{"id":67334,"date":"2016-02-05T14:23:28","date_gmt":"2016-02-05T14:23:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?guid=f70e1b394f297b13b0352496f78b386d"},"modified":"2016-02-05T14:23:28","modified_gmt":"2016-02-05T14:23:28","slug":"speech-secretary-of-state-offers-an-insight-into-uk-defence-thinking","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?p=67334","title":{"rendered":"Speech: Secretary of State offers an insight into UK defence thinking"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"govspeak\">\n<p>It\u2019s good to see so many of you here today and I\u2019m proud to know that we have some 50 nations represented in this room.<\/p>\n<p>Today is a chance for me to give you an insight into our UK defence thinking at present.<\/p>\n<p>But it\u2019s also an opportunity to pick your brains.<\/p>\n<p>Great challenges require great military minds<\/p>\n<p>\u2026and when we have so many brilliant brains in the room<\/p>\n<p>\u2026we can\u2019t fail to come up with some solutions.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"challenges\">Challenges<\/h2>\n<p>Let me return to the challenges we\u2019re facing.<\/p>\n<p>As our National Security Strategy identified not long ago.<\/p>\n<p>\u2026the world is becoming more dangerous and uncertain<\/p>\n<p>\u2026with the interconnected threats we\u2019re facing<\/p>\n<p>\u2026increasing in scale, diversity and complexity<\/p>\n<p>Our strategy identified a number of issues likely to preoccupy us in the coming decade<\/p>\n<p>\u2026increasing terrorism, exemplified by Daesh<\/p>\n<p>\u2026the resurgence of state based threats, such as Putin\u2019s Russia<\/p>\n<p>\u2026and the rise of technology, especially cyber<\/p>\n<p>\u2026which as the attacks on TV stations and banks in recent months show\u2026poses a very real threat.<\/p>\n<p>Taken together these dangers are destabilising the rules based order and undermining our security and prosperity. <\/p>\n<p>In the past few months we\u2019ve been also reminded of other interrelated issues putting our system under further strain.<\/p>\n<p>Rogue nations like north Korea are testing nuclear weapons <\/p>\n<p>\u2026and a huge migration is spilling into the Med <\/p>\n<p>\u2026and testing Europe\u2019s commitment to free movement<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"response\">Response<\/h2>\n<p>In response to these challenges the UK government set out a comprehensive strategy with overriding national security objectives:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>protecting our people<\/li>\n<li>projecting our global influence<\/li>\n<li>promoting our prosperity<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>To deliver those priorities we\u2019ve chosen to invest in bigger, bolder defence<\/p>\n<p>\u2026spending 2%, to grow our budget year on year<\/p>\n<p>\u2026and using an augmented \u00a3178 billion equipment plan<\/p>\n<p>\u2026to fit out a larger joint expeditionary force backed up<\/p>\n<p>\u2026with new carriers, more F35 earlier, maritime patrol vessels, successor submarines and Ajax Armoured Vehicle.<\/p>\n<p>I\u2019m sure you\u2019re up to speed on the contents of our National Security Strategy.<\/p>\n<p>So let me make 3 points about our approach<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"active\">Active<\/h2>\n<p>First, it\u2019s about being more active.<\/p>\n<p>We need to be able to respond to multiple threats on many concurrent fronts.<\/p>\n<p>Last year we took part in more than 20 operations in 19 countries.<\/p>\n<p>This year we\u2019re maintaining that operational energy.<\/p>\n<p>UK\u2019s Typhoons will be back in eastern Europe for the third time<\/p>\n<p>\u2026policing Baltic skies<\/p>\n<p>We\u2019ll be intensifying our efforts in <abbr title=\"North Atlantic Treaty Organisation\">NATO<\/abbr> exercises<\/p>\n<p>\u2026 sending more than 1,000 troops<\/p>\n<p>\u2026to support Exercises Anaconda and Swift Response<\/p>\n<p>\u2026based in Poland and the Baltic states<\/p>\n<p>We\u2019re playing a major role in defeating Daesh.<\/p>\n<p>And following the decisive Parliamentary vote, our planes are now striking the terrorists.<\/p>\n<p>In Syria as well as Iraq.