Concepts and Doctrine Archives

‘High Time for Hypersonic Missiles’ – the challenges of fielding hypersonic weapons for UK Defence

Phil ClareSeptember 20, 2022September 15, 2022

by Phil ClareSeptember 20, 2022September 15, 202201739

Introduction In 2019 English Indie artist Sam Fender’s song ‘Hypersonic Missiles’ was voted Hottest Record of the Year by Radio 1 listeners. Sadly, it seems,...

Deleting Warrior saves lives: APCs vs IFVs

Patrick Benham-CrosswellAugust 5, 2022August 2, 2022

by Patrick Benham-CrosswellAugust 5, 2022August 2, 202207407

The recent reorganisations of the procurement budget cancelled the Warrior infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) upgrade. Instead Warrior will be replaced by the wheeled Boxer armoured...

#WavellReviews “The Scientific Way of Warfare – Order and Chaos on the Battlefields of Modernity” by Antoine Bousquet

Phil ClareAugust 4, 2022August 2, 2022

by Phil ClareAugust 4, 2022August 2, 202201827

Bousquet’s belief that militaries are invariably bounded by the limits set by their own institutional frameworks does not bode well...

Concepts and Doctrine Long Read

Dread Cross?

Paul Parker, Andy Haldane and Tim HodgettsJuly 27, 2022July 15, 2022

by Paul Parker, Andy Haldane and Tim HodgettsJuly 27, 2022July 15, 202205205

The invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation has been characterised by attacks on healthcare facilities, and the staff and patients within them. From 24...

What is Transformation

James CookJuly 22, 2022July 15, 2022

by James CookJuly 22, 2022July 15, 202202164

As the British Army looks into Europe, we are no doubt considering our design, purpose, training and equipment. The Integrated Review and the Future Solider...

Leveraging Loitering Munitions

Brennan DeverauxJuly 20, 2022July 15, 2022

by Brennan DeverauxJuly 20, 2022July 15, 202204466

Loitering munitions are changing the character of warfare, but militaries are failing to leverage this emerging technology across echelons. Modern militaries like the United States...

French Army Approaches to High Intensity Warfare in the 21st Century

Michael ShurkinJune 22, 2022June 20, 2022

by Michael ShurkinJune 22, 2022June 20, 2022019834

Since well before Russia’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, the British defense community has been struggling to reach a consensus about the direction the United...

Concepts and Doctrine Long Read Opinion

Is Clausewitz dead? The problem with Centre of Gravity.

Guy EdwardsJune 17, 2022June 16, 2022

by Guy EdwardsJune 17, 2022June 16, 202206298

Underpinning military planning for at least three decades has been Clausewitz’s idea of schwerpunkt. It is taken to mean centre of gravity and has long...

#WavellReviews “Rebel Ideas: The Power of Diverse Thinking” by Matthew Syed

SéanJune 2, 2022May 23, 2022

by SéanJune 2, 2022May 23, 202201383

If the British Army is as serious about cognitive diversity as it claims to be, it almost certainly needs to delve much deeper into what...

Air Concepts and Doctrine Land Opinion

Wars can be won by Evacuations

Christopher HargreavesJune 1, 2022June 1, 2022

by Christopher HargreavesJune 1, 2022June 1, 202203293

In August-September 2021 15,000 eligible Afghans and British nationals were evacuated from Afghanistan under Operation PITTING. With the one-year anniversary of Operation PITTING approaching, and...