Britain must ‘reassess’ size of its Armed Forces as Army shrinks to smallest size for 300 years, warns top US official
BRITAIN should “reassess” the size of its Armed Forces a top US official has warned.
Navy chief Carlos Del Toro said “sacrifices have been made” to the Army as it shrinks to its smallest size for 300 years.
His intervention follows warnings Brits could be called up in the event of war with Russia because the Army is too small.
Del Toro said investment in the Royal Navy was also “significantly important” as the fleet prepares to axe four warships leaving with less than 10 frigates for the first time in its history.
Speaking at the RUSI think tank he said: “It is important for the UK to reassess where they are today given the threats that exist today.
“The UK Army has gone through challenges due to the economic strength of the country…sacrifices have been made.
He insisted Britain must decide for itself “whether the Army needs to be strengthened”.
But he added that “given the near term economic threats to the UK and the US, investments in the Navy are significantly important.”
It comes after Army chief General Sir Patrick Sanders warned the public would be called up in the event of war with Russia because the Army is too small.
He called for a credible force of 120,00 including reserves, more than 22,000 over the current fighting strength.