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Andrew Marsh's avatar

Thank you Patrick for this article.

The parallels with the 1920s and 1930s are astounding - massive under investment, a degree of complacency from Westminster and ultimately no desire to alter course until it was painfully clear there was no option.

There is a huge problem ahead. Years of poor - certainly questionable - purchases have left significant logistic complexity, while the '5 years' types (MPs) swan about trying to do do anything until the next election. Recent events demonstrate once again the bravery of the armed forces, but also there are too few, and the equipment in some parts is a mess.

Will the next Government do anything differently? I hope so.

It's going to take quite a while to fix.

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