<\/p>\n<p>We\u2019re also leading the coalition\u2019s strategic communications work as well<\/p>\n<p>\u2026exposing the evil nature of the extremists<\/p>\n<p>At the same time we\u2019re doubling <abbr title=\"United Nations\">UN<\/abbr> peacekeeping effort.<\/p>\n<p>At Christmas I was in Nigeria meeting our forces helping the government it is fight against Boko Haram. <\/p>\n<h2 id=\"integrated\">Integrated<\/h2>\n<p>Secondly, our approach is about becoming more integrated.<\/p>\n<p>At a time of increasing demands<\/p>\n<p>\u2026when the threats facing us as a country transcend departmental boundaries<\/p>\n<p>\u2026we\u2019ve recognised the need to take a \u201cwhole government\u201d response<\/p>\n<p>\u2026co-ordinating effort across Whitehall departments<\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s why we conduct not strategic defence reviews but strategic defence and security reviews.<\/p>\n<p>\u2026combining our National Security Strategy<\/p>\n<p>And it\u2019s why we now have bodies such as the National Security Council<\/p>\n<p>\u2026providing collective strategic leadership across Whitehall<\/p>\n<p>\u2026on national security and crisis issues<\/p>\n<p>Our integrated approach isn\u2019t just illustrated by new structures<\/p>\n<p>\u2026but by our response on the ground<\/p>\n<p>Look at the way we dealt with Ebola in Sierra Leone.<\/p>\n<p>Our armed forces built treatment centres<\/p>\n<p>\u2026that were staffed by <abbr title=\"National Health Service\">NHS<\/abbr> volunteers<\/p>\n<p>\u2026delivering life saving care.<\/p>\n<p>While staff from our development department and <abbr title=\"Foriegn and Commonwealth Office\">FCO<\/abbr> <\/p>\n<p>\u2026alongside our charities<\/p>\n<p>\u2026got out into the villages<\/p>\n<p>\u2026to educate local people about prevention.<\/p>\n<p>Significantly, this work and our Afghanistan operation made increasing use of stabilisation units<\/p>\n<p>\u2026combining civilian and military effort to build stability overseas<\/p>\n<p>In fact, we\u2019ve come to the view that defence and development are two sides of the same coin.<\/p>\n<p>You can\u2019t tackle extremism without tackling the instability that feeds it.<\/p>\n<p>Which is why we\u2019re the only major country in the world not just meeting the <abbr title=\"North Atlantic Treaty Organisation\">NATO<\/abbr> target.<\/p>\n<p>\u2026but spending at least 0.7% on development<\/p>\n<p>And we\u2019re now applying our integrated template to the policy arena.<\/p>\n<p>This year we\u2019re creating a number of new policy making and delivery Joint Units.<\/p>\n<p>\u2026bringing together diplomatic and defence expertise to develop and implement UK policy for <abbr title=\"North Atlantic Treaty Organisation\">NATO<\/abbr> and for <abbr title=\"European Union\">EU<\/abbr> Common Security and Defence Policy<\/p>\n<p>\u2026joining up defence and the <abbr title=\"Foriegn and Commonwealth Office\">FCO<\/abbr> to formulate UK policy on <abbr title=\"United Nations\">UN<\/abbr> peacekeeping missions<\/p>\n<p>\u2026and consolidating our approach to arms and counter proliferation into a single place\u2026here at <abbr title=\"Ministry of Defence\">MOD<\/abbr>.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"battle-of-ideas\">Battle of ideas<\/h3>\n<p>But perhaps the most interesting area where this joined up approach is being employed <\/p>\n<p>\u2026is in the battle of ideas<\/p>\n<p>Today we\u2019re seeing countries and religions<\/p>\n<p>\u2026who feel they have been denied their due place in the world<\/p>\n<p>\u2026becoming increasing assertive <\/p>\n<p>\u2026looking to redraw the map and aggressively impose their views<\/p>\n<p>So our security depends as much on winning the argument as it does on winning the fight.<\/p>\n<p>That requires unity of purpose <\/p>\n<p>\u2026and a total cross government response<\/p>\n<p>This is precisely how we\u2019re now tackling Islamist extremism.<\/p>\n<p>We\u2019re not just looking to target the terrorists<\/p>\n<p>\u2026shut down their online presence<\/p>\n<p>\u2026stop their financial support<\/p>\n<p>\u2026and prevent their fighters crossing our borders<\/p>\n<p>We\u2019re looking to call out their extremist narrative<\/p>\n<p>\u2026supporting reforming voices within the Muslim community to put a moderate perspective<\/p>\n<p>\u2026stopping the apologists from painting this as a clash between Islam and the west<\/p>\n<p>\u2026and preventing the fusion of religion and politics\u2026followed by the swift slide into radicalisation<\/p>\n<p>But we\u2019re also looking to do something else.