§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they have discussed with the United States the Transformation Strategy currently being pursued by the United States Department of Defence for its forces; and what the implications of the strategy may 2WA be for the forces of United States allies, with particular reference to the implications of the proposal for an Americas Command, made by the National Defense Panel, of December 1997; and [HL1435]
Whether the United States military Transformation Strategy and the anticipated need for allied forces to adopt similar strategies is being taken into account in the Strategic Defence Review; and, if so, what costs are being attached to any such transformation in the light of the United States National Defense Panel's estimate of between 5 and 10 billion dollars annually for funding "a true transformation". [HL1436]
§ Lord GilbertThe Ministry of Defence has a continuing close dialogue with the United States Department of Defense on future strategies and force structures. We place importance on ensuring that British forces can operate effectively alongside United States and other allied forces, and this is a major theme of the Strategic Defence Review. The proposals of the National Defense Panel are a matter for the United States Government. I understand that the Department of Defense is still considering many of the recommendations made by the Defense Panel.