well the official white paper says:
A budget of 2.5 billion pounds ( 3 billion euro / 4 billion USD )
Defence capabilities at the point of independence
Maritime forces
One naval squadron to secure Scotland's maritime interests and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and contribute to joint capability with partners in Scotland's geographical neighbourhood, consisting of:
•two frigates from the Royal Navy's current fleet
•a command platform for naval operations and development of specialist marine capabilities (from the Royal Navy's current fleet, following adaptation)
•four mine counter measure vessels from the Royal Navy's current fleet
•two offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) to provide security for the 200 nautical mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). However, as the Royal Navy only has four OPVs currently[263], a longer lead time for procurement might be necessary
•four to six patrol boats from the Royal Navy's current fleet, capable of operating in coastal waters, providing fleet protection and also contributing to securing borders
•auxiliary support ships (providing support to vessels on operations), which could be secured on a shared basis initially with the rest of the UK
These arrangements will require around 2,000 regular and at least 200 reserve personnel.
Land forces
An army HQ function and an all-arms brigade, with three infantry/marine units, equipped initially from a negotiated share of current UK assets, and supported by:
•a deployable Brigade HQ
•two light armoured reconnaissance units
•two light artillery units
•one engineer unit deploying a range of equipment for bridging, mine clearance and engineering functions
•one aviation unit operating six helicopters for reconnaissance and liaison
•two communication units
•one transport unit
•one logistics unit
•one medical unit
Special forces, explosives and ordnance disposal teams will bring the total to around 3,500 regular and at least 1,200 reserve personnel.
Air forces
Key elements of air forces in place at independence, equipped initially from a negotiated share of current UK assets, will secure core tasks, principally the ability to police Scotland's airspace, within NATO.
•an Air Force HQ function (with staff embedded within NATO structures)
•Scotland will remain part of NATO's integrated Air Command and Control (AC2) system, initially through agreement with allies to maintain the current arrangements while Scotland establishes and develops our own AC2 personnel and facility within Scotland within five years of independence
•a Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) squadron incorporating a minimum of 12 Typhoon jets based at Lossiemouth
•a tactical air transport squadron, including around six Hercules C130J aircraft, and a helicopter squadron
•flight training through joint arrangements with allies
In total this would require around 2,000 regular personnel and around 300 reserve personnel.
Civilian support
In addition to military capability following a vote for independence, the Scottish Government will establish core government capacity for defence functions, such as strategic planning, oversight and policy functions for defence and security. Given the importance of ongoing shared security interests between Scotland and the rest of the UK, we will ensure a partnership approach during the period of transition to independence.
Following a vote for independence, priorities for the Scottish Government capacity dealing with defence will be planning for the strategic security review to be carried out by the first Scottish Parliament following independence, based on the most recent UK National Risk Assessment and input from Scottish experts and academic institutions.
Defence capabilities five years after independence Further development of Scotland's defence and security capabilities will be decided following the strategic review of security undertaken by the first elected Parliament and government of an independent Scotland.
However the current Scottish Government believes that the following elements should be prioritised for delivery as early as possible in the first five years following independence, building on the forces in place at independence:
Maritime forces
A second naval squadron to contribute to NATO and other operations outside home waters, incorporating the naval command platform, and a further two frigates with tanker and support ship capacity.
Overall the model would involve around 2,400 regular and at least 270 reserve personnel. While most of the personnel would be required by the five year point, this model envisages increases continuing through the first ten years following independence (due to procurement of new Scottish naval vessels).
Land forces
Developing the All Arms brigade's capabilities to include:
•increases to strengths of the three infantry battalions (to a combined total of 1,500 regular and 300 reserve personnel)
•upgrading of the light armour, artillery, aviation and medical units
•increasing the strength of the special forces unit
•increasing the number of personnel deployed to conflict prevention, disarmament and defence diplomacy
Overall, this would entail an increase in numbers, over the years following independence, to around 4,700 regular and at least 1,110 reserve personnel.
Air forces
Increasing the fast jet fleet of Typhoons potentially up to 16 aircraft which would enable Scotland to contribute to alliance operations overseas.
Increasing the Scottish contribution to capabilities for air defence, as part of an integrated system within NATO.
At present, the UK has no maritime patrol aircraft. During this period options for procurement will be taken forward and airborne maritime patrol capability delivered. A detailed specification of requirement will be developed as a priority and final numbers of aircraft required will depend on this. However, the numbers maintained by comparable nations suggests a potential fleet of four.
Development across all of those areas would entail an overall increase in numbers to around 3,250 regular and at least 300 reserve personnel.
Defence capabilities after 10 years
This Government plans that, 10 years after independence, Scotland will have a total of 15,000 regular and 5,000 reserve personnel across land, air and maritime forces.
_________________ Vi coactus
Door geweld gedwongen
Forced by violence
------
Caption signing treaty with England by Johan de Witt
[Working List]
None
|