East Anglia Reserve Forces & Cadets Association

29 January 2012 - 6 February 2012

The Joint Service HQ have published a presentation "The Week On Op Herrick". To view the presentation, click here. (PPT file) 

To see the progress made in Afghanistan, click here. (PPT file)

January 2012

To read the full document, click here (Word).

Afghanistan

 

Top Lines:

 

British forces are in Afghanistan for one overriding reason: to protect British National Security by helping the Afghans take control of theirs.  This means building up the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) capability so that they can prevent terrorist organisations, including AQ from returning and posing a threat to the UK and our allies around the world,  We do not seek a perfect Afghanistan, but a stable Afghanistan, able to maintain its own security and prevent the return of international terror groups such as AQ.

 

• The Prime Minister is clear that there will not be British troops in a combat role or in the numbers they are now in Afghanistan by 2015. Planning for the redeployment of personnel and equipment from Afghanistan to the UK to meet the 2015 deadline is already well advanced. Recovery or disposal of the significant quantities of materiel currently in theatre will be coordinated with the ANSF and our ISAF allies, maximising value for money and ensuring that any equipment required for future tasks is efficiently returned to the home base.
• However, UK and international support for Afghanistan will not end in 2014. We and our allies will go on having a strong relationship with Afghanistan based on diplomacy, trade, aid and development.  We shall also continue to support the development of the ANSF through training provided by the new officer training academy announced by the Prime Minister during his visit in July.  The bottom line is clear: we do not want to be fighting in Afghanistan a day longer than necessary, and we believe that we have the right strategy to achieve this.

 

Context:

 

The transition of security responsibility from international to Afghan forces is progressing well and on 27 November a statement from President Karzai announced the second tranche of areas to begin transition.  This included Nad-e Ali, which will become the second of the three districts within the UK’s Area of Operation to begin transition, after Lashkar Gah, where British troops formally handed the lead responsibility for security to Afghan Forces on 20 July 2011.  Tranches one and two together will see around 50% of the Afghan population living in transitioned areas.

 

Supporting Lines:

• Following his visit to Afghanistan at the start of July last year, the Prime Minister announced that the UK would withdraw 500 troops by the end of 2012, reducing the UK’s enduring force level to 9,000. This decision took into account the conditions on the ground and military advice and was discussed at the National Security Council.
• It is vital to Britain’s security that AQ, and other terrorist groups, are denied the ability to operate within or return to Afghanistan.  A more stable and secure Afghanistan will help ensure a safer Britain and world.
• We cannot risk a spill over of instability into the wider region, particularly into Pakistan. We are working with Pakistan, a key regional ally, to achieve our shared goals of lasting stability and security within Afghanistan.  Pakistan has made great sacrifices in fighting terrorism and is tackling the terrorist threat within its own territory particularly in the vital border regions. Pakistan has a crucial role to play in the fight against terrorism and in this we assure them of our full support. 
• The UK is part of a UN mandated NATO-led international mission in Afghanistan supported actively by 60 countries, of which 50 are providing troops.  Several Islamic countries are part of the mission.
• UK and NATO allies and partners in Afghanistan are resolved to see the campaign through to a successful conclusion.  The international community has a clear, realistic, and achievable strategy, and a properly resourced campaign plan to deliver it.  At the heart of the strategy is a process of transition from the international community and International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) to the Afghan Government, with the continuing engagement and support of the international community.
• The sustained growth in the Afghan state and the Afghan National Security Forces’ strength, capacity and capability is the driving force of transition, enabling first the transfer of security responsibility to Afghan Forces and subsequently the release of UK and ISAF forces.
• ISAF strategy, endorsed by NATO, involves protecting the civilian population from the insurgents, building up the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) and supporting more effective governance at every level.  The ISAF coalition wants to transfer security responsibility for districts and provinces to Afghan control as soon as they are ready.
• UK troops working alongside other ISAF and Afghan forces continue to make progress by driving out the Taliban and extending the authority and influence of the Afghan Government in Central Helmand.  This is allowing the ANSF, with ISAF support, to protect the population, and the international community to help the Afghans extend governance.  But we must be realistic: Helmand’s security situation remains complex and there will be more tough fighting ahead as we consolidate gains.  
• Since 2001 there have been 395 UK military fatalities in Afghanistan.[1] 267 personnel have been Very Seriously Injured or Wounded, and 277 have been Seriously Injured or Wounded.[2]

