Britain’s navy would possibly has been lowered to a Dad’s Army-style homeland defence pressure.
The head of the British Army General Sir Patrick Sanders has warned underfunding has scuppered its skill to mount abroad campaigns. He stated it’s at risk of turning into a domestically-focused land pressure’ not removed from Captain Mainwaring’s ragtag outfit within the BBC’s hit 70s’ Home Guard comedy starring Arthur Lowe, John Le Mesurier and Ian Lavender.
The Chief of the General Staff stated the Army’s strategic resilience’ was in jeopardy. Last month he urged the nation ought to practice and equip’ a citizen military for a future land battle.
READ MORE: Putin had Navalny killed as ‘mafioso’ was ‘mad with hatred towards rational pursuits’
Check out extra of the newest information tales from the Daily Star.
Now, in a leaked letter addressed to former generals, he stated: “For a while, we now have asset- sweated the navy.
(Image: PA)
“Our strategic resilience is at risk and we might inadvertently reduce ourselves to a smaller, static and domestically focused land force. I am not sure that this is either the Army the nation needs or the one that policymakers want.’’
He fears troop numbers could drop below the existing 76,000 due to the Ministry of Defence’s new housing initiative the New Accommodation Offer which would see properties allocated based on family size.
A petition set up by Army wives calling for a review of the policy has gained more than 16,000 signatures. It warns that retention rates in the forces will suffer if it goes through unchanged.
The Army chief wrote that it presented a risk to the social fabric of the Army. Colonel Richard Kemp, who commanded troops in the Middle East and Northern Ireland, said General Sir Patrick’s letter was concerning in light of the unstable global situation.
“It is very worrying that given the multiple threats from China, Russia and Iran, our Armed Forces have been gutted of the resources required to fight effectively,’’ he said.
Major General Julian Thompson, who commanded Three Commando Brigade in the Falklands, said: “He is true to warn that we would quickly be unable to full our expeditionary or Nato commitments. That is really surprising.’’
(Image: PA)
A Ministry of Defence spokesman stated: “Our Armed Forces are always ready to protect and defend the nation, with more than £50billion being spent on defence this year alone. £41billion is being invested in equipment and support projects over the next 10 years to ensure the Army has the highest quality equipment for the battlefield.
“The Army are main Nato’s Very High Readiness Joint Task Force and in addition offering 40% of the land forces for the alliance’s largest train for the reason that finish of the Cold War.’’
For the newest breaking information and tales from throughout the globe from the Daily Star, join our e-newsletter by clicking right here.