Y o u a n d t h e R A F
Medals
Our policy on recognition for Service personnel in operational theatres is kept under constant review. Separate recognition for Southern Afghanistan
• The operational chain of command makes recommendations on whether a medal is deserved. It is best qualified to make such an assessment.
• The ferocity of fighting in Southern Afghanistan has been recognised by the high level of operational awards made since our Armed Forces deployed there.
Key Fact o Proposals for any new award are submitted by operational commanders and agreed by the Chiefs of Staff. The case will then be put to the cross-government Committee on the Grant of Honours, Decorations and Medals and, ultimately, to HM The Queen.
Medal for those wounded or killed in action
• Currently Service personnel who are killed in action are recognised by award of the particular medal for that theatre.
• All those who have been killed on duty or as a result of terrorist action since WWII are commemorated on the new national Armed Forces Memorial erected at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire that was dedicated by HM The Queen on12 Oct 07.
Equipment
and Support We have delivered equipment valued at more than £10bn to the Armed Forces in the last three years. We give priority to equipping people on, or training for, operations.
• The Defence Industrial Strategy has set the framework for a better relationship between MOD and industry and underpins all our acquisition activity.
• We accept that there have been procurement mistakes in the past. Developing and producing high quality battle winning equipment at the forefront of technology, for use in demanding operational conditions often years in the future, is not easy. When things go wrong, we acknowledge this and strive to put them right.
Key Facts • Equipment valued at more than £4.5Bn was delivered to the Armed Forces during 2006/07.
• Contracts have been placed for: o A fifth C-17 transport aircraft
o Nine new Nimrod patrol aircraft in addition to the three trials aircraft we already have.
o 28 advanced Hawk training aircraft. • Future plans:
o We have announced our intention to buy a sixth C-17 aircraft.
Policy
Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) / Planning Round 08
Following the CSR the Defence budget in 2008/09 will be around £34bn. This settlement sees the continuation of the longest period of sustained real growth in planned defence spending since the 1980s.
o According to the latest international data, the UK defence budget, in cash terms, is second only to that of the U.S.A.
o The Defence budget has been rising steadily at a rate above inflation since 2000. This is the longest period of sustained real growth in Defence spending for over 30 years.
o Under the CSR, the Government has agreed funding for Defence of £34.0 billion in 2008/9, £35.3 billion in 2009/10 and £36.9 billion in 2010/11.
o Additional provision will continue to be made for the costs of military operations from the Treasury Reserve, currently over £2bn a year.
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Spring 2008 37
Working
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