The British Army’s highest ranking female officer has underscored the need to invest in traditional military hardware, noting that the conflict in Ukraine shows close combat remains a critical element of modern warfare.
Sharon Nesmith, deputy chief of the general staff, said Russia’s invasion of its neighbour and the raging cost-of-living crisis means the UK government is faced with making salient decisions in a “profoundly challenging global fiscal environment”.
During a speech at the International Armoured Vehicles conference in Twickenham, in south-west London on Tuesday, she highlighted the “continued centrality of armoured vehicles to our war-fighting capability”.
Britain last week announced further military support for Kyiv which includes “hundreds more armoured and protective vehicles”.
Lt Gen Nesmith told the audience that Rishi Sunak is “very focused on our collective security” combined with “the need to bolster UK prosperity”.
She said the Prime Minister’s vision “places the UK’s reinvigorated land industry front and centre for investment”.
“Of course, the British Army needs it with 70 per cent of our current land platforms [military vehicles] reaching their out-of-service date in the next 10 years.
“So it’s about spending our money wisely, choosing what we decide to invest in and, importantly, what we choose not to invest it, and when.”
Those who may question the relevance of such equipment in the 21st century should look to Ukraine for proof, she said.
Protected mobility vehicles make up a large proportion of the British Army’s land equipment, followed by armoured fighting vehicles (AFV) and armoured personnel carriers (APC).
The Bulldog (APC) and Warrior (AFV) are the most common types of combat equipment land platforms in the armed forces.
“The war in Ukraine has reminded us of the utility of land power,” she said. “It takes an army to hold and regain territory and defend the people who live there. It takes an army to deter.”
“Of course, new technologies present opportunities for significant advantage, but the modern battlefield is still characterised by visceral close combat that must be won decisively, and where a moral imperative and collective endurance all matter,” she added.
“Ukraine continues to demonstrate that armoured vehicles, although not without risk, underwrite mobility, survivability and lethality in the close battles of modern warfare, contributing to combat credibility and deterrence, offering politicians significant choice.
“No existing capability can match the tactical utility nor strategic influence of armoured forces, regardless of what YouTube may tell us.”
President Vladimir Putin’s war on Ukraine has shone a light on the stark truth “that if you want to avert conflict, in effect to deter, you'd better be prepared to fight,” she said.
Lt Gen Nesmith became the first woman to hold the role of deputy chief of the general staff when she was appointed last August.
At the time, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said the mother-of-two would bring her “extensive experience and new ideas to drive the Army’s transformation and deal with emerging threats across the world.”
Drones and weapons supplied to Ukraine — in pictures
The four-day International Armoured Vehicles event in Twickenham opened on Monday with dozens of protesters gathered nearby.
Supporters of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign were among those holding banners outside Twickenham Stadium on Monday, as they criticised the venue for offering a platform for weapons manufacturers.
RESULTS
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,600m
Winner: Raghida, Szczepan Mazur (jockey), Ibrahim Al Hadhrami (trainer)
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,600m
Winner: AF Alareeq, Connor Beasley, Ahmed Al Mehairbi
6pm: Arabian Triple Crown Round-2 Group 3 (PA) Dh300,000 2,200m
Winner: Basmah, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel
6.30pm: Liwa Oasis Group 2 (PA) Dh300,000 1,400m
Winner: AF Alwajel, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 1,600m
Winner: SS Jalmod, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
7.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 1,600m
Winner: Trolius, Ryan Powell, Simon Crisford
KEY%20DATES%20IN%20AMAZON'S%20HISTORY
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Tom Fletcher on 'soft power'
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
'Avengers: Infinity War'
Dir: The Russo Brothers
Starring: Chris Evans, Chris Pratt, Tom Holland, Robert Downey Junior, Scarlett Johansson, Elizabeth Olsen
Four stars
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
RESULT
Uruguay 3 Russia 0
Uruguay: Suárez (10'), Cheryshev (23' og), Cavani (90')
Russia: Smolnikov (Red card: 36')
Man of the match: Diego Godin (Uruguay)
RESULT
Shabab Al Ahli Dubai 0 Al Ain 6
Al Ain: Caio (5', 73'), El Shahat (10'), Berg (65'), Khalil (83'), Al Ahbabi (90' 2)
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The advice provided in our columns does not constitute legal advice and is provided for information only. Readers are encouraged to seek independent legal advice.
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
Honeymoonish
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If you go...
Etihad flies daily from Abu Dhabi to Zurich, with fares starting from Dh2,807 return. Frequent high speed trains between Zurich and Vienna make stops at St. Anton.