 

Key Facts:

• UK commitment:  The enduring UK force level in Afghanistan is currently 9,500, out of a total ISAF force of around 130,000 personnel from 50 troop contributing nations.[3]  Reflecting the continuing progress that is being made in building up the ANSF and in line with President Karzai’s stated aim that the Afghans will have the security lead across the country by the end of 2014 UK troop levels will reduce to 9,000 by the end of 2012.
• Security:  As of 30 November 2011 ANA actual strength was 176,354, against a target of 173,354 and ANP actual strength was 140,596 against an October target of 141,616.[4]

 

OLYMPICS

 

Top Lines:

 

The Olympic and Paralympic Games will be the UK’s main effort in 2012. This is a once in a generation event, and Defence will play a full role in supporting the successful delivery of a safe and secure Games.  Defence will support the Home Office and LOCOG with up to 13,500 personnel who will be providing support with security, both through specialist capabilities and for the efficient running of Olympic sites, as well as ceremonial support and the provision of a small amount of estate.

 

Safety and Security: Defence is providing a range of specialist and non-specialist support to the Police and LOCOG to ensure the delivery of a safe and secure Games.

 

Ceremony: Servicemen and women will therefore be contributing to the many ceremonies and events which are integral to the Games.  

 

Participation: A number of Defence personnel will have the honour of representing the nation as members of Team GB.  The achievements of these men and women are a tribute to their talent and dedication.  Those competing in the Paralympics in particular have displayed outstanding tenacity and commitment.

 

Business as usual: Support to the Games will be an important task for Defence in 2012, but it will not divert us from our core business and main effort.  During the Games, Defence will maintain its commitment to the protection of the UK, to current operations in Afghanistan, and to other standing commitments worldwide, including the ability to respond to the unexpected.

 

Supporting Lines:

• The focus of the Government and everyone involved is to deliver a safe and secure Olympic and Paralympic Games that London, the UK and the world can enjoy.
• The Home Secretary has overall responsibility for the security arrangements of the Games. The Department of Media, Culture and Sport has overall responsibility for the conduct of the Games and is leading on all non-security planning.
• Security has been thoroughly reviewed and we are confident the right plans are in place to deliver a safe and secure 2012 Games.
• The Games should be a peaceful celebration of sporting achievement and cultural celebration; they are not a security event.
• The UK continually hosts major sporting events, state visits and world summits. Often they happen at the same time. The police and emergency services have substantial experience of major events and will bring this to bear.
• Defence is preparing to contribute up to 13,500 personnel over the Games period as a whole in order to support the Police, and other civil and Olympic authorities, in the delivery of a safe and secure Games.

 

Defence Contribution:

• The safety and security operation for the Games remains Police-led.
• This is an unprecedented national effort; Defence is making a significant contribution which has been carefully planned over a long period of time and in close consultation with the police and other civil and Olympics authorities.
• It has been normal practice at recent Olympic Games for military capabilities to be deployed in support of safety and security. This Defence contribution is on a similar scale to that deployed at other recent Games.
• Defence will continue to be able to support current and contingent operations, including in Afghanistan, before, during and after the Olympics.
• The Defence contribution to the Games is built on well practiced arrangements for the provision of Military Aid to the Civil Authorities (MACA).
• Whilst some detail is still subject to more detailed planning can confirm that, we will be supporting the police, and other civil and Olympic authorities, with:
• 5,000 personnel in support of the Police, and other civil authorities, comprising:

1. Additional capacity to Police CT responses, such as provision of helicopters;
2. Explosive ordnance disposal teams, military working dogs and military search capabilities;
3. Royal Navy Support to the Police for maritime security at Weymouth and on the Thames, including HMS OCEAN to be based at Greenwich and HMS BULWARK in Weymouth Bay, providing maritime command and control, accommodation, helicopter and small boat basing, and logistics supply;
4. An unarmed contingency force (of 1,000 personnel) to be held in reserve to provide additional resilience in the event of an Olympic related civil emergency.

