The Strategic Defence and Security Review published yesterday set out a detailed plan to strengthen our armed forces. Our national security depends on our economic security. It is only because the Government has taken and is continuing to take difficult decisions to improve the economy that the Country can afford to invest more in our national security.
The plan announced yesterday set out how £178 billion will be spent over the next ten decade. The plan includes:
- Creating two new strike brigades with forces of up to 5,000 personnel each who will be fully equipped to deploy rapidly and sustain themselves in the field.
- Increasing the size of the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force by a total of 700 personnel.
- Renewing the continuous-at-sea nuclear deterrent – our ultimate insurance policy.
- Investing in nine maritime patrol aircraft to protect our nuclear deterrent, hunt down hostile submarines and enhance our maritime search and rescue.
- Extending the life of our multirole Typhoon aircraft for 10 extra years through to 2040, meaning we will be able to create two additional squadrons.
- Accelerating the F-35 programme, by buying 42 jets by 2023.
- Investing £1.9 billion over five years in our cyber security.
Today the House of Commons will be debating a motion tabled by the Scottish National Party which simply states : ‘That this House believes that Trident should not be renewed.’ It will be defeated.
David Nuttall 