News, Articles and Comment

Ed. An investigation into the procurement history of Canada’s troubled F-35 programme, focusing on the prevalence of political intervention and unclear commitments over more than a decade to demonstrate a systemic failure of the Defence procurement process, transcending government administrations. A 20 minute read.

Ed. The clarity and unity of purpose of state-on-state conflict over the centuries is a panacea that modern leaders must marvel at – in how relatively simple the world once was. Today’s interconnected, complex, and ambiguous global wicked problems present too many challenges to accommodate the security aspirations of the medium powers. We British wish to remain a global player yet our security options remain over-stretched and under-resourced. I suspect the new Secretary of State for Defence was given clear riding instructions to maintain a steady course and speed as well as under no circumstances rock the boat. As transparent as that is ‘events, dear boy, events’ are the greatest threat to his direction.

Ed. The author considers the grand strategic temptation of seeking a flank to break the current, Huntingesque, East-West standoff. Engaging additional allies, or enemies, and perpetuating old conflicts worldwide has dangerous implications for the future of global stability. Originally published in The Article. A 10 minute read.

Ed. The author highlights the need for digital mastery to protect against the ‘black jellyfish’ of postmodern threats. For the Art of Admiralty to succeed in the information age, it must be extended into the digital realm. A 10 minute read.

Ed. The author takes to task the combination of factors, personnel and hull numbers in particular, that have strained the Submarine Service to meet the demands of ever increasing global commitments.

Ed. The author revisits the old chestnut of FAA control: should naval aviation, vital to the RN’s strike group doctrine, reside under RAF or RN control?

Ed. The author argues that Britain’s current grand strategy has the hallmarks of uncertainty, having not yet settled on a strictly continentalist, or purely maritime strategy, one way or the other. If the Armed Forces are to be deployed effectively, it is imperative that clarity replace the current strategic ambiguity. Originally published in The Article. A 5 minute read.

Ed. Sixteen years ago, in response to a History Today article for the 66^th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, Rules of the Game author Andrew Gordon examined the question of the strategic significance of the air battle (in which FAA pilots took part), and emphasized the RN’s role in stopping the German invasion before it could begin. Republished here from NR 95/1 for the 83^rd anniversary of the Battle. A 15 minute read.

Ed. No stranger to historical debate, the author defends the appeasement policy of the late 1930s in view of the dire need to buy time for rapid rearmament.