Soldiers’ purpose

sir – Increased defence spending is welcome, but Con Coughlin (Comment, March 16) is right that it is unlikely to reverse the decline in our tactical fighting ability.

History teaches – and the war in Ukraine reinforces the fact – that wars are won by the finest soldiers with the highest morale. Investment in Aukus, ammunition stocks and cyberspace, laudable as it is, will not compensate for the fact that all three services are under-manned and under-equipped.

Were the Argentinians to invade the Falklands tomorrow, we would not be able to take them back. Moreover, our soldiers live in sub-standard accommodation and are aware of the pitiful procurement system that provides them with kit that is seldom fit for purpose when it arrives. Soldiers are beginning to wonder if their primary purpose is to prop up the national infrastructure in place of people being paid far more than them and living in nice homes.

We must stop taking the men and women on the front line for granted. Colonel Mark Rayner (retd) Eastbourne, East Sussex