy
Defence Committee
HC 180
Published 28 July 2022
Recommendations
7
Acknowledged
Defence in a Competitive Age and the Defence and Security Industrial Strategy are ambitious papers,...
Recommendation
Defence in a Competitive Age and the Defence and Security Industrial Strategy are ambitious papers, aimed at modernising UK defence and ensuring it has equipment suitable for the Information Age. Whilst the conclusions of Defence in a Competitive Age ought …
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Government Response Summary
The government welcomes the support from the Committee in ensuring the Defence and Security Industrial Strategy (DSIS) is fully implemented, and notes progress made in several key areas, with ongoing work to change ways of working and challenge long-standing patterns of thinking.
Ministry of Defence
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15
Acknowledged
There is a danger of overstretch.
Recommendation
There is a danger of overstretch. The Government needs to ensure that the military is properly resourced with both equipment and personnel to carry out the tasks required of it. To do this, we recommend there be a wholesale re-examination …
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Government Response Summary
The government supports the sentiment of the Committee’s recommendation for a wholesale re-examination of the decisions on capabilities and timeframes within the Defence Command Paper, and assures the Committee that this work is underway, including as part of the Government’s ongoing review of the IR.
Ministry of Defence
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23
Acknowledged
As well as an annual report on the implementation of the IR, we recommend the...
Recommendation
As well as an annual report on the implementation of the IR, we recommend the MOD produce an annual evaluation of what has been achieved in their implementation of Defence in a Competitive Age and DSIS. This evaluation should include …
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Government Response Summary
The government welcomes the conclusion and will explore ways to engage with Parliament following the publication of the update to the IR, building on their commitment to publicise the findings of its annual report on the IR.
Ministry of Defence
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Conclusions (11)
1
Conclusion
Acknowledged
It is difficult not to feel a sense of déjà vu as we see British military ambitions which are not entirely matched by resources. Open conflict has returned to Europe and it is disappointing to see that the Government is not preparing for the impact of inflation and insufficient industrial …
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the shifting context and the less favorable economic and security environment, and states that they continue to monitor and analyze the situation in Ukraine and beyond to ensure their strategic approach remains threat-led and in line with agile planning and delivery mechanisms. They will continue to review capabilities and readiness levels and update the IR.
2
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 21
In the Integrated Review and the Defence Command Paper, the Government identified and understood the implications of the range of complex and cascading threats faced by the UK. However, the impact of both the Afghan withdrawal and the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine are being seemingly dismissed as insignificant and …
Government Response Summary
The government states that it supports the sentiment of the recommendations made in conclusions 2,3 and 4 and recognises that the context is shifting and Defence will have to adapt accordingly to deliver the IR’s vision. They also state they are supporting the update to the Integrated Review.
3
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 22
There is a need for a New Chapter update to the IR and the Defence Command Paper which takes into account the events in Afghanistan and Ukraine. The document should then set out how the analysis of the strategic context has changed and what decisions in the Command Paper the …
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the need to adapt to the shifting context, particularly regarding the conflict in Ukraine, and supports the sentiment of the recommendations, but commits to no specific review of the Integrated Review and Defence Command Paper.
4
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 30
The UK public is aware of the threats which the UK faces but does not appear to trust the Government to act in the national interest. Whilst investments in new technology are vital, it is also clear that, the days of “big tank battles on the European landmass” are not …
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the need to adapt to the shifting context, particularly regarding the conflict in Ukraine, and supports the sentiment of the recommendations, but commits to no specific review of the Integrated Review and Defence in a Competitive Age.
6
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Foreign policy decisions and consequent actions by UK Defence need to be supported by the UK public. The lack of organisation round the withdrawal from Afghanistan damaged the Government’s standing. However, so far, engagement with the public on the Russian offensive in Ukraine and British support for Ukraine has been …
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the Committee on the importance of public engagement and stated that the UK public has consistently supported the MOD’s contribution to supporting Ukraine.
9
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 54
The lack of prioritisation means that it is impossible to determine which of the threats highlighted the Government perceives to be greatest. It also results in the military seemingly being the answer for every question whilst not being appropriately resourced for the task.
Government Response Summary
The government states that the UK Armed Forces are configured to respond to all types of threats, and that priorities are set out in the Integrated Review and Defence Command Paper, but provides no specifics on how these priorities are weighed.
12
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 72
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 …
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.
13
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 77
The MOD faces a number of challenges following decisions made in the Integrated Review: the likelihood of a capability gap, as equipment is retired before its replacement is introduced; a reduction in the British Army’s heavy armour and mass at a time when tank battles are raging in Ukraine; and …
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges concerns regarding capability gaps, reduction in heavy armour, and reliance on untested technology, and states that modernization must remain the focus while also addressing near-term readiness risks. They will continue to review capabilities and readiness levels as part of the Government’s decision to update the IR.
14
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 78
It is clear that, even if the Government decides to proceed with the decisions taken in the IR and the Defence Command Paper, the timeline of changes ought also to be reviewed given the potential for capability gaps which leave the UK Armed Forces vulnerable. We are especially concerned about …
Government Response Summary
The government stated that the Army will have a whole force of over 100,000, continues to monitor the security environment in Eastern Europe, and the Army keeps its plans under review. There are currently no plans to reverse the Army’s reduction in regular personnel, but the Army regularly assesses the balance of people, capability, and activity in line with the threats and available resources.
21
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 105
The lack of a definition of what it means to be integrated makes it somewhat difficult to measure the success of the Government in achieving its objectives. However, we will continue to evaluate the implementation of the Integrated Review, the Defence Command Paper and the DSIS throughout the life of …
Government Response Summary
The government provides its definition of integration, both broadly through interoperability and cooperation, and specifically through Multi-Domain Integration via modernization of communications and information systems.
22
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 106
We welcome the Government’s commitment to the publication of an annual review on the implementation of the Integrated Review. However, given that the implementation is the key, consistent evaluation of the implementation of the strategies throughout this Parliament is vital. This Committee, alongside our colleagues on the Public Accounts Committee, …
Government Response Summary
The government recognises the important role the Defence Select Committee and other Parliamentary Committees play in holding Government to account, and the NSA committed to sharing an update with the JCNSS on progress against the IR.