British military leader outlines closer engagement with Gulf, Arab, African nations

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Britain's Chief of the Defence Staff General Sir David Richards said in his annual keynote address at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), a leading military think-tank in London, that plans drawn² up this summer would involve the creation of a Tri-service Joint³ Expeditionary Force.

He explained, "Britain's Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) will be capable of projecting power with global effect and influence."

Richards outlined changes to the British military brought on by the Strategic Defence and Security Review in 2010 which heralded⁴ 8 percent cuts over four years from a 37 billion pound (about 60 billion U.S. dollars) annual defence budget.

The British Army is currently set to lose 20,000 soldiers from its 100,000 manpower up to 2020, and Richards said the core of the slimmer army would be three high-readiness manoeuver brigades, and two additional adaptable⁵ brigades to sustain enduring operations and routinely develop partnerships⁶ and knowledge around the world.

Richards explained, "Though more conceptual work is needed, given the importance of the Middle East and clear Prime Ministerial intent, I envisage⁷ two or more adaptable brigades forming close tactical level relationships with particular countries in the Gulf and Jordan, for example, allowing better cooperation with their forces."

The development of these links would raise Britain's capabilities⁸ to support its regional allies as they contained and deterred⁹ threats, said Richards.

The General also singled out Kenya and Uganda for support in their war against terrorism in Somalia, and pointed¹⁰ to Mali and Yemen as areas for concern.

Richards drew on the example of the 2011 war in Libya, where NATO forces were joined by forces from Jordan, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, as a model for future and deeper joint integration¹¹.

Richards also praised the cooperation between British naval¹² forces and Chinese naval forces in combating piracy¹³ in the Indian Ocean and off the African coast.

He said, "In the seas off Somalia we are playing our part in an operation that is controlling the spread of piracy. Alongside navies from around the world, including China, Pakistan, and India, reinforcing the benefit of cooperation."

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