The UK Military Is To Be Cut 20% By 2016

General Richards says that the military will need smart soldiers, not tanks

Put Troop Numbers First, Says General Sir David Richards -- Times Online

The head of the British Army has called for infantry “boots on the ground” to be preserved, at the expense of costly tanks, aircraft and ships, before what are expected to be devastating post-election defence cuts.

General Sir David Richards, Chief of the General Staff, predicted a future in which the military would have to exchange heavy equipment for cheaper, more flexible Forces and greater intelligence-gathering capability.

His words will help to frame the bruising negotiations for funding between the three Services before a Strategic Defence Review this year.

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My Comment: The key paragraph in this report is the following ....

..... a recent assessment by the Royal United Services Institute, a think-tank, predicted a cut of 30,000 servicemen and 20 per cent of ships, aircraft and ground units across all three Services by 2016 ....


Update: Hi-tech defence spending must be slashed for more troops, Army chief warns -- The telegraph