<\/p>\n<p>We\u2019re looking to make our case <\/p>\n<p>\u2026as a proud nation with much to offer the world<\/p>\n<p>A nation that offers its citizens<\/p>\n<p>\u2026freedom from discrimination<\/p>\n<p>\u2026religious tolerance<\/p>\n<p>\u2026and opportunity for all\u2026whatever your class, creed or colour<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"challenges-1\">Challenges<\/h3>\n<p>Yet we face a significant barrier in getting our messages across.<\/p>\n<p>Our enemies <\/p>\n<p>\u2026unencumbered by truth <\/p>\n<p>\u2026are able to use social media <\/p>\n<p>\u2026using other cyber tools to instantly pump out their malignant messages <\/p>\n<p>\u2026to distort evidence in a Babel of voices<\/p>\n<p>\u2026while we are hampered by our need to check every fact<\/p>\n<p>So we\u2019re having to develop better strategic communication that allow us to deliver a faster truth.<\/p>\n<p>Taken together our new integrated approach is revolutionising defence and government.<\/p>\n<p>My military colleagues are now having to get used to the sensation of feeling somewhat less independent.<\/p>\n<p>On the other they\u2019re revelling in getting a seat at a bigger table <\/p>\n<p>\u2026guaranteeing them greater influence<\/p>\n<p>National resilience planning is one such area.<\/p>\n<p>Instead of just being called out when the storm hits<\/p>\n<p>\u2026military planners are being embedded in key government departments<\/p>\n<p>\u2026so their vital expertise is plugged into the contingency solution<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"international\">International<\/h2>\n<p>My third point continues the theme of integration.<\/p>\n<p>But it is about integration at an international level with allies and partners.<\/p>\n<p>We can\u2019t deliver our national security goals and tackle global threats without their support.<\/p>\n<p>So the UK is now looking to become international-by-design<\/p>\n<p>\u2026and work far more closely with our allies and partners.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"nato\"><abbr title=\"North Atlantic Treaty Organisation\">NATO<\/abbr><\/h3>\n<p>You\u2019ll see us\u2026in the coming year\u2026doing even more to modernise <abbr title=\"North Atlantic Treaty Organisation\">NATO<\/abbr>\u2026the cornerstone of our defence<\/p>\n<p>At the last <abbr title=\"North Atlantic Treaty Organisation\">NATO<\/abbr> summit I attended in Wales<\/p>\n<p>\u2026Barack Obama and David Cameron called on the alliance<\/p>\n<p>\u2026 to address the lack of investment\u2026<\/p>\n<p>\u2026danger of equipment obsolescence<\/p>\n<p>\u2026and need for faster response<\/p>\n<p>Since then seven nations have pledged to increase their spending and put together rapid reaction force<\/p>\n<p>\u2026with the UK setting the pace<\/p>\n<p>\u2026committing to 2%<\/p>\n<p>\u2026 and leading the Spearhead Force in 2017.<\/p>\n<p>But as we look ahead to the Warsaw conference in a few months\u2019 time<\/p>\n<p>\u2026 big challenges remain<\/p>\n<p>We need to galvanise the alliance <\/p>\n<p>Not only do we need it to live up to the commitments made at the last summit.<\/p>\n<p>Not only must we provide a strong response to Russia<\/p>\n<p>\u2026 and decide how <abbr title=\"North Atlantic Treaty Organisation\">NATO<\/abbr> can respond to threats on its Southern flank. <\/p>\n<p>But we have to make sure <abbr title=\"North Atlantic Treaty Organisation\">NATO<\/abbr> continues to evolve and adapt, military, politically and institutionally, so it\u2019s capable of dealing with whatever is thrown at it.<\/p>\n<p>In particular, we have the grander\u2026no less vital task\u2026 of reinventing deterrence for the 21st century.<\/p>\n<p>Making sure it can deal with<\/p>\n<p>\u2026not just with traditional military aggression but the hybrid challenge\u2026of war waged through proxies<\/p>\n<p>\u2026and cyber attack, which blurs the line between military and civilian<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"eu\"><abbr title=\"European Union\">EU<\/abbr><\/h2>\n<p>The UK isn\u2019t just committed to <abbr title=\"North Atlantic Treaty Organisation\">NATO<\/abbr>.