British Army could be slashed to just 50,000 troops – its smallest number in 250 years

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The British Army could be reduced to just 50,000 soldiers – its smallest size in 250 years – a report has warned.

Troop numbers are already being slashed from 102,000 to 82,000, but a report from the Royal United Services Institute suggests this number could be cut yet again by a further 30,000.

The report says the cuts could be made after the election as part of a continuing austerity drive and because of a lack of commitment from any of the major parties to protect defence spending.

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Lord Dannatt, the former head of the Army, said Britain’s ‘operational readiness’ could be damaged.

He said: “We do not need a huge army but we certainly need an army that enables us to secure our homeland and our international interests.”

Full article: British Army could be slashed to just 50,000 troops – its smallest number in 250 years (Mirror)

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