Anthony Slessor

Rifles vs Ships

Will we still be occupying other peoples' countries in 30 years time? Or will we realize that there are more sophisticated ways, both blunt and subtle, to project power and exert influence internationally (even, and especially, in the ludicrously entitled "War on Terror"), ways which avoid the obsession with holding ground where, at a minimum over the last forty years, 90% of our effort has been, and is, consumed with Force Protection or what most of us understand as self-defence, and ways which will also equip our Forces to deliver their prime mission which is to keep the British people free. In the first instance that has to be achieved on the seas and in the air.

I was a foot soldier but bow to the foresight of the First Sea Lord and Chief of the Air Staff. Anyway, it is our politicians who should have the selfless wisdom, prescience, and judgment to discern the priorities for the future safety of the people and not simply to adjudicate with political compromise over inter-Service squabbles which is what really happens. Fat chance.