US defence wants a ‘credible’ UK military after voicing concerns over budget cuts
BRITAIN must keep a “credible” military as part of the special relationship with the US, Donald Trump’s defence chief has said.
Jim Mattis called on Gavin Williamson, his new British counterpart, to strengthen transatlantic defence ties, making the relationship “stronger than we inherited it”.
He is the latest US military leader to suggest concern about the prospect of further cuts to Britain’s Armed Forces as the Ministry of Defence wrestles with a black hole of more than £20 billion over the next decade.
Leaked proposals show that chiefs last year considered cutting 11,000 soldiers, more than 1,000 Royal Marines and up to seven frigates to save money as part of a Whitehall security review.
Two months ago, Lt Gen Ben Hodges, who was the commander of the US army in Europe at the time, warned that Britain risked losing its place at Nato’s top table if it continues military cuts.
Mr Mattis met the Defence Secretary at the Pentagon on Thursday to discuss “ways to bolster our defence cooperation as we carry out our responsibility to strengthen the special relationship, turning it over to the next generation stronger than we inherited it”.
Dana White, the chief spokesman for the Pentagon, said after the meeting: “Secretary Mattis emphasised the value of the US-UK special relationship and reaffirmed the importance of credible defence capabilities.”
One diplomatic source said there was alarm in the US at the prospect of its closest military ally shrinking its armed forces.
One US source told The Daily Telegraph: “We get you have got other things like the NHS to spend money on, but so have we.”
“When we see your forces now, you have got some great capability, but how sustainable is that?”