The Government has unveiled its blueprint for the Armed Forces in the next few years – and the amphibious capability of the Royal Navy occupies a key position in that strategy.

Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon announced the Defence White Paper – Delivering Security in a Changing World – in Parliament yesterday, building on the work of the Strategic Defence Review of 1998 and the subsequent New Chapter (2002).

And the new document argues that there is a strong case for change to “exploit new and emerging technologies”, and to restructure elements of the Armed Forces that are “less able to meet the challenges of the future”.

With specific regards to the maritime environment, there is a greater emphasis on the ability to deploy and support troops from the sea on to the land, securing access to the theatre of operations.

The White Paper acknowledges the fact that the new amphibious ships coming into service over the next two years, together with existing aircraft carriers and helicopter carrier HMS Ocean, offer a “versatile capability for projecting land and air power ashore.”

That ability will be enhanced with the introduction of the two new aircraft carriers and the Joint Combat Aircraft early in the next decade, offering a major improvement in the ability to project air power from the sea, while the Type 45 destroyer will enhance protection of joint and maritime forces engaged in such operations.

However, it is noted that some of the Navy’s “older vessels contribute less well to the pattern of operations” that is envisaged, and that reductions in their numbers will be necessary.

Work is continuing to flesh out the details of the shape of the Navy and other Armed Forces, with changes expected to be announced next year.

? THE uprated Sea King Mk 7 helicopter was one of the major successes in Operation Telic, the war in Iraq, according to a detailed official report into the conflict by the National Audit Office (NAO).

The report, Operation Telic – Lessons for the Future, states that the extensive military exercises in and off the coast of Oman two years ago – Exercise Saif Sareea 2 – proved invaluable in contributing to the swift defeat of Saddam’s regime.

The report looks into the build-up to the war and the four-week fighting campaign and is fulsome in its praise of British servicemen and women and the support provided back home – particularly in view of the deployment of many personnel as emergency cover for striking firefighters.

Operation Telic was deemed “a significant military success”, and the rapid build-up by all three Armed Forces and the deployment to the Gulf – which relied very heavily on the activities of the Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary – were praised, as was the teamwork between the Forces to launch the amphibious assault on the Al Faw peninsula and capture the strategic city of Basra.

Among the lessons to be learned was the need for a greater stockpile of supplies to support major military operations, and the undermanning and shortage of skills in some areas – particularly intelligence, medical services and aircrew – was a cause for note.

But new equipment tested in battle for the first time, notably the Mk7 Airborne Surveillance and Command (ASaC) Sea King, fared well – the NAO said the helicopters from 849 NAS made “a significant contribution” to operations on land, particularly in light of the fatal collision of two of the helicopters over the Gulf early in the conflict.

Despite the accident, the report says Fleet Air Arm personnel continued to play a vital role.

“While the helicopter’s radar is primarily designed to provide early warning radar coverage for the Fleet, its crews quickly realised that the system had the potential to contribute to operations ashore by detecting land vehicles,” the study says.

In the battle for the Al Faw peninsula, the Sea Kings provided detailed target information to Naval and ground forces so they could successful deal with enemy forces.

The upgraded SA80A2 assault rifle proved to be a success for the most part. Although some troops reported problems with the weapon in desert conditions, the NAO said there was now widespread acceptance in the Forces that the improved model was an effective and reliable gun.

The auditors also noted the high level of serviceability of vehicles and aircraft throughout Operation Telic, especially during combat phases – FAA aircrew maintained serviceability rates of more than 60 per cent of Sea King, Lynx and Gazelle helicopters, despite the extreme heat and sand and dust particles in the air.

The Defence White Paper and NAO report can both be viewed in full at www.mod.uk.