The UK’s defence and security structure is “woefully unsuitable” for facing the threats posed by today’s world, the government has warned.
Prime Minister David Cameron and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg attacked the defence policies of the previous Labour government as the National Security Strategy was published.
It said cyber attacks and terrorism threaten the UK’s security more than traditional military conflict and called for a “radical transformation” in the way Britain organises its national security.
In a foreword, Mr Cameron and Mr Clegg said the country was continually facing “new and unforeseen” threats to security.
“The last government took little account of this fact,” it added. “Twelve years elapsed while the world changed almost beyond recognition. Abroad, our forces were sent into action without equipment they needed, and in the face of lamentable planning, and in more simultaneous conflicts than the Defence Review of 1998 had planned for.
“As a government, we have inherited a defence and security structure that is woefully unsuitable for the world we live in today. We are determined to learn from those mistakes and make the changes needed.”
The publication of the strategy came ahead of today’s release of the Strategic Defence and Security Review, which will set out the future shape of the armed forces.Cuts foretoldCritics of the government said on Monday the strategy was designed as justification for likely bracing cuts of up to 8% in the UK’s defence budget.
“The government seem to be producing a reheated security strategy to provide cover for a rushed defence review, rather that producing a renewed and careful consideration of the UK’s defence and security priorities,” said shadow foreign secretary Yvette Cooper.
The strategy document identifies four “tier one” risks that, it states, must be the government’s highest priority. These included hostile computer attacks on UK cyberspace and international terrorism including the possibility of a “significant increase” in terrorism related to Northern Ireland.
The other major threats are a large-scale accident or natural hazard such as pandemic flu and an international military crisis that could draw in the UK and its allies.
A second series of “tier two” priorities includes an attack by another state or its proxy using weapons of mass destruction, a civil war or other instability, which terrorists could exploit to threaten the UK, and a significant increase in the level of organised crime.
Also listed as a “tier two” priority is the threat of severe disruption to information received or transmitted by satellites, possibly as the result of a deliberate attack by another state.
A large-scale conventional military attack on the UK is rated only as a “tier three” priority alongside disruption to oil and gas supplies and a large-scale radioactive release from a civil nuclear site. Other “tier three” risks include an increase in the numbers of terrorists, organised criminals or illegal immigrants trying to enter the UK, an attack on another NATO or EU member or a UK overseas territory, and the disruption of supplies like food or minerals.
Foreign secretary William Hague said, “The government is determined to maintain Britain’s security, prosperity and influence in the world. The National Security Strategy sets out how we will achieve this, using all the instruments of our national power to protect our citizens, prevent conflict and seek out opportunities for Britain.
“The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has a clear role in using agile and energetic diplomacy to protect our country’s interests, building new connections for Britain in a networked world, and leading foreign policy thinking across government.
“The networks we use to build our prosperity we will also use to strengthen our security, forging a distinctive British approach to foreign policy and pursuing it consistently over time.”
Image used from Wikimedia Commons.