Defence Secretary insists all the military chiefs support Defence Investment Plan, but do they?
Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis has insisted that all of the military chiefs support the Defence Investment Plan, or DIP, despite reports that the Chief of the Defence Staff asked for a line saying he backed it to be withdrawn from a speech.
Speaking in the House of Commons, Dr Al Pinkerton, the Liberal Democrat MP, said: "It's been reported online that senior military personnel are deeply unhappy with the DIP, and indeed the Chief of the Defence Staff asked the Secretary of State to remove a line that suggested that he personally backed this plan.
"Will he confirm whether he had to remove that line from his speech today?"
"That isn't correct; all of the chiefs support the DIP," Mr Jarvis replied.
Difficult choices
The Chief of the Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Rich Knighton, published a video explaining what was in the DIP, where he described some of the decisions as being "difficult choices".
"Much of the investment builds on years of hard work and long-standing priorities, including infrastructure, the nuclear deterrent, shipbuilding, army modernisation, combat air, digital capabilities and munitions," ACM Sir Rich said.
"At the same time, the plan accelerates the transformation of the integrative force to address new threats. Through technologies such as drones, artificial intelligence and the digital targeting web.
"Some of these changes have required difficult choices, and I want to acknowledge those who have served with distinction on capabilities that will retire over the coming years.
"My thanks goes to everyone who has helped develop the plan. Our job now is delivery, working across defence reform structures to move faster and more effectively."
From F-35s to GCAP
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Harv Smyth, also released a video saying: "The Defence Investment Plan is a significant milestone, much welcomed by all the chiefs, demonstrating the renewed commitment that our government has made to defence, acknowledging the dangerous and unpredictable world we live in today and the importance of having a strong and capable defence to continue to tear our potential adversaries.
"Ten years ago, our first F-35 Lightning touched down in the UK and the Royal Air Force celebrated becoming Europe's first fifth-generation air force," ACM Sir Harv added.
"The DIP now puts us on a pathway to becoming Europe's first, sixth-generation air force, with the funding to develop our own uncrewed fighter jets, which will operate alongside our Typhoons and Lightnings through the next decade and beyond, paving the way to the arrival of the Global Combat Aircraft Programme."
Atlantic Bastion and Hybrid Navy
Meanwhile, the First Sea Lord, General Sir Gwyn Jenkins, took to social media, writing: "The threats we face are growing rapidly. Many are found at or from the sea. That’s why the DIP is an important moment for the Royal Navy.
"It reinforces the nuclear deterrent and begins funding Atlantic Bastion, the Hybrid Navy, and the capabilities we need to fight and win."
The Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Roly Walker, narrated a video on Instagram.
He said: "We've spent decades preparing for a world where we dominated. But that world is changing fast and not necessarily for the better, and that's why the government's decision to increase defence spending matters.
"If we get this right, if we seize this moment, we will not just keep pace with the new era of warfare. We will set it."
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