An Anglo-French defence pact could counter budget cuts

Sir, With looming defence budget cuts, are we yet seeing past the fixation on the Afghanistan mission and the fixation on big-ticket acquisitions, and a failure to educate the taxpayer on the defence industry’s contribution and economic impact?

Programmes that are unaffordable need to be cut, but decisions made based on a holistic approach to the UK’s security, defence and industry for years to come.

If the money is not there now, where will the money come to pay for the loss of employment, skills, technology leadership and market presence? This alone is a critical threat to the UK, beyond terrorism and access to natural resources.

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