United Kingdom Defence and Security Report Q2 2008

In January the government presented its plans to tighten up its anti terrorism laws, including a proposal to allow suspects to be held for up to 42 days without charge. The plans were outlined by Home Secretary Jacqui Smith, who said she envisaged suspects being held for 42 days, instead of the current upper limit of 28 days, an extension which would give police time to take and test DNA samples. She also defended the increase by saying 'people need to intervene earlier because of the way in which terrorism aims to cause mass casualties with no warning.' As in previous attempts to give police greater power in this area, the government expected to face strong opposition from a variety of sources, including many among its own supporters. Among those ranged against the change were the chief prosecutor and a former chief legal adviser to the government, who argued that there was no evidence that longer periods of detention without charge had helped reduce the level of threat. Analysts calculated that if more than 34 Labour MPs opposed the change, it would be impossible for the government to get it approved in the House of Commons. According to research by The Independent newspaper, at least 38 Labour MPs were ranged against the new legislation, suggesting that it would not prosper. The former Prime Minister, Tony Blair, failed in a 2005 attempt to get detention without charge increased to 90 days.

There are currently no major conventional military threats to the UK. However, the country's fear of an international terrorist attack remains high; before the mid-2007 scare provoked by failed attacks in London and Glasgow, memories remain fixed on July 7 2005, when four bombs were detonated across London's transport system. A similar attack was launched two weeks later but the bombs failed to explode, signalling the organisation's commitment to continue its campaign on British soil.

The defence industry is benefiting from a range of multinational programmes and major procurement projects within the UK. Rationalisation and internationalisation of the industry continue, and the announcement of an agreement over the second tranche of the Eurofighter's Typhoon is good news for the British defence industry and employment levels generally. So too is confirmation of the order for two new 65,000-tonne aircraft carriers, which will be the largest warships ever built in the UK. The MoD also made a large number of procurements during 2006-2007, reflecting the UK's continued commitment to the US-led war on terror. Plans to restructure the defence industry to meet the long-term needs of the armed forces could lead to the UK becoming less sensitive to where platforms and systems are built.

Involvement in multinational programmes is expected to increase UK arms exports over coming years.

These projects should enable UK firms to gain defence contracts for the supply of components, subsystems and structures. Regardless of the strength of the UK defence industry, there are perpetual reports that the British armed forces deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan are inadequately equipped - as such, a significant domestic demand exists should the funds be found.