The council has focused on defence equipment and procurement in recent meetings, and it was expected to look at the broader picture as the review enters its final stages.

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Even worse are shortfalls in the procurement of equipment needed to conduct tomorrow's, possibly quite different wars.

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In these webs, China has played a huge role, variously serving over the years as a provider of equipment and technology, or a middleman for procurement.

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What that does is enable the scientific adviser to provide advice to the procurement arm of the MOD on how well that equipment operates and what the benefits and limitations of that device are in theatre.

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Newport said said it had "no involvement with the procurement of the 8, 600 laptops or any other associated equipment undertaken by Torfaen in March 2011".

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Increase in procurement will also come from the need to replace and overhaul worn equipment.

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