• 1,000 personnel providing logistical support;
• RAF and other Service support to the Air Defence Plan include: Typhoon aircraft, forward-based at RAF Northolt, helicopters operating from HMS OCEAN and appropriate Ground Based Air Defence (GBAD) systems;
• Provision of Defence real-estate such as Woolwich Barracks and part of Horse Guards.
• In addition we will be providing:
  •  3500 personnel to support venue security across the Olympic and Paralympics rising to a peak of 7500 for the main Olympic Games;
  • Personnel for Olympic ceremonial events.

 

TRANSFORMING DEFENCE

 

 

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SDSR AND DEFENCE REFORM

 

Top Line:

 

Transforming Defence will deliver the Future Force 2020 structure set out in the Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR), supported by a smaller, capable and flexible department, within the resources available for Defence.  It is our highest priority after operations and the programme is personally overseen by the Secretary of State.

 

Supporting Lines:

 

Transforming the budget – a legacy of affordability

• The Government has committed to bringing down the national deficit by reducing public expenditure.  Defence is not immune from the UK’s general financial situation.  Despite a reduction in Defence spending, the UK expects to continue to be in the top four military spenders in the world and to meet the NATO target of spending 2% of UK GDP on Defence.
• In July 2011, the Chancellor agreed that the MOD may plan on the basis of an uplift in equipment and equipment support expenditure of 1% above inflation in the years beyond the current Spending Review period.  Together with the other changes announced, such as the Basing Review and the Reserves Review, the Department has brought the long-term Defence programme broadly into balance.
• By tackling the imbalance in the Defence programme, the Government has been able to commit to a range of new equipment programmes for which funding had previously not been identified.  

 

Key Facts:

• By 2014/15, the budget will reduce by around 8% in real terms compared to 2010/11.
• The cost of operations is additional to the Defence budget and is met from the Government’s Special Reserve.  In the last financial year, 2010/11, £3.9 billion was spent in support of operations in Afghanistan, Libya and Iraq.
• The cost of nine months of operations in Libya, through to December 2011, is estimated to be £160 million.  The cost of replenishing munitions used in Libya is estimated to be £140 million. This was before the end of operations in October. A new estimate will be announced in early December, it is anticipated that this will be lower than those previously announced.
• Over the next ten years we will be spending over £150 billion on equipment

 

Transforming the front line – Future Force 2020

• In May this year, formal approval to begin the assessment phase for the programme to replace the Vanguard-class submarines was granted, along with the start of a review of alternatives to the Trident system.  Progress has also been made on implementing the new nuclear assurances policy and the reduction in our nuclear weapon stockpile to no more than 180 warheads. 

 

• Maritime environment: the Royal Navy has fully implemented the SDSR force structure changes. We have decommissioned HMS Ark Royal, four type 22, the amphibious landing ship RFA Largs Bay, the tanker RFA Bayleaf and the stores ship RFA Fort George.  We are making good progress with the introduction into service of the new and highly capable Type 45 destroyers, with the Astute class submarine programme, and with the Carrier programme.

 

• Land environment: the SDSR announced that the Army would be rationalising headquarters, converting one operational divisional headquarters to a force preparation role and removing one deployable brigade. The Army is on track to meet its commitments to reduce holdings of Challenger 2 tanks by around 40% and to reduce AS90 vehicles by around 35%.  Progress towards building Future Force 2020 capabilities includes a planned increased in Defence funding between 2015 and 2020, meaning about £1 billion will be spent on 14 new Chinook Helicopters and £1 billion on refurbishment of the Army’s fleet of Warrior vehicles.

