NAO spotlights critical weaknesses in armed forces readiness for battle

16 Jun 05
Opposition defence secretary Michael Ancram has accused ministers of sending the country's armed forces into combat with 'one arm tied behind their back', after a National Audit Office report revealed that more than a third of the military could not be deployed on time.

17 June 2005

Opposition defence secretary Michael Ancram has accused ministers of sending the country's armed forces into combat with 'one arm tied behind their back', after a National Audit Office report revealed that more than a third of the military could not be deployed on time.

The watchdog's report, Assessing and reporting military readiness, shows that, across the three forces, 38% had 'serious weaknesses' in being prepared for battle, of which 2% were described as 'critical'.

The ability to get the forces ready had become 'increasingly demanding' over the past three years, a trend that would almost certainly continue, the NAO conceded.

Hardest hit appeared to be the Royal Navy. Little more than half of its fleet would be able to deploy in time over the next six years.

The NAO said many of the navy's funds had been diverted to the army in recent years to cope with operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

That situation could be exacerbated next year as the UK army takes the lead in peacekeeping operations in Afghanistan. More than 5,000 troops will be deployed next May.

Flying hours for the RAF have been reduced, again to divert resources to the army. The NAO said this could affect flying crews' war-fighting abilities and lead to a 'dilution of skills and experience'.

Ancram said the problem arose because of an obsession with funding. 'The risk the MoD is taking is utterly unacceptable and entirely driven by the Treasury's ambition to save funds by depleting the capability and the readiness of our armed forces,' he said.

However, Adam Ingram, armed forces minister, said Britain had been able to deploy its forces in emergencies in recent times. 'The judgment has to be made – have we failed in any of our tasks? And the answer is no,' he said.

Sir John Bourn, head of the National Audit Office, said more needed to be done. 'In particular, it [the MoD] needs to evaluate longer term risks to the UK forces' ability to undertake future operations,' he said.

PFjun2005

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