Lords to question former US Army General and experts on defence spending as defence inquiry continues
Monday 11 July 2022
As part of its ongoing inquiry looking at the UK’s defence aspirations and capability in relation to the Integrated Review and Defence Command Paper, the House of Lords International Relations and Defence Committee will hold two evidence sessions this week including hearing from a former United States Army Lt. General on the US global defence commitments in Europe and Asia. The Committee will also hear from experts on defence spending and defence procurement programmes.
The sessions will start at 10.30am on Wednesday 13 July and will be available to watch live or on demand on Parliament TV or attend in person in Committee Room 4, Palace of Westminster.
Giving evidence will be:
10.30am
- Professor Matthew Uttley, Professor of Defence Studies, King's College, London; and
- Professor John Louth, Director of Defence, Industries and Society research, Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) - 2011-2019.
11.30am
- Lt Gen (retired) Ben Hodges, Commanding General, United States Army Europe (2014-17).
Questions will include:
- The last six months have seen the US re-committing resources to European defence as a counter to Russian aggression. Yet since the early days of the Obama Administration, Washington has been attempting a ‘pivot’ to balance rising Chinese power in Asia. Can the US fulfil all of its commitments in these two regions – as well as others – simultaneously? How should Washington prioritise its global commitments? And given such prioritisation, what should Americans expect allies like Britain to do for themselves?
- How would you define threats falling below the threshold of war? What defence and security capabilities will be required to respond effectively to these challenges? Is NATO in general – and the UK in particular – well placed to develop and deploy these capabilities?
- How can the UK and allies – particularly the US, but also key partners in Europe and Asia – best ensure that threats remain ‘sub-threshold’, rather than escalating into violent conflict? What are the key risks and pathways for escalation from ‘sub-threshold’ hostility to open warfare?
- How can the UK’s limited defence spending deliver optimal strategic effect? Are there areas where spending can deliver outsized gains and/or others that could be prudently reduced?
- What is your assessment of the Government’s defence procurement policy so far? Does it need to be reformed, as per this Bill, and if so, why? Is the Procurement Bill adequately addressing current and future challenges?
