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1974 DEFENCE REVIEW - PRESENTATION BY THE CHIEF OF THE DEFENCE
STAFF TO UNITED STATES AUTHORITIES 12 NOVEMBER 1974
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Introduction
1. As you have heard, the purpose of the Defence Review is to
retain, within the limits of what the UK can afford, a modern
and effective defence structure, consonant with NATO strategy and
with the requirements of our principal ally, the United States.
My aim in this presentation is to define, as we now see them:
the UK's strategic priorities,
its military commitments,
and the resulting force levels.
2. Our assessments are of course open to discussion, but I must
emphasise that the overall financial basis of the Review is not,
and therefore, any enhancement of capability in one area as a
result of our consultations will have to be compensated for by
a reduction in others.
UK Strategic Priorities
3. I don't have to stress to you the value which we place on
the continued effectiveness and cohesion of the NATO Alliance.
is fundamental to the security of the free world and hence to
the security of the United Kingdom. We have therefore examined
all our military commitments against the criterion of what we
consider essential to the integrity of the Alliance and the
security of the UK.
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