What defence and security forces will Scotland need?

Security in an Independent Scotland

Stephen Richard — Thu, 28 Oct 2021 14:42:14 +0000

Security in an Independent Scotland Stephen Richard Thu, 10/28/2021 - 15:42

Author or Creator

Common Weal

How do we ensure national security in an independent Scotland?

Is Scotland going to be safe after independence?

Every country in the world faces potential threats to domestic security and an independent Scotland will be no different. It is important that Scotland is properly prepared to deal with those threats if they arise and so an effective national security plan should be established during the transition period.

So what are the threats and how do we deal with them?

The biggest threats to national security are not military threats. Cyber attacks are much, much more likely than military attacks and so cyber security is a priority. The threat from criminal activity or terrorism (both domestic and international) is also significantly greater than the military threat. And potentially greatest among them all is the threat of serious damage to key national infrastructure from climate change and environmental crisis. Of course Scotland must be able to defend its borders but the threat of a direct territorial threat is minimal. From there it is a matter of the choices of governments subsequently elected, but it seems unlikely that Scotland will want to develop an aggressive offensive military position like that of the UK, meaning direct military operations overseas would be limited to participating in UN peacekeeping initiatives. A strategy for each is needed.

How do we deal with cyber security, crime and terrorism?

These are primarily criminal issues and should be the remit of a Scottish Security and Intelligence Agency, which would be located in the police service. This would be the primary means of monitoring organised crime, cyber attacks and, working closely with the Borders and Customs Agency, incursions into Scotland's territory (such as smuggling). It would have units dealing with all the different forms of intelligence-gathering but would be under civilian oversight. It would immediately seek to develop positive sharing relationships with the intelligence agencies of other countries. It would also house a National Cyber Security Agency, a specialist body dealing with cyber crime, including cyber attacks from foreign governments.

If the intelligence agency is monitoring threats, how do we counter them?

Much of the threat is from organised crime or is in the form of other illegal activity. The Scottish Security and Intelligence Agency would be housed in the police service and it would be a police matter to intervene and enforce in most occasions. Where the activity is offshore it would be the Borders and Customs agency, properly equipped with intercept ships, which would take action. Political decisions and strategy would be made in a Department of National Security and it would all be overseen by a National Security Committee of the Scottish Parliament.

But we'll need armed forces, right?

Yes, a nation has to be able to defend its borders and Scotland will want to be able to contribute to UN peacekeeping initiatives. But that is not the only role an armed forces might have; the other big threat (climate change) can create civil emergencies which may need a response and deploying an army may be a key contributor to that. It is unlikely, however, that Scotland will want to fight offensive wars. This means that defence spending is likely to be significantly lower than the UK. But building up an army is not something you can do overnight – in fact, it is the one major task which cannot be completed within the three-year transition period and will probably take about ten years to build up what would be known as the Scottish Defence Force.

So how do we build an army?

It may be that Scottish service men and women currently serving in the British Armed Forces may want to transfer to a Scottish Defence Force but this certainly can't be taken for granted. These will be quite different services with quite different cultures and Scotland's focus on domestic defence and civilian contributions may not appeal to or be too great a culture shift for those used to the UK's aggressive overseas stance. The UK will have a wide range of military assets but it is also unlikely that Scotland will want to take a pro-rata share of these since, again, they are orientated towards an offensive position. For example, neither aircraft carriers nor fast jets are much use for territorial defence so 'inheriting' them from the UK would have little point. Scotland would be better to recruit and train the personnel and build up tailored military assets for a Scottish Defence Force over time and thereby get the military we actually need. This would be done over ten years using the annual defence budget and much of it could be procured from Scotland.

What about Scotland's defence in the interim?

It is worth repeating that there is no imminent military threat to Scotland's territory. It is also clear that the rest of the UK will not want any foreign powers to make incursions into Scotland's territory – so as part of negotiations a phased transition deal would be sought. Joining Nato would commit Scotland to military spending higher than it would otherwise be likely to commit (and would change Scotland's defensive posture) so should be a political decision for after independence. But Nato has a programme called Partnership for Peace of which countries like Ireland, Sweden and Finland are members and which offers collective defence. This is a non-controversial step that should be taken during the three year transition period.

Keywords

Defence

Scottish Defence Force

Defence and security requirements for an Independent Scotland

Stephen Richard — Wed, 27 Oct 2021 15:35:08 +0000

Defence and security requirements for an Independent Scotland Stephen Richard Wed, 10/27/2021 - 16:35

Author or Creator

Scottish Independence Convention

Cyber security issues are clearly emerging as a priority.

