A 'good strategic foundation' has been provided by Defence Command Paper Refresh, expert says

A defence industry analyst believes that the Defence Command Paper Refresh (DCP23) does provide a "good strategic foundation" for the three services to go on and build their own offers in the autumn.

Nicholas Drummond, a former British Army Officer, who has worked in the defence industry for 20 years, told Forces News: "A lot of people were expecting more detail than was provided, it is a little bit disappointing in that department."

He added: "However, it does provide a good strategic foundation on which the three services will build their offers in the autumn, and we're expecting the Army to release a future soldier next steps paper, which will provide the detail on force structure and key equipment programmes."

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A focus on people

When asked if he believed there to be any surprises in the DCP23, Mr Drummond said: "I think it strategically is what we expected. What was interesting was the focus on people.

"So there's a big plan to improve the Army's offer to those it wants to attract and retain.

"I think that's a very good thing because that's not just about accommodation but it's also about training and development of the individual, so that the Army becomes a pathway to a career beyond it."

Labour response

Mr Drummond was also asked to respond to Labour's comments on the DCP23 being based on "cost rather than threats', a rather back-to-basics approach.

The former British Army Officer said: "If back-to-basics is back to high-end warfighting, then that's a good thing.

"But I do agree with John Healey (shadow defence secretary) when he says 'it can't just be about cost', it has to be about responding to the threats we face and configuring the Army we need and not the Army we can afford."

Mr Drummond also took to Twitter, to share his thoughts on the Defence Command Paper Refresh, which he called "more of a high-level strategic foundation than a nuts and bolts plan describing how the Armed Forces will be reconfigured".

He highlighted that "there were no details about the budget or specific programmes".

However, he concluded that: "Overall, the DCPR is better structured than the previous one, easier to navigate and understand.

"Its focus and clarity undoubtedly creates a foundation on which to build, while setting clear priorities, but the proof of the pudding will be the detailed outcomes it enables."