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Delivering Security in a Changing World

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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
    • Restructuring will cut four batallions and reduce Challenger II tank force by 84
  • Royal Air Force
    • 7,000 personnel to go
    • Typhoon purchase confirmed, with Tranche 2 contract to be signed when cost/capabilites have been negotiated.
    • Purchase of the 4 Boeing C-17s at the end of their lease period and one additional aircraft for a force of 5
    • Reduction in purchase of remanufactured Nimrod MR4s from 18 to 16, this was previously cut from 21
    • Reduction of Tornado F3 force by one squadron (16 aircraft) in preparation for replacement with Typhoon.
    • Withdrawal of 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
    • Reduced patrol vessels including Northern Ireland fleet

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.

See also

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