It would be a grave mistake not to boost Britain's defence spending now
SIR – The first duty of any government is to ensure the security of the realm and its people.
It is clear that Britain is in a parlous state ('British Army 'too run down' for peacekeeping', report, February 16). This needs to be remedied immediately – not at the point when an aggressor actually does more than just threaten us.
Peter Higgins
West Wickham, Kent
SIR – There is no doubt that we need to invest more in defence, even if it's just to man and operate properly the systems we already possess, and to replenish stockpiles of ammunition.
However, before we do so, the serving and retired generals who tell us that we can't put 10,000 soldiers into operation and sustain this commitment from a pool of 70,000 (report, February 15) need to explain why.
The taxpayer is generally sympathetic to our Armed Forces, but does have a right to know what exactly is going on.
Colonel Mark Rayner (retd)
Eastbourne, East Sussex
SIR – The so-called peace dividend has been squandered.
Now that we should really be spending 5 per cent of GDP on defence, I would urge the following: slash the overseas aid budget; get rid of the freeze on fuel duty; do away with the triple lock for the time being (and I write as a pensioner); and review welfare payments. Then cut back the Civil Service and refuse further public-sector pay rises without reform.
These and many more things can be done to cover increased defence costs. If only we had a government with the guts to do it.
Alan D Collins
Stiffkey, Norfolk
SIR – Is it too much to hope that the Government will realise that boosting defence spending by awarding contracts to private-sector British defence equipment and service providers will also act as a significant contributor to economic growth?
John Bath
Clevedon, Somerset
SIR – I recall being threatened by a Russian general 24 years ago. He pointed out that his missiles in Kaliningrad could easily strike London. That was before the proliferation of ballistic and cruise missiles, and the recent massive increase in drone capability. The images of the missile attacks against Israel last year were a warning.
Sending poorly armed British carriers on a world cruise is mere PR. What we need is our own iron dome to protect these islands, which will require much greater levels of spending. A few unreliable Type 45 destroyers and a handful of Typhoons cannot provide adequate defence.
Gp Capt D R E Evans
Cardiff
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