Keir Starmer faces an incredibly tough choice if he doesn’t hike the defence budget (Image: Getty)
Sir Keir Starmer must choose between slashing 20,000 troops or scrapping Britain’s aircraft carriers if he does not increase defence spending, it has emerged.
Lord Robertson who is leading the Government’s Strategic Defence Review issued the dire warning in a meeting with the Prime Minister, sources have claimed.
Sir Keir’s Government is now under intense pressure to ramp up defence spending to 2.5% as swiftly as possible, amid warnings “Britain cannot afford to gamble with our own security”.
Military chiefs are said to be alarmed by Lord Robertson’s initial findings, with a number of them allegedly clearing their diaries in a bid to resolve the crisis.
Former Defence Secretary Grant Shapps told the Daily Express: “Labour’s dithering on defence is a dereliction of duty that puts Britain’s security at grave risk.
“This government’s so-called Strategic Defence Review has always looked like a smokescreen for delaying the vital commitment to proper defence spending.
“By abandoning my plan to spend 2.5% of GDP on defence, Starmer has created a stark and dangerous choice: slash 20,000 troops or scrap both our aircraft carriers.
“Labour’s failure to act leaves the UK exposed to growing threats and undermines our sovereignty.
“Even Lord Robertson has had to warn Starmer about the catastrophic consequences of inaction.
“Britain cannot afford to gamble with our own security. When we fail to defend our sovereignty, we invite our enemies to exploit our weakness.
“The British public deserves strength and a clear commitment to defend the country, not excuses and delay.”
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Numerous sources told the Daily Express that Lord Robertson a former NATO Secretary General met with the Prime Minister after Defence Secretary John Healey rejected the initial findings of the Strategic Defence Review.
No official recommendations have been made.
But amongst the dire predictions are warnings that failing to bolster defence spending rapidly will lead to Britain’s Armed Forces facing more devastating cuts.
The Prime Minister is said to have been told defence chiefs will have to cut 20,000 troops from the British Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force to balance the books.
Or they could be forced to mothball the Navy’s two aircraft carriers.
Many diplomats are already concerned the British Army does not have enough troops, with military chiefs only able to call upon 72,500 fully trained soldiers.
One European general, who did not want to be named, said previously: “There is a concern about the British Army.
“We see they are facing difficulties regarding their human resources and also the equipment capabilities. The number of soldiers will be reduced in the next coming months.”
Former head of the British Army, General Lord Richard Dannatt, told the Daily Express: “If the choice in the SDR is between the aircraft carriers and 20,000 soldiers, there can only be one responsible decision – sell or mothball both aircraft carriers.
“Our future security is bound up in the security of Europe. We need well-equipped soldiers that bring military utility and not two sea-going white elephants.
“The first duty of government is the security of the state.
“By any honest analysis against the current hostile international security environment, there is a clear case to increase defence expenditure to 3% or 3.5% of GDP. We must not let the history of the late 1930’s repeat itself.”
Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge told the Daily Express: “Because of Labour’s political choices, we are instead staring down the barrel of fewer troops, training programmes and procurement. Currently, the only thing Starmer has for our armed forces is contempt.
“This could not be coming at a worse possible time.
“Threats facing the UK are growing and evolving. War in Europe. Attacks on our values abroad. An unstable Middle East. Yet Starmer seems blind to the global dashboard flashing red.”
The HMS Prince of Wales aircraft carrier is due to lead the strike group to the Indo-Pacific next year and when it does so, its sister ship, the HMS Queen Elizabeth, will undergo a period of maintenance.
But rumours have been circling in Whitehall for weeks that one of them could be scrapped.
Defence Secretary John Healey, appearing before the House of Commons Defence Select Committee, refused to rule out mothballing one of Britain’s two aircraft carriers as a result of the strategic defence review.
As he appeared before the committee with rumours about the fate of one of the two aircraft carriers, committee member Emma Lewell-Buck asked: “Would you be able to put an end to the rumours about our carriers? Are they safe or is one going to be mothballed?”
Mr Healey made it clear that the fate of the two carriers is under consideration in the strategic defence review.
He said: “There are some really important capabilities we have across the board. The strategic defence review is looking across the board at everything.”
He added: “I absolutely don’t want you to take that any part of the program we have got at the moment are in jeopardy. This is a question of scrutiny, not jeopardy.”
Mr Healey last month confirmed the UK will scrap five warships, dozens of military helicopters and a fleet of drones to save £500m money despite growing threats from Russia and a war raging in Europe.
The Defence Secretary claimed the equipment being axed was “outdated” and said the “common sense” decision to retire them was long overdue.
The weapons systems on the chopping block are:
The Royal Navy’s two amphibious assault ships, HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark. They will be taken out of service at the end of the year – around a decade early in a blow to the ability of the Royal Marines to launch land assaults from the sea.
A fleet of 17 Royal Air Force Puma helicopters, as well as 14 of the military’s oldest Chinook helicopters
A fleet of 46 Watchkeeper drones
Type 23 frigate HMS Northumberland
Two Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships, RFA Wave Knight and RFA Wave Ruler – vessels which carry fuel and supplies to enable the Royal Navy’s aircraft carriers to operate around the world.
Mr Healey also hinted that further cuts would follow.
A MOD spokesperson said: “This is purely speculation. The Budget increased defence spending by £2.9 billion for next year and we committed to setting a path to 2.5% of GDP on defence in spring.
“The Strategic Defence Review is working at pace to look at the threats we face and the capabilities we need to meet the challenges, threats and opportunities of the 21st century.”
