Reported delays to Defence Command Paper refresh

In March the Defence Secretary, Ben Wallace, told the House of Commons that there would be an update to the Defence Command Paper in June 2023. 

It was reported at the time that the government would review its target for the size of the army.

Now, further reports from Sky News suggest that there will be a further delay to the publication of the paper. 

Despite some sources saying the delay is just down to logistical reasons, others suggest it is down to the affordability of the plan and tough decisions having to be made about what capabilities will have to be scrapped to make the plan affordable.

When the updated Integrated Review launched three months ago, the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced the UK will increase defence investment by £5bn over the next two years.

The short-term funding is around half of what the Defence Secretary Ben Wallace had reportedly called for as military budgets are squeezed by the impact of Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine and high inflation, although officials said he was "delighted" with the settlement.

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The £5bn is to be split, with £1.98bn provided this year and £2.97bn next year for defence. 

£3bn will be invested across the defence nuclear enterprise, which includes constructing industrial infrastructure and enhancing support to in-service submarines, as well as supporting the delivery of Aukus. 

The remaining £1.9bn will be used to replenish stockpiles to replace military aid donated to Ukraine, as well as invest in the UK's munitions infrastructure.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence said: "We will set out the future vision and priorities for our Armed Forces in the coming weeks through our updated Defence Command Paper."