Budget Crisis in the British Military
The British government is seeking a £2 billion cut from the defense budget to cover a severe cash shortage in the state coffers. The MoD fears a wide-scale cut that would leave the military with fewer troops and platforms
Ami Rojkes Dombe
| 27/11/2017
https://twitter.com/RoyalNavy/status/934042808134103045
According to iNews, Tobias Ellwood, the minister responsible for defense personnel and veterans, is concerned about proposed cuts to the Army which would see it lose 12,000 soldiers, leaving its full-time strength at 70,000.
The British Defense Ministry said no decisions had been made and dismissed reports about the options being considered as "pure speculation," the report added.
Speculation about defense cuts has mounted in recent months since the launch of a review led by Theresa May’s national security adviser Mark Sedwill. The administration is reportedly considering cuts in military personnel as well as reducing several naval platforms. The Guardian reports that the Trident nuclear submarine program "is viewed by the MoD as untouchable."
According to the Guardian, "The Cabinet Office review is looking at 12 different strands of UK security including the intelligence services MI5 and MI6 and the surveillance agency GCHQ, as well as the MoD. Against a background of increased terrorist attacks this year, the intelligence agencies appear to be escaping lightly while the armed services take the brunt of the cuts."
The Times adds that the cuts might also include tanks and helicopters. In all, the government looks to save £2 billion ($2.6 billion) out of a £35.3 billion budget.
The British government is seeking a £2 billion cut from the defense budget to cover a severe cash shortage in the state coffers. The MoD fears a wide-scale cut that would leave the military with fewer troops and platforms
https://twitter.com/RoyalNavy/status/934042808134103045
According to iNews, Tobias Ellwood, the minister responsible for defense personnel and veterans, is concerned about proposed cuts to the Army which would see it lose 12,000 soldiers, leaving its full-time strength at 70,000.
The British Defense Ministry said no decisions had been made and dismissed reports about the options being considered as "pure speculation," the report added.
Speculation about defense cuts has mounted in recent months since the launch of a review led by Theresa May’s national security adviser Mark Sedwill. The administration is reportedly considering cuts in military personnel as well as reducing several naval platforms. The Guardian reports that the Trident nuclear submarine program "is viewed by the MoD as untouchable."
According to the Guardian, "The Cabinet Office review is looking at 12 different strands of UK security including the intelligence services MI5 and MI6 and the surveillance agency GCHQ, as well as the MoD. Against a background of increased terrorist attacks this year, the intelligence agencies appear to be escaping lightly while the armed services take the brunt of the cuts."
The Times adds that the cuts might also include tanks and helicopters. In all, the government looks to save £2 billion ($2.6 billion) out of a £35.3 billion budget.
