EQUIPPING THE FORCES
139. Modern battle-winning forces need equipment which gives them a decisive technological edge in critical capability areas. A major force modernisation programme is already under way. The introduction of a new generation of weapons and other key systems will bring major improvements in military capability. These include not only major fighting equipments such as Eurofighter, the Apache helicopter and the Horizon frigate projects but 'force multipliers' such as the COBRA weapon locating radar. Our re-examination of the equipment programme, as with the force structure, has therefore centred on ensuring that we have the right balance of capabilities for the future requirements we have identified.
140. We do not necessarily want to replace existing equipment on a one for one basis. As already described, the relative priority and the scale of our requirements in particular combat areas is changing. We also need to take into account the way in which the next generation of equipment both individually and, even more, collectively, will offer a new level of battlefield capability.
Major Fighting Equipments
141. We will continue to update our escort and attack submarine fleets with the introduction of the remaining Type 23 frigates and Astute class submarines and by withdrawing older vessels, including our Swiftsure class submarines. We will fit all of our attack submarines to fire Tomahawk cruise missiles to extend our ability to use them for deterrence or coercion. The Horizon air defence frigate will provide the fleet with greatly improved area air defence from early in the new century. The RAF's modernised Nimrod maritime patrol aircraft and the RN's Merlin helicopter will provide a powerful extension of our anti-submarine capability, including in shallower waters, although the reduction in scale of likely operations means that we need no more Merlins than we already have on order.
142. Aircraft carriers and seaborne forces have a wide utility, particularly for power projection and rapid deployment operations. As described in paragraph 115, we plan to replace our three small carriers with two larger carriers from around 2012. Work will now begin to refine our requirement but present thinking suggests that these might be of the order of 30,000-40,000 tonnes and capable of deploying up to 50 aircraft, including helicopters. The introduction of HMS OCEAN, our new helicopter carrier, and HMS BULWARK and HMS ALBION, the two new amphibious landing ships under construction, will give our rapid reaction forces important extra flexibility.
143. New equipment entering service now and in the next few years will greatly improve our ability to conduct the hard hitting, mobile land operations of the future. These include the Army's Challenger 2 main battle tank, the Apache attack helicopter equipped with Longbow radar and Hellfire missiles and a medium range anti-tank guided weapon. Completion of the upgrading of the Jaguar aircraft fleet will provide enhanced battlefield air support until replaced by Eurofighter in this role and from 2001 the RAF will also be equipped with the Brimstone advanced anti-armour missile.
144. For the longer term, we are examining extended range precision munitions for the AS90 self-propelled gun and the MLRS rocket launcher and a replacement for the light gun. These should provide us with ability to attack opposing forces with indirect fire more effectively and at longer ranges. We have also agreed with France and Germany the next stage in the development of the Multi-Role Armoured Vehicle which will provide protection and mobility for our troops on the battlefield.
145. Eurofighter will be equipped with the ASRAAM short range missile entering service very shortly and a beyond visual range air-to-air missile. This will provide Eurofighter with a highly effective air-combat capability well into the next century. For the present, taking into account Eurofighter's effectiveness against manned aircraft and the current stage of development of systems to counter ballistic missiles, we have concluded that we do not need to procure a new ground launched medium or long-range air-defence missile. We will, however, monitor developments in both threat and capability closely, participate in work in NATO and with Allies, and have established a technology development programme to keep this option open should the balance change significantly - for example if a new ballistic missile threat to this country were to emerge. As noted earlier, we are also investing more in protective measures against possible chemical or biological attack against deployed troops.
146. The mid-life upgrade for the Tornado GR4 bomber will provide us with a powerful long range land based air attack capability for many years. This will be enhanced by the introduction of the Storm Shadow stand off missile from 2001. For the longer term, we are continuing studies for a replacement offensive air system. In addition to fast jet aircraft, we will consider other possible solutions - for example involving stand-off missiles or unmanned aircraft.
147. Strategic and tactical mobility will be vital to the sort of military operations we envisage undertaking in the future. Our tactical capabilities are already being improved by introducing additional support helicopters and replacing our oldest Hercules aircraft by the new C-130J version. As described in Chapter 5, we will meet our requirement for strategic sealift by acquiring four roll-on roll-off container ships, and meet our strategic airlift needs in the short term with four C-17 large aircraft or their equivalent. In the longer term, we need to consider a suitable replacement for our remaining elderly transport aircraft, for which the proposed European Future Large Aircraft is a contender. Bids will be invited to meet the short-term and long-term air transport requirements in parallel competitions. We will also be issuing requests for information for a new tanker aircraft for air-to-air refuelling.
Enabling Capabilities
148. Modern forces depend more than ever on fast, detailed and accurate intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (known as ISTAR) to make the best use of the new generation of fighting equipment and smart munitions. The Review has emphasised (paragraph 81) the importance of investment in this area not only to maintain a qualitative edge in combat but to facilitate the often rapid decision-making needed in complex political circumstances. A range of advanced systems are planned or already entering service including the airborne ground surveillance radar (ASTOR), a battlefield unmanned target acquisition vehicle (PHOENIX), an artillery locating radar (COBRA) and we envisage a new generation of battlefield reconnaissance vehicles (TRACER). We are also planning to replace our ageing survey ships.
149. Improved information and communications systems will be vital to make best use of the vast increase in the volume of strategic and tactical information available to commanders at all levels. The central challenge is to integrate sensors, weapons, platforms and logistics operating in all environments to deliver the desired military capability. A crucial element of this will be the further development of the Joint Command Systems Initiative, including provision of a secure intranet for deployed operations. In the short to medium term, the introduction of the BOWMAN combat radio system will also be an important step. Other planned improvements include an upgrade of our satellite communications, the extension of the Joint Tactical Information Distribution System and improvements in the joint capability of the RN Command Support System.
Future Developments
150. Over the next twenty years, the cumulative effect of these new weapons systems and the accompanying step changes in the intelligence and targeting information available to commanders will radically alter the way in which battles are fought. It is too early to predict precisely all the military implications of these changes and of the opportunities that may arise for opponents to challenge us through unconventional means, exploiting the advances in civil technology. It will, however, be vital that we keep fully abreast of the changes as they occur. We will need to ensure that our forces' equipment remains of the highest standard - the improvements which we plan in our acquisition process (described in Chapter 8) will play an important part in this. In the longer term, we will also need to consider in the light of operational experience how to adjust the balance of investment between weapons, platforms and other systems, and adapt our force structure, to get the most out of the advanced capabilities that will become available.
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