9. Strategy and Defence Planning

Abstract

This chapter examines the politics of strategy and defence planning. It highlights hree principles of defence planning: the ‘good enough’ rule; recognition of the principle that it is legitimate and sensible to accommodate change in continuity and continuity in change; and acceptance of the necessary reality that all defence planning is about politics. The chapter first provides an overview of the interrelationships between strategy, politics, and defence planning before discussing a variety of approaches to defence planning. It also outlines a short-list of principles to guide defence planning, namely: prudent political choices of policy are critically important; defence planners must be clear about their priorities; the defence planning process must be capable of tolerating some error; in order to tolerate past error it is essential for the defence establishment to be adaptable and flexible.