In mid July 2004 the UK Ministry of Defence outlined potential cuts of up to 25 per cent in existing UK combat systems and 20 per cent in UK personnel numbers within four years. The UK believes precision targeting has lowered the need for as many people and platforms, operations further afield require lighter forces...

The Australian Army is in the process of acquiring a new main battle tank (MBT). This acquisition is contrary to the policy announced in the 2000 defence white paper when the government said it had 'decided against the development of heavy armoured forces suitable for contributions to coalition forces in high intensity conflicts'.

Australia is leading a 2200‑person strong mission to restore law and order in the Solomon Islands. While the operational focus is, rightly, on the force's police component, the force also includes 1500 Australian military personnel as well as 300 military personnel from Pacific island states. All but a couple of hundred are logistic support troops...