 

• In the air environment the Harrier has been withdrawn from service, and the airframes successfully sold to the United States.  Tornado drawdown and Typhoon force growth remain on track.   The new Voyager Future Strategic (transport) and Tanker Aircraft (FSTA will replace the Air to Air Refuelling (AAR) capability and the passenger Air Transport (AT) work currently undertaken by the RAF’s VC-10 and TriStar fleets. The RAF’s Air Transport Force is being rationalised as quickly as possible to consist of only the most modern and capable aircraft types - with A400M joining the RAF’s fleet of seven C17 aircraft and Voyager.  The UK will gradually withdraw legacy fleets such as the C130 Hercules, Tristar, VC10 and existing Comms Fleet Aircraft as soon as new capabilities are introduced.

 

• The Reserves will play a greater role in future.  Following the report of the Future Reserves 2020 Study Commission, around £1.5bn will be invested over the next ten years to meet its immediate recommendations to place the Reserves on a healthy footing.  It will allow a progressive adjustment of the Regular/Reserve balance while maintaining the land forces capability set out in the SDSR.

 

• The three Services have announced redundancy programmes and a first tranche of MOD civil servants have accepted voluntary early release as we reduce by around 22,000 Service personnel and 25,000 civil servants by 2015.  Our civilian workforce has already fallen by almost 10% compared to the SDSR baseline and it is on track to meet the SDSR commitment of a total fall of around 32,000 by the year 2020.

 

• The SDSR announced the intention to bring back half of the UK military personnel from Germany by 2015 and the rest by 2020, and to deliver £350 million per year from estate rationalisation, while reflecting reductions in RAF equipment based around the UK.  In July, the Defence Basing Review made clear how these strategic, long term changes would affect the military footprint.  RAF Marham will remain as a base for Tornado GR4 aircraft while RAF Leuchars will become an Army base.  The Typhoon force will grow at RAF Lossiemouth, while Kinloss will become home to Army units. Work in the coming year will develop the detailed plans required to implement these changes.

 

 

 

Equipment and LOGISTIC Support

 

Top Line:

 

Success in Afghanistan is the top priority for Defence and the Government is fully committed to ensuring that the campaign is properly resourced, funded and equipped.

 

Supporting Lines:

 

• Significant improvements have been made in the equipment provided to UK Armed Forces on operations.  Operational Commanders have a wide range of helicopters, protected vehicles, weapons, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and other key equipments at their disposal.

 

Key Facts:

 

Afghanistan Operations

• Over £5.1 billion has been approved through the Urgent Operational Requirement (UOR) process on equipment to meet emerging threats and requirements for Afghanistan since Operation HERRICK began.

 

Protected Vehicles

• On 25 October 2011, the Prime Minister was joined by the Defence Secretary and the Head of the Army to announce that the Army’s Warrior Infantry Fighting Vehicle will benefit from a £1 billion upgrade.  The Warrior Capability Sustainment Programme (WCSP) will extend the vehicles’ service life to beyond 2040, ensuring that Warrior will continue to play an essential role in the future conduct of land operations.  The upgrade programme includes an enhanced turret incorporating a 40mm cannon, fire on the move capability, electronic upgrades to support digital systems, and improved protection.  This follows the fielding of the Warrior Theatre Entry Standard (Herrick) in June 2011, worth a total of around £40M.
• In September 2011, MOD announced that the enhanced CVRT2 - Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked) - fleet is now operational on the front line in Afghanistan.
• Deliveries of Protected Mobility Vehicles to Afghanistan continue.  Over £2 billion for more than 2,000 new Protected Mobility Vehicles has been approved since 2006, including the recently announced contract to buy 100 more next generation Light Protected Patrol Vehicle (Foxhound).  The first vehicles are being delivered for training and deployment to Afghanistan should commence in early 2012.

 

 

 

 

Counter- IED (C-IED)

• In June 2010, the Talisman Counter-IED system was unveiled.  Bought as a UOR, worth more than £180 million, it comprises a combination of vehicles providing an effective route proving and clearance capability.

 

Personal Protection

• In July 2011, deliveries of the third and final tier of the multi-tiered pelvic protection system for troops in Afghanistan began.  The three-tiered system of clothing and armour helps mitigate the effects of IED blasts.