Coronavirus: Inquiry Launched Into Military's Response To Pandemic

An inquiry has been launched into the Armed Forces' response to the coronavirus pandemic.

The investigation, set up by the Defence Select Committee, will look into how prepared the military was for the crisis, as well as reviewing its effectiveness.

The report will also consider if the pandemic has weakened the Ministry of Defence's (MOD) position to other potential threats.

Military personnel have played a leading role in response to the virus, helping to build field hospitals across the country, delivering personal protective equipment (PPE) to frontline health workers and running more than 90 mobile coronavirus test sites.

Chair of the Defence Select Committee, Tobias Ellwood MP, said it is "vital" to reflect on the military's response during the crisis.

"The one department that plans for times of crisis and contains the personnel who are trained in strategic planning is the Ministry of Defence," the former defence minister said.

"We must understand if all its assets were fully utilised to assist at every level in this enduring crisis and if directing the military’s focus towards the pandemic leaves us vulnerable and erodes our ability to respond to other threats from adversaries."

Mr Ellwood, a former officer in the Royal Green Jackets, said the inquiry must also investigate if the pandemic has allowed adversaries to "further their own avaricious agendas".

During the coronavirus lockdown, there have been cases of British-Russian military tensions.

In March, a total of seven Russian ships were monitored around UK waters by Royal Navy vessels in the space of a week during "unusually high levels of activity".

Two weeks ago, the Chief of the Air Staff condemned Russia after two of its maritime patrol bombers were intercepted by RAF Typhoons off the north-east coast of Scotland.

A statement by the RAF said: “Recent events have increased awareness of Russian military activity."

Meanwhile, the European Union High Representative has urged countries not to cut defence spending amid the coronavirus pandemic.

There are 20,000 military personnel currently on standby as part of the MOD's COVID Support Force.

Cover image: Soldier carries out a coronavirus test in Scarborough (Picture: MOD).