Malcolm Chalmers the deputy-director general of RUSI ( Royal United Services Institute) had warned that postponing the Comprehensive Spending Review would be “especially costly” for the Integrated Review “as key decisions on long-term defence priorities may now have to wait until a full CSR". He added: “Meanwhile the world of external threats, force development and contractual obligations will not standstill. The pressure on the defence programme remain relentless, driven by the increased importance attached to major power competition and by the government’s commitments to play a more active military role."