Britain eyes slimmer military, less brass
Defence Secretary wants to move away from over-centralisation that has dominated MoD in recent years
London: Britain's defence secretary outlined plans yesterday for a leaner, more de-centralised defence ministry in a drive to slash costs that may also see a cull of senior military staff.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) is conducting a spending review that is expected to usher in a budget cut of up to 20 per cent, part of government plans to reduce a bulging budget deficit and safeguard Britain's ability to borrow cheaply.
Britain is conducting a wide-ranging strategic defence review, looking at its role in the world and what military capabilities it will need to deal with future threats.
"We must get away from the over-centralising tendency that has become the hallmark of the MoD in recent years," Defence Secretary Liam Fox told reporters in a speech. "They [defence officials] will also consider whether the current senior rank structure across the services is appropriate," he added.
Details of where the cuts will fall will be announced in October by the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition.
Budget
The MoD's budget this year is 36.9 billion pounds (Dh2.12 trillion), and Fox said there was a shortfall in defence spending plans of around 37 billion over the next 10 years.
Analysts have suggested that army personnel could fall to 85,000 from around 102,000 currently, or that 30,000 staff could be shed from across the military.
Fox denied media reports that branches of the armed forces, such as the navy and air force, would be merged to cut costs.
He would not be drawn on a spat between the MoD and the Treasury over who should pay up to 20 billion pounds to renew Trident, Britain's submarine-based nuclear missile system. The MoD does not want the cost to come from its regular budget.
Britain's armed forces, especially its ground troops, have been working beyond their intended capacity over the past decade in Afghanistan and Iraq, simultaneously fighting two of the biggest wars Britain has fought since the Second World War.
While in opposition, Fox's Conservative Party accused the then-ruling Labour Party of failing to adequately fund the wars.
Britain has withdrawn from Iraq but still has 9,500 troops in Afghanistan.