Coastal protection is a high priority for Scotland It has been neglected and requires an increase in off-shore patrol vessels and personnel.

The proposed SDF should be designed for flexibility with a modest core capability that can be adapted to changed circumstances. The SDF's cost will be substantially less than that assigned to Scotland currently by the UK Government.

Nuclear weapons will be a major challenge in transition negotiations.

Keywords

What defence and security forces will Scotland need?

Stephen Richard — Sat, 23 Oct 2021 06:46:17 +0000

What defence and security forces will Scotland need? Stephen Richard Sat, 10/23/2021 - 07:46

Author or Creator

Scottish Independence Convention

Cyber security issues are clearly emerging as a priority.

Coastal protection is a high priority for Scotland It has been neglected and requires an increase in off-shore patrol vessels and personnel.

Nuclear weapons will be a major challenge in transition negotiations.

Keywords

Defence

cyber securtity

security

An independent Scotland is the key to a nuclear weapon free world

Stephen Richard — Mon, 01 Nov 2021 14:33:30 +0000

An independent Scotland is the key to a nuclear weapon free world

Primary Author or Creator

Catherine Robertson

Stephen Richard Mon, 11/01/2021 - 14:33

Additional Author(s) / Creators

Bella Caledonia

Date Published

Fri, 10/29/2021 - 12:00

Category

Defence and Security

Type of Resource

Article

Fast Facts

Scotland can be on the right side of history. We can ensure that these morally bankrupt weapons owned by the UK government are removed and destroyed once and for all.

More details

For decades, the UK government has argued that their possession of nuclear weapons is the norm on the world stage. Nothing could be further from the truth. Since the adoption of the TPNW in 2017, 86 countries have signed it, with most planning to meet in Vienna, Austria in March 2022 for the first Meeting of the States Parties (1MSP). Here, leaders will commit to concrete actions to implement obligations under the Treaty. Scottish representation in Vienna is an irreplaceable opportunity for global disarmament efforts.

The UK is not a signatory to the TPNW. Along with all the other nuclear-armed states, the UK Government has made no agreements to destroy its weapons and shows no intention to do so anytime soon. But Scotland has a significant part to play. The Scottish National Party and the Scottish Greens have both pledged their opposition to nuclear weapons. Parliamentarians’ support for the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Scotland extends beyond membership of these parties. With a new independence referendum on the agenda in Scotland, they have the power to disrupt the UK’s nuclear weapons policies. If Scots vote ‘YES ’to becoming an independent country, Scotland can sign the TPNW. And here’s the kicker: as Article 4.4 of the TPNW states,

“A State Party that has the nuclear weapons of another State on its territory (via stationing, installation or deployment) must ensure that such weapons are removed as soon as possible but not later than a deadline to be determined by the first meeting of States Parties” (Art. 4.4).

When Scotland signs or accedes to the TPNW, all nuclear weapons must be removed from Scotland. The SNP and Greens are committed to this. However, this means far more than shifting nuclear weapons from one place to another. The UK government has nowhere else to store their nuclear arsenal. English and Welsh sites have been deemed inadequate as they do not meet the necessary accessibility and storage criteria. Housing the UK’s nuclear weapons in other armed nations, like the US or France, are financially and politically unacceptable options

Resource Address (URL)

https://bellacaledonia.org.uk/2021/10/29/an-independent-scotland-is-the-key-to-…

Keywords

Nuclear weapons

Trident

After independence

Language English

SCOTLAND'S SECURITY

Stephen Richard — Fri, 01 Oct 2021 11:27:02 +0000

SCOTLAND'S SECURITY

Primary Author or Creator

Isobel Lindsay

Stephen Richard Fri, 10/01/2021 - 12:27

Additional Author(s) / Creators

Scottish Independence Convention

Alternative Published Date

2020

Category

Defence and Security

Type of Resource

Policy Paper

Length (Pages, words, minutes etc...)

8pp

Fast Facts

Cyber security issues are clearly emerging as a priority.

Coastal protection is a high priority for Scotland It has been neglected and requires an increase in off-shore patrol vessels and personnel.

Nuclear weapons will be a major challenge in transition negotiations.

More details

Scottish Independence Convention Transition Paper No. 2

Resource Address (URL)

https://independenceconvention.scot/transitions

Keywords

cyber securtity

Scottish Defence Force

Nuclear weapons

Language English

What would an independent Scotland’s defence and security priorities be?

