The defence review: MK II?

Most of my 2010 predictions did not come to pass; and many of the ones I made a few weeks ago for 2011 might not either. But one seems to have been a good bet. I wrote:  “Liam Fox will come under renewed pressure when it becomes clear that the defence budget cannot afford both aircraft carriers.” OK, so I phrased it provocatively. The Defence Secretary is an able and canny politician and will deal with any pressure that may arise.

But my point stands; namely that the Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) may not the last word, given some of the problems faced by the example the Army. Now the Financial Times is reporting that MoD officials have warned of a possible reopening of the SDSR because the department lacks the funds demanded by the government for 2020. Ministry of Defence planners have warned that further front-line equipment and operations may have to be cut to plug a ￡1bn hole in the finances.