From The Sunday Times
January 17, 2010
Top general calls for new cyber-army
General Sir David Richards, the chief of the general staff, says future wars will require fewer tanks and ships but more high-tech troops
Michael Smith
RECOMMEND?
THE head of the British Army has foreshadowed the biggest change in fighting tactics since the cavalry was phased out in favour of tanks more than 80 years ago.
General Sir David Richards, the chief of the general staff, wants more troops, unmanned spy planes and high-tech cyber-defences to be paid for by slashing the budget for ships and fighter jets.
In an interview with The Sunday Times, Richards said the UKâs armed forces were facing a new âhorse versus tank momentâ to cope with the challenges of modern warfare. The success of insurgents in Iraq and Afghanistan and the emerging threat of cyber-attacks against Britainâs infrastructure made radical change unavoidable. âPeople say Iâm only talking about war with non-state actors,â said Richards. âIâm not. Iâm saying this is how even war between states is more likely to be fought in the future.â
The generalâs views, particularly his call for fewer ships, aircraft and also tanks, may put him on a collision course with other armed forces chiefs. Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope, the head of the navy, recently argued that the focus on Afghanistan risked leaving Britain exposed to other threats
More
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article6991030.ece
January 17, 2010
Top general calls for new cyber-army
General Sir David Richards, the chief of the general staff, says future wars will require fewer tanks and ships but more high-tech troops
Michael Smith
RECOMMEND?
THE head of the British Army has foreshadowed the biggest change in fighting tactics since the cavalry was phased out in favour of tanks more than 80 years ago.
General Sir David Richards, the chief of the general staff, wants more troops, unmanned spy planes and high-tech cyber-defences to be paid for by slashing the budget for ships and fighter jets.
In an interview with The Sunday Times, Richards said the UKâs armed forces were facing a new âhorse versus tank momentâ to cope with the challenges of modern warfare. The success of insurgents in Iraq and Afghanistan and the emerging threat of cyber-attacks against Britainâs infrastructure made radical change unavoidable. âPeople say Iâm only talking about war with non-state actors,â said Richards. âIâm not. Iâm saying this is how even war between states is more likely to be fought in the future.â
The generalâs views, particularly his call for fewer ships, aircraft and also tanks, may put him on a collision course with other armed forces chiefs. Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope, the head of the navy, recently argued that the focus on Afghanistan risked leaving Britain exposed to other threats
More
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article6991030.ece