Stephen Richard — Mon, 27 Sep 2021 10:24:09 +0000

What would an independent Scotland’s defence and security priorities be?

Primary Author or Creator

Colin Fleming

Stephen Richard Mon, 09/27/2021 - 11:24

Additional Author(s) / Creators

Add additional Authors and/or Publisher

Alternative Published Date

2020

Category

Defence and Security

Type of Resource

book

Length (Pages, words, minutes etc...)

9pp

Fast Facts

The questions that would face an independent Scotland in the area of defence and security are political ones, rather than whether Scotland has the long-term capacity to defend its citizens or its immediate strategic neighbourhood. Of course, further analysis of defence capabilities is necessary, such as the need to explore the repositioning of NATO and Scotland’s role outwith its immediate strategic ambit, the impact of removing Trident on the SDF’s transition, and the impact of Brexit on an independent Scotland’s defence alliances and rUK relations.

More details

pp 189-197 in Scotland's New Choice; Independence after Brexit

Resource Address (URL)

https://www.centreonconstitutionalchange.ac.uk/sites/default/files/2021-03/Scot…

Keywords

Scottish Defence Force

security

Brexit

Language English

Towards a Defence & Security strategy for an independent Scotland

Stephen Richard — Sun, 12 Sep 2021 08:17:06 +0000

Towards a Defence & Security strategy for an independent Scotland

Primary Author or Creator

Garry Macdonald

Stephen Richard Sun, 09/12/2021 - 09:17

Additional Author(s) / Creators

Common Weal

Alternative Published Date

December 2017

Category

Scottish government

Defence and Security

Type of Resource

Policy Paper

Fast Facts

This paper is intended to provide an overview of the following aspects of a Scottish Defence & Security Strategy:

• What is meant by ‘Scottish national security’
• What threats it would be required to address
• What framework it would operate under
• How Scottish foreign policy would impact it
• What institutions would implement it

The intent of this paper is not to serve as a finalised strategy but instead to provide a basis for further discussion and development.

More details

― An independent Scotland’s present and future threat environment includes serious organised crime, cybercrime, terrorism, social unrest, coercion by state and non-state actors, military threat from a foreign state and natural or man-made disaster. The current threat is predominantly occupied by non-state actors as opposed to any existential or territorial threat. However a defence & security strategy should account for future risk assessment, without indulging a ‘climate of fear’.

― In the interim period following independence, Scotland should pursue ‘associate membership’ in NATO and the EU, allowing for a more flexible foreign policy while allowing integration in specific areas of mutual interest. This would take the form of joining the ‘partnership for peace’ programme in respect to NATO and the European Free Trade Association in respect to the EU, before considering full membership in the future.

― A framework for an independent Scotland’s Defence & Security Strategy should rest on five pillars: policy coherence (strategic integration across the various policy areas which affect defence and security); regional partnerships (forming strong relationships with like-minded countries, taking account of Scotland’s geopolitical position); a resilience model (ensuring Scottish society as a whole is resilient to shocks); a law enforcement focus (a presumption that law enforcement takes priority over military); and readiness and regeneration (an ability to respond quickly if the military threat landscape changes suddenly).

― A single, integrated Scottish Security & Intelligence Agency should be established, responsible for collecting, analysing and utilising information in support of law enforcement, national security and foreign policy objectives.

― Police Scotland will have to significantly enhance its Organised Crime & Terrorism Unit while its International Assistance Unit would take on increased significance in the context of independence.

― A Scottish Customs Agency would be required to tackle the economic and social impact of illegal trafficking on Scotland, working closely with law enforcement, intelligence and military forces.

Resource Address (URL)

https://commonweal.scot/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Towards-a-Defence-Security-s…

Keywords

Defence

security

Foreign affairs

Scottish Customs Agency

Police

Language English

In Defence of Scotland

Bill — Thu, 01 Jul 2021 12:00:00 +0000

In Defence of Scotland

Primary Author or Creator

Independence Live

Bill Thu, 07/01/2021 - 13:00

Date Published

Sat, 06/19/2021 - 12:00

Category

Constitution

Defence and Security

Type of Resource

YouTube recording of the virtual conference

Fast Facts

Joint production by Gallus Events and Independence Live. A video conference discussing the defence of Scotland.

Contributions from Scottish military veterans. Discussion on what a Scottish defence force would look like, NATO membership, and the Trident missles based on the clyde

More details

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Resource Address (URL)

https://youtu.be/XVhc3I0BPNs

Keywords

Language English