SIZE MATTERS - The British Military is in crisis!

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SIZE MATTERS - The British Military is in crisis!

Peter Richardson • 25 January 2024

Sqn Ldr Peter Richardson R’td

UK Independence Party Spokesman for Defence and Veterans

The number one priority of any government is to ensure the safety and defence of the country. Our British military is in crisis, with a critical shortage of personnel.

Is wokeism to blame for the lack of recruitment? It seems that Gen Z are not stepping up to the demanding roles required by the armed forces. I have met and know many Gen Z, they are not all, by far, the generation they are painted to be. Yes, they have a different focus on life, times have changed.

The armed forces have seen a reduction in physical fitness requirements, the acceptance of neck and hand tattoos and the allowance of beards in the army and air force. Certainly, Diversity and Inclusion has a lot to answer for, as many experienced military personnel are making the decision to leave the armed forces due to the imposed regimes.

Recruitment goals have not been met since 2010. Infantry units are 30% under strength and the Royal Navy cannot send one of its two aircraft carriers to the Red Sea due to staffing problems. Grant Shapps has indicated that the UK’s two amphibious assault ships that are used to project power across the world via the Royal Marines and the Commando Helicopter Force are going to be mothballed. This could indicate the end of the Royal marines as we know them. On top of this the Royal navy are to retire two frigates due to “shortages”. Admiral Nelson will be turning in his grave.

As for airpower, the RAF and Navy F35’s will not be fully up to operating capacity until 2025, with the current aircraft in service, mainly being used for training. In the year 2000, the armed forces stood at 110k personnel, in 2023 this had fallen to 77.5k and is projected to be a total of 73k by 2025, with just over 50k personnel in the army.

Yet despite all of the above, the British Army are to be the first line of defence should President Vladimir Putin decide to push beyond Ukraine and invade Europe. At best our troops could expect to defend and fight for two to three months. A senior US General has publicly stated that the UK is no longer a tier one fighting force.

As I stated in the opening sentence, the number one priority of any Government is to assure the defence and security of the country, yet year after year, government after government, the country has witnessed the decimation of our countries self-defence, this is a dereliction of duty.

Despite being the world’s sixth biggest spender on defence, the country still has a £17bn black hole. Finances have been wasted on employing CAPITA to undertake recruitment, their focus, it seems, is achieving diversity and inclusion quotas rather than filling the recruitment numbers badly needed.

The world is becoming an increasingly dangerous place and the defence of the realm through a strong, fully funded, well trained and experienced fighting force across all three services should be a major priority. A mutually assured defence commitment though NATO is vital. The countries expenditure on the defence budget needs to increase substantially. The recruitment of personnel needs to focus on the quality of personnel across the board and not to concentrate on diversity and inclusion quotas.

The armed forces need to be trained well, paid well, equipped well and accommodated in quality accommodation. The armed forces deserve the countries respect, now more than ever, those that serve to keep us all safe are doing so with dwindling resources and manpower, managing to do so with the utmost professionalism.

The United Kingdom Independence Party would ensure the armed forces are rebuilt to a formidable force, with the correct equipment, training, pay scales and career advancement, capable of projecting the UK’s military might across the globe. We would also ensure that our armed forces veterans are treated with the dignity they deserve for serving their country, ensuring they have all they support they need.

Sqn Ldr Peter Richardson R’td

UK Independence Party Spokesman for Defence and Veterans

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