SIR – I have two cats in my house and no mice. I could make a significant saving in food and veterinary bills if I reduced the cat order of battle by 50 per cent, but I suspect that the mice would gain the upper hand, as one cat cannot patrol the house and garden all the time.

The Chancellor and defence planners are “situating the appreciation” as it is known in the Armed Forces – bending the facts to suit what one wishes will happen, rather than anticipating what may happen.

Lt Cdr Ben Bosley RN (retd)

London SE7 SIR – What is the relevance of whether Britain spends 2 per cent of GDP on defence?

Surely, the first and most important duty of any government, especially of a country that has entered two world wars in neartotal unpreparedness, is to ensure the defence of the realm and its vital overseas interests, and fulfilment of any treaty obligations. Whether that costs 2, 5 or 10 per cent of GDP is irrelevant. Only when the safety of the country is ensured can one spend the residue on health, education, overseas aid, membership of the EU and the Royal Opera House.

John Hembry

Brillac, Charente, France SIR – Defence cuts are the only logical course, since our military capabilities were squandered on no-win insurgencies in Afghanistan and Iraq.

A never-ending game of high-tech whack-a-mole with precision bombing and drones is not worthy of more public expenditure. Our defence chiefs had a chance to resign if, in their professional opinion, Afghanistan and Iraq were unwinnable. They have had time to modify their strategy since 9/11.

Ian McKenzie

Lincoln SIR – According to Philip Hammond, the Defence Secretary, we might soon host US nuclear weapons again, as there is thought to be an increased threat from Russia. Yet the Government is intent on continuing to hollow out our conventional forces, which provide the only credible deterrent link to the use of nuclear weapons.

Have we forgotten the lessons of the Cold War?

Cdre Malcolm Williams RN

Chichester, West Sussex SIR –The silent majority turned out to give the Conservatives a majority. We had hopes. They must not let us down on the most fundamental duty of care to our nation.

Robert Fletcher

Broadstone, Dorset SIR – Trooping the Colour was, as usual, a splendid spectacle, but defence cuts could mean that the Queen will soon mark her birthday with more candles than soldiers.

Michael Begg

Muir of Ord, Inverness-shire