Do the British Even Want An Army Any More?

Although the British Army generates much pride from the British public due to its long

history and great reputation as a fighting force, it seems that the British Government lacks the

same sentiments. The British Army is beset with problems ranging from funding to general manpower.

Two foreign wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are just some of the problems. The troops in Basra basically gave up and let the Shi'ites take over the port and the British contingent in ISAAF is losing badly against the resurgent Taliban in Southern Afghanistan, especially in Helmand province. Equipment which is expected to last 10 years lasts 5 in the environment of those two desert nations, Afghanistan being worse due to its hot summers and sometimes freezing winters. This hampers Britain's very serious manpower problem.

The British army is already understrength and in time of crisis only 1500 troops are battle-ready out of an army of around 170,000 men. A part of this problem is the other two branches - the Navy and Air Force. Not much budgetary funds are left after those two branches take what they need. Especially the navy, the pride of the British Armed forces which is already losing many of its surface ships. The modern British army was clearly not made to fight two wars at the same time.

The fact that the Brits have left Iraq is good, however those 8,000 marines might be shipped off to Afghanistan as part of Mr Obama's 'Surge' there. It's hard to be America's chief ally. You have to stand toe to toe with an economic and military giant. You need transport aircraft, an aircraft carrier, long-range bombers and even nukes. Something that an island nation which only requires a small army and okay navy has trouble supporting. Can't blame them.

However, Britain still wants to be influential. In a world where:

• Russia is more powerful due to its oil and natural gas and has sent jets close to Britain not to mention the invasion of Georgia last August


• Pakistan is having trouble with the Taliban and may need international troops to help patrol its tribal border with Afghanistan


• Iran wants nuclear weaponry and defies international opposition to it


• North Korea does have nukes and wants to build more. Much more and is threatnening Japan, South Korea and Hawaii


• Argentina still wants the Falklands (okay, you got me there. There might not be a war but Britain still has to exercise its sovereignty on tiny islands around the world)

So, it's up to Britain to decide what it wants. Does it just want the Territorial Army? Or does it have to live up to those who came before it and fought in the Plains of Abraham. Troops which help defeat Napoleon. Soldiers who conquered India and Africa while humiliating the Chinese and fending off the Germans during the Second World War. That's probably something the current Labour government cannot decide. I guess nothing beats a political yomp through Whitehall.