The statement in parliament today by Bob Ainsworth, secretary of state for defence, focuses on enhancements to military capability in Afghanistan and the penalties elsewhere in defence: 22 new Chinooks there, one less RAF base here. While no money is to be cut from the 2010-11 defence budget, it is not being increased as necessary to maintain levels of capability. Most important, the £900m of enhancements for Afghanistan are to be funded from the defence budget, and not from the central reserve – a major change, with serious implications for the longer term.  Read more... (587 words, 1 image, estimated 2:21 mins reading time)

This is a preview of Defence: the cost of Afghanistan. Read the full post (587 words, 1 image, estimated 2:21 mins reading time)