Is the proposed defence alliance between the UK & France a move we all knew was coming with Europe or a European partner(s), coupled with our huge defence cuts? A UK centre is going to develop nuclear testing technology while one in France will carry it out, plus there are plans for a joint army expeditionary force, BUT we have been told it’s not about a European army or about sharing nuclear weapons.
So I thought I would throw a few questions into the mix with our members, (not in any particular order of importance) and hopefully not only hear your answers, but your questions, fears, the feasibility, as this should really open a can of worms amongst our serving and former service personnel?
- Is it a political move to forge a stronger partnership in Europe that we so lack?
- Has the previous administration left our defence budget in this much turmoil we have to share our budgetary costs?
- Will this provide another burden on our military personnel at a time we are fighting such a difficult and costly war in Afghanistan?
- With the 17,000 troop cuts recently announced do we have the service personnel to be a partner in a new expeditionary force?
- Will it be a positive boost for the defence industry?
- Is the Labour party correct in saying “it could reduce our ability to act independently?” (BBC News)
David Cameron stated this “will make us safer as citizens” and save “millions of pounds”, but what will reality bring? …..One thing it MUST not do is create a bigger burden on our already stretched Armed Forces.