Defence Modernisation Statement House of Lords

The statement is as follows. I

undertook to return to the House at

the earliest possible opportunity to

update honourable members on the

programme to modernise defence.

Which the Ministry of defence will

be conducting in the months ahead.

Following agreement of the

high-level findings of the national

capability review by the national

Security Council, I've agreed with

the Prime Minister and Chancellor

that we should take forward the

recommendation for programme of

further work to modernise defence.

To deliver better military

capability and value for money in a

sustainable and affordable way. This

is essential if defence is to make

its full contribution to national

security. The 2015 national security

strategy, and strategic security

review set out a clear ambition. To

ensure that the Armed Forces can

tackle the threat that we face. It

also propose important new policy

initiatives including a stronger

international approach. Modernise

policies and defence making.

International prosperity. And we're

making real strides to unlock

greater efficiency and productivity.

Protecting the United Kingdom and

our people remains our first

priority. As a threat we face become

more complex and intertwined, we

will need to work ever more closely

with our Nato allies. Which also

need to expect to read actively

involved with the partners in the

Gulf in tackling shared threats to

our security, and the Asia-Pacific

region will become more important to

us in the years ahead. The Ministry

of defence is making a major

contribution to our prosperity as we

procure the equipment, our Armed

Forces to serve and support. Defence

exports at which they're been recent

successes most notably the £6

billion Typhoon contract agreed with

Qatar. Significant events last year,

the terrorist attacks in London and

Manchester, major storms ravage

British dependencies in the

Caribbean are reminders of our wider

responsibilities. Rita contained

threats that have an origin, and be

prepared to react swiftly when

crises arise. This will require the

joint force we're building to be and

agile. We will need to be Gabe

Bullough operating in all five

domains, land, sea, air, space, and

fibre. We'll need be international

by design, routinely exercising and

operating with allies. It would to

be credible and capable of operating

against state and non-state threats.

Normally not alone, but with Nato

allies and other parts. But we must

also be able to act on her own if

and when required. It must be able

to contribute to our national

security at home working with the

police and other national security

organisations. While the major

elements of our plans for joint

force 2025 remained the right ones,

in order to secure competitive

advantage against our adversaries

need to make sure to move quickly to

strengthen our capability in

priority areas. And reduce the

resources we were duped -- reduce

the resources we devote elsewhere.

To ensure we have the policy and

plans to implement our strategy. So

that our investment in national

security capabilities is as joined

up, effective and efficient as

possible. To address current

national security challenges. A

report we published later in the

spring. As my right honourable

friend the Prime Minister said in

her recent banquet speech the

threats, risks, and challenges have

become more complex and intertwined.

And have developed in areas and ways

we probably -- probably expected but

at a much greater pace that was

foreseen. The defence budget is 36

billion this year, this year the

fifth largest defence budget in the

world. And it will increase by £1

billion each year to almost 40

billion by 20 21. The UK remains one

of the few countries to exceed

Nato's 2% spending target. In this

government permitted to continue to

increase the defence budget by at

least .5% above inflation every

year. However we must do more to

ensure that we use our resources

effectively and deliver the

efficiencies the department is

committed to... Be reinvested in the

capabilities we require for our

Armed Forces. It is for these

reasons I have agreed with the Prime

Minister and the Chancellor to

launch the modernising defence

programmes that we can strengthen

and modernise the Armed Forces to

meet the threats that were

identified. Modernising defence

allows to deliver better military

ability for money and is sustainable

and affordable way. It will allow us

to ensure that the defence

capabilities coupled and other

national security... In the most

effective way. I'm determined to

realise this bill for modernized and

more effective joint force. That can

deter threats more effectively, that

ensure that we can deliver what's

required of defence today and

succeeded in any future conflicts.

Turning this approach into reality

will be my key goal for the

modernising defence programme. This

programme will involve four strands

work. First three will optimise how

the MOD is organised and operating.

By defining ways to be more

efficient and productive. And

improve our performance on the

commercial and industrial issues.

The fourth strand will look at the

capabilities that defence requires

to contribute to our free national

security objectives. Today and in

the future. But also most

importantly to understand the

ever-changing threats that this

country faces. I'm determined to use

modern rising to ensure the defence

makes its full contribution to

national security on a sustainable

basis. I will speak to right

honourable members about this

programme of work on a very regular

basis. And I will keep updated as

decisions are made. In the meantime

might the world is becoming more

dangerous place. We cannot afford to

shy way from this reality. Nor can

we take our security for granted.