Airstrip One

Due to the insurgency in Iraq, forecasts of British commitment in the southern sector have extended from 2006 to 2008. The poor quality of Iraqi security forces has contributed to this:

THOUSANDS of British troops will have to remain in Iraq until at least 2008 - two years later than the government intended, The Scotsman has learned.

Senior military sources say the army has been told to plan to keep a brigade-sized garrison of more than 7,000 troops in Iraq for four more years or more.

The planned extension in deployment has been prompted by the continuing Iraqi insurgency and the inability of local security forces to control the country without US and British troops.

Two days later, the British announced further reforms that would reduce the number of active members of the armed forces. The Conservatives have identified that reductions in infantry units, armoured units, surface ships and the RAF extend the 'overstretch' to very dangerous proportions. Whilst reforms may be required to adapt to changes in warfare, a reduction in the number of troops whilst fighting in Iraq looks foolhardy. Hoon was on hand to provide blather whilst Jackson was supportive, as he would have to be for his political masters:

The changes, which are designed to leave an army of 102,000 men and women, will not lead to cost cuts if, as intended, better equipment is more widely used and soldiers are paid more for their skills in much-needed areas such as communications and intelligence-gathering.

Given the current equipment and procurement scandals, New Labour have just cut the effectiveness of our armed forces. Like NASA, they will find out "faster, better, cheaper" does not work.