UK Could Fill 'Gap In The Market' To Offer International Military Assistance

British Armed Forces could plug a "gap in the market" by offering international military assistance as America steps back, the new chair of the Defence Select Committee has said.

Tobias Ellwood made the suggestion during the opening session of the committee's first inquiry under his leadership.

The group of MPs is examining the Government's Integrated Security Review which Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said will be the "deepest review of Britain's security, defence and foreign policy since the end of the Cold War".

"It's in our DNA to step forward," Mr Ellwood said.

"We had this debate statement this morning on Turkey and Syria - an awful lot of aid going in there, but no determination, resilience to stand up to aggressive nation states that are just doing their own thing," he added.

"There's a gap in the market with America stepping back and I believe this Integrated Review is that possibility to happen.

"I believe that's our role - to actually advance, publicise the case."

Later in the committee session, one of the witnesses speaking said the Government's review into defence and security should prioritise speed and agility over mass.

Professor Malcolm Chalmers, Deputy Director General of RUSI, told the committee the review will have to make tough decisions on whether to prioritise new technology over conventional warfare.

"The latest buzzword that people are using is 'sunset' and 'sunrise' capabilities," Prof Chalmers said.

"Sunrise - looking to the future, new things which are not currently in the programme.

"On the other hand are the sunset capabilities, which are deemed to be lower priority," he explained.

"On that budgetary assumption, if you want to pay for things that are not currently in the programme, you will have to take something out of equivalent value."

Former defence minister Tobias Ellwood was elected new chair of the defence committee earlier this year and this inquiry was his first since taking the role.

Cover image: Royal Navy.