OUR BROKEN FORCES
Conservative ex-defence ministers say UK is vulnerable
FORMER Tory defence chiefs have accused their own party of bringing Britain’s armed forces to their knees with cuts.
And the ex-ministers demanded a boost in spending as threats from tyrants and terrorists grow.
One, Sir Gerald Howarth, said: “This is no time to be engaging in further defence cutbacks.”
BRITAIN could be left unable to defend itself as Theresa May’s cuts starve the Army, Navy and Air Force of cash, Tory veterans have warned.
Big guns in the PM’s own party have demanded she boost spending on our armed forces to combat the threat of tyrants such as volatile Kim Jong-un.
Four former key MoD figures told of their fears ahead of Philip Hammond’s budget on Wednesday and urged Mrs May to back up her boast of a strong economy by reversing the cuts.
Sir Malcolm Rifkind, Sir Gerald Howarth, Mark Francois and Sir Peter Luff spoke out after General Sir Richard Barrons, former head of Joint Forces Command, warned MPs that defence chiefs look at equipment and training and “know they are not fit for purpose” thanks to budget cuts.
The demands come as experts believe the MoD has to make £20billion of savings to plug black holes.
Former minister Mr Francois, who sits on the Defence Committee, said: “General Barrons made a powerful case for why we should spend more on defence. I believe the international situation, including Russia and North Korea, now justifies an increase.”
Ex-Defence Secretary Sir Malcolm added: “If you want Britain to punch above its weight, which we all believe it should, then you have to provide the resources to deliver that. The economy is doing pretty well and I think there would be public support for some improvement.”
Sir Gerald said: “It’s not just North Korea, the Chinese are basically colonising the South China Sea, with potential risks to our trading operations, we have great uncertainty in Iran where they are seeking to destabilise much of the Middle East and we have Russia doing its level best to disrupt us.
“This is no time for Britain to be engaging in further defence cutbacks, it’s a time to be building up our defences.”
He said the MoD had been put on a “sound footing” due to deficit reduction but added: “It was with the view that as the economy grew we would be putting more money into defence, and that is not happening.” Sir Peter told how sterling’s fall after the EU referendum made equipment purchases from the US, such as F35 Lighting II jets, more expensive. He added: “The Government made commitments to programmes which it hasn’t really got the budget for.” The MoD said last night “In the face of rapidly intensifying threats, we are contributing to the review of national security and looking at how we best spend on defence to protect our country. We are investing in new equipment.”