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UK forces face operational cuts without more cash, defence chief warns
Sir Richard Knighton said short-term funding gaps could force the armed forces to reduce exercises and operational activity.
- Defence Secretary John Healey and armed forces minister Al Carns resigned last week, claiming the proposed Defence Investment Plan "would reduce the readiness of our Forces and increase the risk to personnel on operations."
- Healey criticized the Treasury proposal, warning that "our adversaries do not follow timetables set by the Treasury" and arguing the funding fell "well short" of the trajectory needed to reach 3.5 per cent.
- Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton warned that British forces must "dial back" training unless funding increases, citing an 88 per cent surge in aviation fuel costs over the past year.
- Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer defended the government's approach at the G7 summit on Tuesday, noting defence spending increased to 2.6 per cent of GDP, while new Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis reviews fund allocation.
- Britain faces pressure to meet 3 per cent GDP spending targets by 2030, with Healey warning the nation must not "fall behind" as NATO allies increase defence investments amid rising geopolitical threats.
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UK military boss says 'operations' will be cut without added defence funding
After the unprecedented resignation of former Defence Secretary John Healey and his deputy in a massive row about military funding, an armed forces head says operations and training will have to be slashed
·London, United Kingdom
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources10
Leaning Left2Leaning Right4Center2Last UpdatedBias Distribution50% Right
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources lean Right
50% Right
L 25%
C 25%
R 50%
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