Britain's defence chiefs sound alarm as Armed Forces face more cuts 'at the worst time'

Britain's Armed Forces face devastating cuts “at the worst possible time” as war rages in Europe, defence chiefs have been warned.

Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge said that Russia’s “bellicosity of language… and its industrial war footing” means the UK must be “fully prepared to respond”.

But he said Labour’s refusal to set out a pathway to increasing defence spending to 2.5% of GDP will "inevitably" lead to cuts in troop numbers and equipment.

It will also hamper attempts to replenish Britain’s depleted ammunition stocks, Mr Cartlidge warned, after years of providing military aid to Ukraine.

Vladimir Putin has warned the West will be at war with Russia if Britain and America allow Ukrainian troops to fire Storm Shadow missiles at military targets inside Russia.

And the Middle East is on the brink of an all-out regional war after Israeli forces killed Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut in an airstrike on Friday, and continued their aerial bombardment of Lebanon on Sunday.

Mr Cartlidge told the Daily Express: “Any delay in setting out a pathway to 2.5% is likely to lead to frontline cuts at the worst possible time for our armed forces.

“The threat from Russia - buttressed by Iran, China and North Korea - presents an urgent need to ensure the lethality and survivability of our armed forces is upgraded in the near term.

“As it is, Russia’s bellicosity of language; willingness to suffer vast casualties and incur enormous costs; and its industrial war footing – including an artillery firing ratio versus Ukraine of 3:1 – alongside its support from Iran and North Korea, all points to a need for us to maximise our own national war readiness.

“To deter wars and illegal aggression, we need to show that we are fully prepared to respond.

“My response outlines to the Government where they should focus beyond increasing resources.

“This ranges from replenishing our munitions, which need to be replaced after our generous donations to Ukraine, to research and development – driving our advantage in technological competition.

“Both of these received funding boosts under the Conservatives. Both are now in danger because of this Government’s failure to back its promises with hard cash.”

Troop numbers have been cut to their smallest size since the Napoleonic era as they reduced the British Army by 10,000 to 72,500.

The House of Lords international relations and defence committee warned civilians must be ready to fight because Britain’s military is too small.

Peers warned Britain’s military “lack the mass, resilience, and internal coherence necessary to maintain a deterrent effect and respond effectively to prolonged and high-intensity warfare”.

The report said all evidence it had heard “points to the current size of the British Army being inadequate” and questioned “whether the British Army is prepared to meet the growing threat posed by Russia to European security”.

Labour has stressed the Government will increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP.

But it has refused to set out a timetable, prompting concern Britain’s Armed Forces will not have the firepower it needs to defend the nation.

Mr Cartlidge said: “I want to work with the Government on defence where it is in the national interest, not least on support for Ukraine.

“But I am clear that without a clear plan to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP, our country will be left vulnerable to the growing threats we face around the world.

“Without it, defence cuts will inevitably follow and would come at the worst possible time. Countries around the world are trying to boost their defence capabilities, and it’s vital we do too.”

Tory leadership frontrunner Robert Jenrick said he would prioritise the Royal Navy for a funding boost if he were to become Prime Minister.

And Mr Jenrick said he would slash international aid to give military chiefs more money.

He said: “For a long time now, I've advocated that we take money from our international aid budget and we spend it on our armed forces.

“I think in a world of difficult choices, the best way in which the UK can protect the interests of our own people and play its role in the world is having a properly equipped, properly funded, armed forces, and I would much rather do that than give money on dubious international development projects to parts of the world some of which are richer than parts of our own country.

“If I was choosing to prioritize between our armed forces, I would certainly look to the royal Navy because I'm very worried about the state of the Royal Navy.

“I'm very worried about our nuclear deterrent and the condition that that's in, the need for urgent attention and investment to that. So those are things that I would ultimately prioritise.”

Fewer than half of the Royal Navy’s escort vessels – Type 45 Destroyers and Type 23 Frigates - are currently deployed or immediately deployable.

Only two of out six Type 45 destroyers - HMS Duncan and HMS Dauntless - are currently active, according to the Defence Journal.

Five out of the nine Type 23 frigates are on operations. Both classes of ship are due to be replaced with Type 31 and 26 counterparts.

The Defence Journal said Type 45 availability has increased by 17 per cent, with Type 23 rising by 26 per cent.