The Ulster Defense Regiment: A strategic analysis

Chesse, Daniel 2024. The Ulster Defense Regiment: A strategic analysis. PhD Thesis, Cardiff University. Item availability restricted.

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Abstract

This thesis explores the Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR) and the strategic reasons underpinning its purpose and existence. The thesis then draws out the lessons of the UDR, and notes how these can be utilised for future Local Defence Forces (LDF’s). The thesis explores the controversies surrounding the UDR, including allegations of collusion and violent misconduct, and determines these to be a matter that has received disproportionate attention in comparison to the current statistical evidence. Many of the UDR’s issues can be connected to poor vetting and training – neither of which were totally within the regiment’s control. The purpose and strategic value of the UDR lay in its ability to conduct basic security drills and measures that allowed “Regular” British troops to be deployed elsewhere, and its ability to occupy and “channel” militant Protestant energies into controlled and legal participation within the security crisis. There are several key lessons for future LDF’s – not least the need to ensure an avenue for legitimate participation in the security crisis for locals, the need for sufficient training and vetting, and the need to adequately resource and support LDF’s.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Date Type:	Completion
Status:	Unpublished
Schools:	Cardiff Law & Politics
Subjects:	J Political Science > JA Political science (General)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR), Local Defence Forces (LDF’s), Military Deviancy, Northern Ireland, Counterinsurgency, British Army
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	3 January 2025
Last Modified:	03 Jan 2025 15:37
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/174969

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