Letters: Loss of capability in new model army

But they surely know the famous historic names of the Scottish Regiments.

Your front page headline, “Scottish regiments to merge as defence cuts bite” (10 May), will have sent a ripple of anxiety across the country, and some confusion.

In 2005, there were six Scottish Regiments, now there is only one – the Royal Regiment of Scotland – consisting of five regular battalions and two Territorial Army battalions. The regiment was formed in 2006 and, uniquely, the antecedent regimental names were placed in front of the battalion number, such as the Argyll and Sutherland Highlander, 5th Battalion the Royal Regiment of Scotland.

In my view, this has served to confuse the public as the Argylls, like the other Scottish regiments, are no longer in the Army List.

It has been the custom in the British Army to include the old names in brackets after the new name. I fully agree with Clive Fairweather, who you quote in your piece, that “the problem is that the issue will be too focused on names; the real issue is a loss of capability and a reduction in the size of our forces”.

I have the greatest admiration for those serving in the Royal Regiment of Scotland today; they are every bit as good as their forebears.

The battalions have served with distinction in Afghanistan. All ranks certainly understand that the regimental spirit is the inspiration on which they depend.

And they are conscious of more than three and a half centuries of unrivalled tradition of service, comradeship, courage and loyalty to the Crown and country of the antecedent regiments whose battle honours are emblazoned on their colours.

(Lt Gen) Sir Robert Richardson

West Road

Haddington, East Lothian

I served in the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders for 25 years.

The strategic defence review is looking at the disbandment of Scottish regiments from the armed forces (your report, 10 May), and it is time that people realised the role of the army has changed.

Warfare is won in the skies and by use of guided missile systems; the infantry and tank regiments are not the mainstay of warfare as they were 30 years ago.

The British Army should be restructured once and for all, removing all the identities and renaming brigades 1st Infantry Brigade, 1st infantry Battalion 1st, 2nd and 3rd Infantry Company. Then in future years we will not have the same problems when we need to downsize our forces.

Everyone speaks about the history regardless of what happens. The history of these fine regiments will still be there for all to see.

It is time for change and the government should move on and not be held to ransom by people living in the past.

The Guards Division should be disbanded to free up more soldiers for operational commitments and for battle readiness.

The guard outside Buckingham Palace should be replaced by Yeoman of the Guard. Yes, pomp and pageantry bring in tourists but when you are thin on the ground for fighting troops why have a battalion sitting guarding a palace?

Generals should look at the strategic battles that need to be won today and how we can support our troops in the front line.

They should also be planning and looking at where the next big threat will come from and ensure we have the capabilities of defending ourselves and supporting our forces anywhere in the world.

Frank Higgins

Al Falah Street

Abu Dhabi