Defence cuts today

It's nothing compared to George Osborne's bonfire in 2010/11. Let's not forget either that Thatcher's government was all set to remove the UK's aircraft carrier capability prior to the Falklands war. In 2021, Johnson's government cut the Army by 10,000. If the country can't afford it, the country can't sustain it, regardless of the government. From what I've read though, it seems to be a mix of retiring old kit and saving money.
We might really, really need a bigger, stronger military, but we also need to be able to afford it, especially if the farmers don't want to play their part.
Of course, if the UK hadn't voted to leave the EU, such belt-tightening might not have been needed.
Sunlit uplands?

What was Pumas current OSD?

Downsizer said:

What was Pumas current OSD?

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I think it's been extended at least once already because of the delays in selecting a replacement. This is more a case of confirming it won't get extended again so out of service by April next year

Whilst most of this initially looks bad I think it's probably quite sensible and well free up cash and people for better use.

The ships all seem to have been stuck in port for several years as they are old and knackered.

Watchkeeper was about a decade late, already obsolete when it did arrive and isn't particularly successful.

Puma has been a solid workhorse but should have been replaced years ago and hopefully now a decision on its replacement (or loss of capability) will actually be made.

The plan for the Chinooks seems to be new for old one for one swap, so the fleet size shouldn't change but availability should increase with the improved serviceability.

I do wonder why they have done it now, just how big are the changes/cuts that are going into the SDR that they need to scrap things before it's finished?

Flumpdaddy said:

I do wonder why they have done it now, just how big are the changes/cuts that are going into the SDR that they need to scrap things before it's finished?

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Good question if these are pre review actions what's in the pipeline?

Regardless of what party is currently in Government they always cut, at what point do we (Army, Navy & RAF) become ineffective. There is only so many cuts the Armed Forces can take before we get to a point were we cannot even defend the UK, let alone deploy overseas. Unfortunately defence does not win votes and that is always in the front of every government. It also doesn't help that the defence procurement process is an absolute shambles and is not fit for purpose.

Historically we have always been under manned and under prepared before a major conflict. Loads of troops being paid to sit around on loads of shiney new expensive kit "just in case" has never been either a vote winner or treasury policy. These days I doubt whether we still have the national will or the industrial capacity to ramp up quickly in troops or kit when the next big punch up arrives.