BAFF

The British Armed Forces Federation (BAFF) has seen off an attempt which continued for more than three years to put it off the road.

The Royal Navy is dangerously weak, risking the "silent principles" of the UK's national security unless the future fleet is restored and adequately sized, according to a new article in the latest Journal of the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI). The article claims that Britain needs at least 10 more frigates, and that ships in the current fleet were nearing the end of their useful life.

BAFF views were in demand after it emerged that former Prime Minister Tony Blair was to donate the advance and profits of his memoirs to The Royal British Legion to help fund the building of the Battle Back Challenge Centre due to open in the West Midlands in 2012. The Federation's Executive Chairman Douglas Young gave a number of TV and radio interviews on 16 and 17 Aug 2010, including an appearance on the BBC News Channel. ABC News reported that:

"The chairman of the British Armed Forces Federation, Douglas Young, says there is some scepticism about Mr Blair's motives. "From what I've seen so far of reactions of serving personnel and people who have been serving in the past few years and perhaps took part in some of Mr Blair's operations, most of the attitude has been fairly cynical, but of course the donation is very welcome," he said.

BAFF Executive Chairman Douglas Young took part in one of the many events across the country to commemorate the 65th anniversary of Victory over Japan Day.

Also attending a VJ Day service was a BAFF member who served in Burma on the Second Chindit Expedition (1944), and is one of the few but highly valued BAFF members who served in the Second World War.

The move is part of efforts to "decentralise" the Ministry of Defence to make it more efficient and effective. He will say that "We need to review all our current practices to ensure that we are using our greatest asset - our people - to the best of their ability."

In further reporting linked to the Strategic Defence and Security Review, The Daily Telegraph says (7 Aug 2010) that ministers and officials plan to scrap large parts of the Armed Forces.

If implemented, the cuts will mean that Britain will almost certainly depart the world stage as a major military power and become what military chiefs call a "medium-scale player".