RUSI deputy: UK needs longer procurement plans and improved awareness of US sift to Indo-Pacific
Procurement programmes such as New Medium Helicopter, which will replace the army's Pumas among others, are being evaluated under the UK government’s review. (Photo: UK MoD/Crown Copyright)
The UK budget announced in Parliament on 30 October was the first by a Labour government in 14 years which has also launched a review into defence procurement programmes.
European NATO countries need to acknowledge that the US government is increasingly focused on the Indo-Pacific region, according to RUSI deputy director general Professor Malcolm Chalmers, who also said the UK needed longer procurement planning.
Speaking at a UK’s Defence Committee spending hearing days after the UK budget and amid an ongoing Strategic Defence Review (SDR), Chalmers said that there was a feeling UK forces were “hollowed” out.
On 30 October the UK government committed to spending an additional £2.9 billion (US$3.8 billion) on defence in the next financial year as part of an effort to reach a target of spending
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
Read this Article
Get access to this article with a Free Basic Account
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 2 free store ies per week
- Daily news round-up email service
- Access to all Decisive Edge email newsletters
Unlimited Access
Access to all our premium news as a Premium News 365 Member. Corporate subscriptions available.
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 14-day free trial (cancel at any time)
- Unlimited access to all published premium news
More from Defence Notes
-
![UK makes big moves to fix “broken” defence procurement system ahead of major review]()
UK makes big moves to fix “broken” defence procurement system ahead of major review
The changes are intended to meet greater need and deliver more value for money.
-
![US companies invest in production capabilities to satisfy DoD’s hunger for cutting-edge capabilities]()
US companies invest in production capabilities to satisfy DoD’s hunger for cutting-edge capabilities
BAE Systems, Booz Allen Hamilton and Lockheed Martin have been betting on new facilities and innovative manufacturing technologies to speed up the development of new solutions.
-
![Just Released: Military Training Technology Report October 2024 now available to read]()
Just Released: Military Training Technology Report October 2024 now available to read
How the latest portable simulation solutions can deliver JTAC training wherever it is needed
-
![Irish defence budget increased by just €100 million despite €25 billion surplus]()
Irish defence budget increased by just €100 million despite €25 billion surplus
The budget of more than €1.3 billion is a record figure for the Irish Defence Forces but almost a quarter is to meet to meet the pensions costs of Defence Forces Veterans and their dependents.
