357 UK Military Training Exercises Axed Since 2003
Ministry of Defence data highlights how, since 2003, over 350 training exercises involving members of the British armed forces have had to be cancelled. The cancellations have come as operations in Iraq and Afghanistan have intensified - pushing the Services to their limit. The majority of the abandoned exercises are, therefore, attributable to the fact that large numbers of personnel are actively engaged in other parts of the world. Others, however, can be linked to efforts to reduce military spending.
The 350 figure can be equated to about 17% of the 1,961 exercises that should have taken place in the period April 2003 to March 2007. The exact number of cancellations is 357.
Politicians in opposition parties allege these figures highlight the effect that the ongoing military demands of Afghanistan and Iraq have had; additionally, how servicemen/women are being posted there without completing the required training.
Liberal Democrats spokesman Nick Harvey described the situation as "a sign of the position of massive overstretch in which our forces find themselves", adding: "At worst, it is evidence of scrimping on training and sending people out unprepared."
Mr Harvey's comments were echoed by Conservative shadow defence spokesman, Liam Fox, who stated: "The lack of training is bound to impact on our capabilities in the future."
The majority of the exercises would have been carried out outside the UK. A minority of the exercises were cancelled by the countries that would have held them. However, the larger number were scrapped in order to permit savings on the MoD's part, or because of "operational commitments".
In 2006, the head of the British Army - General Sir Richard Dannett - highlighted how the concentration of efforts in Afghanistan and Iraq was having a negative effect on training.
According to an MoD spokesman, soldiers bound to serve in either of the two countries are provided with dedicated "deployment training" prior to being sent out there. "Cancellations do not include training that is necessary for personnel to perform effectively on operations", he added.
Source - Armed Forces International's Political Correspondent
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