Delivering Security in a Changing World

The 2003 Defence White Paper, entitled Delivering Security in a Changing World sets out the future of the British military and builds on the 1998 Strategic Defence Review (SDR) and the 2002 SDR New Chapter which responded to the challenges raised by the War on Terror.

Key points

Most of the reforms listed below were announced as part of the Delivering Security in a Changing World: Future Capabilites review, published on July 21 2004.

• British Army
  • Manpower reduced by 1,000.
  • Infantry battalions will be incorporated into a new, large, multi-battalion regiments.
  • Creation of three light armoured squadrons which will support development of the Future Rapid Effects System (FRES).
  • Will equip three artillery regiments with the Lightweight Mobile Artillery Weapon System (LIMAWS) when it enters service.
  • Restructuring will cut four battallions, and the manpower redistributed elsewhere.
  • Army High Velocity Missile fire units to be halved (which would lead to the re-role of two Territorial Army regiments).
  • The re-role of a Challenger 2 regiment into an armoured reconnaisance regiment.
  • The re-role of several AS-90 batteries into a light gun regiment for a new light brigade.
  • Withdrawal of seven Challenger 2 squadrons (approx. 84 tanks).
  • Withdrawal of six AS-90 self-propelled gun batteries (approx. 48 AS90s).
• Royal Air Force
  • Manpower reduced by 7,000.
  • Typhoon purchase confirmed, with Tranche 2 contract to be signed when cost/capabilites have been negotiated.
  • Additional procurement numbers of Hawk 128 training aircraft above initial batch of 20 to be decided upon in 2005.
  • Purchase of the 4 Boeing C-17s at the end of their lease period and one additional aircraft for a force of 5.
  • Current Nimrod MR2s maritime patrol aircraft fleet to be reduced from 21 to 16.
  • Reduction in purchase of remanufactured Nimrod MR4s from 18 to 12 aircraft.
  • Reduction of 6 Puma helicopters of 230 Squadron based in Northern Ireland.
  • Reduction of Tornado F3 force by one squadron (16 aircraft) in preparation for replacement with Typhoon.
  • Early withdrawal of the 41-strong SEPECAT Jaguar force by 2007.
  • Closure of Jaguar's operating base, RAF Coltishall.
  • Reduction in Rapier missile launchers from 48 to 24 and transfer to Army control, disbandment of four RAF Regiment Squadrons which operated Rapier.
• Royal Navy
  • Manpower reduced by 1,500.
  • Royal Navy Future Carrier (CVF) purchase confirmed.
  • Reduced purchase of Type 45 destroyers from 12 to 8.
  • Reduced force of Type 23 multirole frigates from 16 to 13 by 2006.
  • Early retirement of three Type 42 destroyers.
  • Reduced force of nuclear attack submarine fleet (SSNs) from 10 to 8.
  • Northern Ireland patrol fleet of three reconfigured Hunt-class minesweepers to be paid off by April 2007.

The review also mentioned "significant" classified enhancements of special forces, including investment in new equipment and strength increases.

Overall cuts will see personnel levels drop from 108,500 to 102,000 - this compares to a total strength of 255,000 prior to the 1993 Options for Change cuts.

Financially, the budget will rise by 3.7bn pounds, from £29.7bn in 2004/2005 to £33.4bn in 2007/2008. £3bn will also be invested into procuring new helicopter platforms over the next ten years.

See also

• Options for Change (1993)
• Strategic Defence Review (1998)

External links

• UK MoD: Delivering Security in a Changing World (PDF)
• UK MoD: Delivering Security in a Changing World: Future Capabilities (PDF)
• House of Commons Hansard: Future Capabilites