Is part of the problem with defence in the UK that we talk too much about spending as a % of GDP rather than about what capabilities we should obtain? To me it seems far more sensible that we would commit to being able to field X number of tanks/fighters/artillery systems/infantry battalions/drones and then work out what we need to spend to get there. It seems the current system incentivises creative accounting to make defence spending look bigger than it is rather than to develop genuine combat capability.
I have what’s probably a very disconcerting question. If the UK cannot restore its military capability to project power, should it consider re-negotiating with Argentina the status of the Falkland Islands? It seems possible that in a decade or so Argentina could regain the ability to make a go for them again if their leadership leans heavily into nationalism again. It might be better to get an arrangement of some sort now that might be short of a full turnover than risk an invasion that the UK could no longer counter.
Is manning a tank now one of the most dangerous jobs a soldier can do, after Ukranians demonstrated that a drone or two can destroy tanks with relative ease?
Much is made recently of "the death of the tank", however, do you think Portland Down might play a more prominent role in our defence and offence in the future, and what might that look like?
Based on how the Ukraine war has progressed, it seems like drones have completely changed the way war will be fought in the foreseeable future. For example tanks in particular seem to now be relics of a bygone era also to a large extent artillery. Ukraine, despite not having much of a Navy also used drones to essentially shut down Russia's navy.
How are Western military planners adapting to a future where drones are going to play a major role? Does this mean a lot of existing military hardware and tactics have suddenly become obsolete?
Hi Hamish, - lets say hypothetically a government in the UK becomes "tyrannical" and is clearly siding against the indigenous population and civil war erupts, what has to happen in order for the Army to go against the Govt and side with the indigenous uprising? Just hypothetically obviously.
Is part of the problem with defence in the UK that we talk too much about spending as a % of GDP rather than about what capabilities we should obtain? To me it seems far more sensible that we would commit to being able to field X number of tanks/fighters/artillery systems/infantry battalions/drones and then work out what we need to spend to get there. It seems the current system incentivises creative accounting to make defence spending look bigger than it is rather than to develop genuine combat capability.
I have what’s probably a very disconcerting question. If the UK cannot restore its military capability to project power, should it consider re-negotiating with Argentina the status of the Falkland Islands? It seems possible that in a decade or so Argentina could regain the ability to make a go for them again if their leadership leans heavily into nationalism again. It might be better to get an arrangement of some sort now that might be short of a full turnover than risk an invasion that the UK could no longer counter.
Is manning a tank now one of the most dangerous jobs a soldier can do, after Ukranians demonstrated that a drone or two can destroy tanks with relative ease?
What does the British army lack the most of at the moment? How fast can this change?
Did you meet Bin Laden in Bosnia? It's no secret the US/West happily supported him.
Much is made recently of "the death of the tank", however, do you think Portland Down might play a more prominent role in our defence and offence in the future, and what might that look like?
A man which went to hell of Bosnia willingly, my respect.
What parallels does Hamish see, between the ethnic chaos of 90ties Bosnia, and here in the UK today?
Based on how the Ukraine war has progressed, it seems like drones have completely changed the way war will be fought in the foreseeable future. For example tanks in particular seem to now be relics of a bygone era also to a large extent artillery. Ukraine, despite not having much of a Navy also used drones to essentially shut down Russia's navy.
How are Western military planners adapting to a future where drones are going to play a major role? Does this mean a lot of existing military hardware and tactics have suddenly become obsolete?
Hi Hamish, - lets say hypothetically a government in the UK becomes "tyrannical" and is clearly siding against the indigenous population and civil war erupts, what has to happen in order for the Army to go against the Govt and side with the indigenous uprising? Just hypothetically obviously.