'We have to make sure that we are properly bombed up', Defence Secretary says

The Defence Secretary has said there are always "choices and trade-offs" after the Defence Command Paper Refresh (DCP23) was published by the Government.

The DCP23 outlines the investment in stockpiles and a Global Response Force, to keep the UK "on track to act as a global heavyweight both now and in the future", according to the Ministry of Defence (MOD).

Ben Wallace told Forces News "as the adversaries change, you have to change", with the DCP23 outlining plans to invest £2.5bn to improve the UK military's warfighting readiness.

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"First and foremost, we have to make sure that we are properly bombed up, that our Armed Forces have the ammunition around," he said.

"Secondly it's to progress the big reform items, Type 26, Type 31 ships, for example. Making sure they stay within budget and they meet timescales.

"That's really important because, if we don't, we run on, at very high expense, old platforms – that's what happens. So we have to make sure we deliver on those big platforms. 

"Bringing Ajax in, yes, it's had its issues, hasn't cost the taxpayer any more money, but they are now coming in and I'm confident that even by 2025, you'll probably have an operational squadron in Estonia by that stage.

"So we are getting there. We're going to deliver on those. 

"But at the same time we've got to make sure where we have gaps in our inventory – electronic warfare, signals intelligence, where we need to modernise – we need to be out front."

The MOD said science and technology would be prioritised to "ensure we have a force greater than the sum of our parts".

Mr Wallace added he has "always tried to inject some honesty about what you get for your money and I think that is important".

"That also means being honest to Government, to say, 'look, make sure your appetite matches your chequebook'," he said.

"There's no point volunteering Armed Forces around the world on our behalf if we're not properly equipping them."