Since the end of the Cold War, Britain's Armed Forces have undertaken a wider range of tasks in support of foreign and security policies. Together with the other States, they increasingly need to be able to assist in preventing or containing international crises, if necessary by reacting rapidly to deal with them.

The Strategic Defence Review (SDR) of July 1998 set out a number of initiatives to reinforce Britain's continuing commitment to international peace and security through international organisations such as the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) and the Western European Union (WEU). The creation of Joint Rapid Reaction Forces, for example will bring together all readily available forces from the Army, Navy and Air Forces, with enhanced transport and support capabilities, to form a pool from which forces with a high degree of mobility and effectiveness can mount a range of a short-notice operations including, conflict-prevention, crisis management and humanitarian activities.

THE MOD UK DEFENCE VISION

The key principles which provide the basis of work for Defence:

- Defending the United Kingdom and its interests
- Strengthening international peace and stability

A FORCE FOR GOOD IN THE WORLD

We achieve this aim by working together on our core task to produce battle-winning people and equipment that are:

- Fit for the challenge of today
- Ready for the tasks of tomorrow
- Capable of building for the future

We have shown we succeed in what we do. We must continue to adapt to a more uncertain world. We will be flexible and creative, harnessing new technologies and ideas to make best use of our resources.

REACHING OUT INTO THE WIDER WORLD

We are major contributors to the business of government and to society as a whole. We will increasingly recognise and manage our contribution.

For the future this means:

- working closely with other Departments, with the private and voluntary sectors in the UK, and with our allies abroad, to integrate the military, diplomatic, economic and social components of crisis resolution

- strengthening our links with the Civil Departments to implement the government’s domestic agenda – making our contribution in the regions, and providing support in civil emergencies

- playing a key role as part of wider society, for example in our contribution to training and skills and to health

- helping the rest of government benefit from making wider use of our skills in project management and delivery

- working in closer partnership with the private sector to deliver value for money

Defence Section
British Embassy, Lisbon