MODERN warfare is unrecognisable from the battles fought man-to-man during the two world wars.

Going to war in the new millennium is every bit as horrific, yet very different. We live in the computer age when individual human targets can be identified from space and missiles despatched with mind-boggling accuracy across huge distances.

With every new conflict, incredible technological advances have been made, making it necessary for defence strategies to be ever-changing.

With the added complexities brought by the growing threat of international terrorism, yesterday's announcement by Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon about a sweeping shake-up of the armed forces was inevitable.

With the North-East and North Yorkshire playing such a key role in the country's defences, the review is bound to have a significant impact on this region, although the details are as yet unknown.

While Mr Hoon remains reticent about the consequences for manpower, no one should be in any doubt that a greater emphasis on technology will lead to personnel cuts.

In making those cuts, the Government has to strike an extremely difficult balance that does not leave Britain exposed, nor undermine the many peacekeeping roles the country will surely be given in the years ahead.

At a time when the Chancellor is having to borrow £37bn to keep the country's schools, hospitals and public transport systems going, cost effectiveness has to be a central part of the equation.

But in striving to create this ultra-modern, multi-flexible, highly efficient, rapid response approach to defence, the Government should pay very close attention to the National Audit Office report which coincided with Mr Hoon's white paper yesterday.

The report paints a chaotic picture of inadequate equipment and delays in getting essential kit to frontline troops serving in Iraq.

Of course we must prepare our armed forces for an increasingly high-tech future. But let's get the basics sorted out first.