Britain has pledged to increase defense spending for what seems like a global role.
Is this the start of a renewed British "off-shore" strategy of securing Britain?
Britain pledged to end the “era of retreat” by announcing a major increase in military spending, despite the coronavirus crisis pummelling the economy, as it seeks to define its post-Brexit role on the world stage. ...
Britain was the main battlefield ally of the United States in Iraq and Afghanistan, and alongside France the principal military power in the EU. But its 2016 vote to leave the European Union has made its global role uncertain at a time when China is rising and President Donald Trump has cast doubt on U.S. support for traditional allies.
That last paragraph was under the heading "NEW GLOBAL ROLE". So I'm drawing conclusions on thin evidence.
I recently speculated, based on the apparent downgrading of tanks in the British army, on whether Britain was going to seek an off-shore role globally rather than being able to engage in significant sustained land combat:
Still, I will say one thing in favor of the British trend despite my NATO-centric judgment. That is, with the proto-imperial European Union seemingly eager to punish Britain for Brexit, perhaps Britain feels it is going back to its historical roots of global trade and avoiding land commitments to the continent. See this piece that reminded me of that. Perhaps 1914 to 1989 was the historical aberration that Britain is now rejecting.
Brexit was really a first step from disengaging from a commitment to large-scale combat on the continent. Although one could say that the Western victory in the Cold War and the withdrawal and elimination of the British Army of the Rhine that stood guard in West Germany in the Cold War telegraphed this trend.
For as much as I have worried about whether Britain's commitment to its two aircraft carriers will starve the rest of the surface fleet, in this global role the carriers make sense.
Despite my worries that financial resources, made worse by the Xi Jinping Flu pandemic, would make it impossible to correct that navy problem, Britain will increase their defense budget, and the British claim their goal is to have the most powerful navy in Europe:
The £16.5 billion investment confirms our order of 8 Type 26 and 5 Type 31 frigates, commits us to the next generation Type 32, and supports the future solid support ships that will supply our Carrier Strike Group....
We will restore Britain’s position as the foremost naval power in Europe. New generations of warships will be built across the UK, from Glasgow and Rosyth, to Belfast, Appledore and Birkenhead.
That certainly addresses my concerns about a top-heavy Royal Navy. And it reinforces the off-shore strategy that seems to be developing.
Here are some details and thoughts on the budget announcement, including the possiblity that one of Britain's carriers will be forward deployed in the Middle East or Southeast Asia. Either puts the British firmly in the Indian Ocean capable of working with India, Australia, and America.
The era of the retreat from the continent may just be a pivot to an advance on being a global power with small but advanced and well trained British expeditionary forces available for power projection missions anywhere, whether with America or alone with local allies who need that expeditionary force assistance.
Interesting.
UPDATE: More on the Type 32 frigate and Royal Navy deployment plans.
