The British Army To Drop To Its Lowest Numbers In 250 years

Soldiers of the British Army's 2 Signals Regiment parade marking completion of the unit's eight month Afghanistan tour of duty, in York, northern England May 24, 2013. Reuters/Nigel Roddis

IBTimes: British Army Could Be Slashed To Its Smallest Number In 250 Years By End Of The Decade

Up to 30,000 British army troops could be laid off in coming years, reducing the army’s strength to just 50,000, according to a leading British defense policy think tank. If this happens, the country’s army would be reduced to its lowest numbers since the 1770s, when the U.K. lost its American colonies.

The report, released by the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), reportedly analyzed the budget plans of the main political parties in the U.K., and provided a “pessimistic” and “optimistic” forecast for the country’s military, according to media reports. Malcolm Chalmers, the organization’s director of U.K. defence policy studies, reportedly warned that because no party had so far promised to safeguard the defense budget, the military could face a massive cull during the next parliament.

More News On Reports That The British Army Is going To be Cut To Its Lowest Numbers in 250 Years

British Army could soon be reduced to smallest size for nearly 250 YEARS, report warns -- Express
British Army 'could be reduced to just 50000 troops', defence expert warns -- The Independent
Thousands of soldiers may lose jobs whoever wins election, thinktank warns -- The Guardian
British Army could be cut to just 50000 over next four years, report warns -- The Telegraph
Armed forces face loss of 43000 personnel, think-tank warns -- Financial Times
Defence cuts 'could put up to 30,000 military jobs at risk' -- ITV News
British Army May Shrink to Smallest Number in 250 Years -- Sputnik