UK Unveils Troop Cut In Defence Modernisation Plans

Military experts in the United States have already expressed alarm at the move, while opposition parties in Britain also voiced concern.

The UK government on Monday unveiled its much-anticipated military modernisation plans, bolstering the country's navy, special forces and global focus while cutting the size of the army. The long-awaited proposals promise new investment in ships, submarines and sailors, as well as robots, drones and cyber warfare, alongside an overhaul of the land-based armed forces structure and numbers. Publishing the 70-page report, titled "Defence in a Competitive Age", Defence Secretary Ben Wallace told lawmakers the government's strategy marked a shift "from mass mobilisation to information age speed, readiness and relevance". "We will ensure defence is threat-focused, modernised and financially sustainable, ready to confront future challenges, seize new opportunities for global Britain," he said, calling it "an honest assessment of what we can do and what we will do".