14.1 |
Military equipment (post-conflict)
represents
the most significant capability shortfall on Operation TELIC Phase
IV and
is likely
to remain an enduring requirement, particularly for asymmetric
warfare.”
“UK forces
lack sufficient ISTAR capability to provide persistence and the
ability
to stream
imagery in real time and cross‑component, over a wide range
of
climatic
conditions … This capability shortfall has been highlighted on all
recent
UK
operations … Some rotary platforms have proved too vulnerable to
ground
attack, and
whilst the covert characteristics of UAVs make them well suited to
the
ISTAR role,
the Phoenix UAV can only operate for half the year in‑theatre due
to
temperature
restrictions.”
921.
The report
highlighted that use of US Predator and “several UORs” to
increase
manned
airborne surveillance capabilities had helped to alleviate the
capability gap.
922.
The Chiefs of
Staff discussed the DOC Report on 22 February.486
923.
The minutes
recorded that “connectivity was key to bridging the ISTAR
capability
gap and
enhancing the overall operational agility”. Lt Gen Fry
had advised that “a
layered
review” had already been undertaken to assess the overall ISTAR
programme.
ACM Bagnall
undertook to arrange an ISTAR update for the Chiefs of
Staff.
924.
The ISTAR
update was provided to the Chiefs of Staff on 22 March, with
two
presentations:
one about the UK’s existing assets and one about the capability gap
and
ISTAR
strategy to 2020.487
925.
The minutes
recorded:
“… it was
emphasised that the ISTAR architecture that had been illustrated
…
represented
a significant step forward in connecting the many previously
stove‑piped
collection
assets into a coherent ISTAR plan. Much work was still required and
three
key
investment decisions were identified:
•
The balance
of investment between ISTAR and other military
capabilities.
•
The
apportionment of investment between collection, data management
and
dissemination
of information.
•
The degree
of overlap required from different ISTAR assets in order to
provide
multi‑source
verification.”
926.
Sir Kevin
Tebbit “highlighted the importance of investment decisions in
EP07
and
emphasised that given the uncertainty surrounding the availability
of resources
in the
future, the ISTAR architecture would need to be sufficiently robust
to develop
incrementally
as resources became available”.
486
Minutes, 22
February 2005, Chiefs of Staff meeting.
487
Minutes, 22
March 2005, Chiefs of Staff meeting.
157