Fury as ex-officer warns ‘shockingly low’ UK Army size risks national security

The size of the British army has dipped below the Government’s target figure of 73,000 for the first time, meaning the nation has fewer soldiers than at any time since the Napoleonic era, Ministry of Defence figures have confirmed.

And one former officer has warned the “shockingly low” number has left the UK vulnerable and well below strength at a time of increasing international tension, not least with the Vladimir Putin’s war on Ukraine.

The government was planning to shrink the number of army personnel from 82,000 to 73,000 by 2025, leaving it at its smallest size in more than 200 years.

However, statistics released by the MoD today showed the total had actually dropped even further, to 72,510, falling month on month as more people leave than sign up.

Lieutenant Colonel Stuart Crawford, who served in the 4th Royal Tank Regiment, told Express.co.uk: “It's shockingly low and the government is now gambling with our national security.

“Most commentators would say that 100,000 regulars is the absolute minimum now that we live in a more volatile world. We couldn't even put an armoured brigade in the field if asked, not in any short order that's for sure.”

He continued: “We have come to this sorry pass because, owing to endemic and continuous underfunding, the armed forces are not regarded increasingly as a good option to make a career.

“Old equipment that should have been replaced years ago, housing in a terrible state, and army recruiting outsourced to a commercial company which can't deliver.

“I'm not surprised the army has shrunk to this size, to be honest, and it's going to take radical action to reverse the trend.”

Looking ahead to the forthcoming general election, he Lt Col Crawford concluded: “Best of luck to Keir Starmer and the Labour party when they take office on July 5 - they're going to need it!”

Tobias Ellwood, the former chairman of Parliament's Defence Committee, told Express.co.uk: "There is no doubt storm clouds are gathering and talk of introducing national service shows how quickly the threat picture is beginning to deteriorate.

"We must therefore retain its capable standing army at its current size as we look to upgrade our defence posture long-term."

In a keynote speech delivered last week at the London Defence Conference, Defence Secretary Grant Shapps warned Britain was a target for “malign activity”.

He added: “In response to this continuing hostility and our more dangerous world, the UK has been at the forefront, backed up by our actions and our resources. We are leading by example.

“Specifically, the government has committed to spend 2.5 percent of GDP on defence by 2030.

“Injecting a £75 billion cash boost into our defence budget over the next six years.”

He added: ”We have increased our support to Ukraine, giving our largest ever gift of military equipment since this war started and it’s starting to arrive.

“We’ve also increased our military aid to £3 billion and we’ve also committed to do that year after year, at the very least until the end of the decade.”