<\/p>\n<p>We\u2019re pressing for a more coherent European security architecture<\/p>\n<p>\u2026that sees the <abbr title=\"European Union\">EU<\/abbr> and <abbr title=\"North Atlantic Treaty Organisation\">NATO<\/abbr> properly coordinated <\/p>\n<p>\u2026with both playing to their strengths<\/p>\n<p>We\u2019ve seen the effect <abbr title=\"European Union\">EU<\/abbr> economic sanctions have had on Russia<\/p>\n<p>\u2026and the security co-operation that followed in the wake of Paris<\/p>\n<p>We\u2019ve also seen the <abbr title=\"European Union\">EU<\/abbr> and <abbr title=\"North Atlantic Treaty Organisation\">NATO<\/abbr> make good progress on strategic communications and countering the hybrid warfare threat. <\/p>\n<p>But we must sure this new found sense of coherence continues<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"worldwide-footprint\">Worldwide footprint<\/h3>\n<p>Besides upping our impetus on the multi-lateral front<\/p>\n<p>\u2026we\u2019re also expanding our worldwide footprint to ensure we can continue having a global impact<\/p>\n<p>When the problems arise we need to be able to react quickly.<\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s why we\u2019re leading on the Joint Expeditionary Force.<\/p>\n<p>\u2026 with our Baltic, Danish, Dutch and Norwegian friends<\/p>\n<p>\u2026allowing us to rapidly deploy a specialist force in the event of crisis.<\/p>\n<p>And our fleet of foot will also be significantly enhanced through our UK\/France Combined Joint Expeditionary Force which stands up this year.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, our partnership with the US and Germany\u2026 in the Transatlantic Capability Enhancement and Training initiative (TACET) which will improve our understanding of the situation in the east and again improve our ability to respond.<\/p>\n<p>Projecting power is one thing.<\/p>\n<p>But we also need to be able to project the influence that can spot trouble down the track<\/p>\n<p>\u2026and head it off before crisis turns to chaos<\/p>\n<p>We\u2019re working hard right across the world.<\/p>\n<p>We\u2019re building a naval base in Bahrain to magnify the support we can provide across the Gulf.<\/p>\n<p>We\u2019re doing more in Asia, getting more out of our forces in Brunei working with Singapore, Malaysia, Australia and New Zealand to improve our 5 powers defence arrangement and engaging regional allies such as Japan and India<\/p>\n<p>We\u2019re reinforcing our on-going engagement with south American defence partners.<\/p>\n<p>And we\u2019re now creating British Defence Staffs in the Middle East, Asia Pacific and Africa<\/p>\n<p>\u2026giving us an enduring footprint across those regions.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"conclusion-questions\">Conclusion: questions<\/h2>\n<p>But talk of defence diplomacy brings me back to you.<\/p>\n<p>If there\u2019s one thing more important than money or kit to international work<\/p>\n<p>\u2026it\u2019s dialogue.<\/p>\n<p>Only by sitting down together<\/p>\n<p>\u2026discussing the issues we face\u2026in an academic forum such as this<\/p>\n<p>\u2026can we hope to come up with some collective solutions<\/p>\n<p>So in a break with the traditions of a speech<\/p>\n<p>\u2026which require you to ask me questions at the end<\/p>\n<p>\u2026I\u2019d like to pose you a few questions first.<\/p>\n<p>Developing some of themes I\u2019ve discussed.<\/p>\n<p>How can we develop a 21st century deterrence posture with a clearer understanding of the types of activity that can threaten a nation?<\/p>\n<p>How can we ensure an effective collective response to such challenges?<\/p>\n<p>And how can we work together to put out that faster truth so necessary in winning the great battle of ideas?<\/p>\n<p>As with any diplomatic engagement, getting an immediate answer isn\u2019t the point<\/p>\n<p>Having the conversation is what counts.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Speech by Michael Fallon, Secretary of State for 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