Devastating for the industries, communities and individuals concerned, and strategically questionable given Osborne’s determination for spending cuts, but it seems Fox’s recent intervention has given Cameron pause for thought on the extent of the cuts to defence. Compared to what’s coming for other government departments, 8% over five years is none too shabby.
Key points:
- Harrier jump jet retired
- Nimrod spy plane cancelled with closure of Kinloss
- 5,000 RAF personnel axed over five years
- 5,000 Navy personnel cut
- 7,000 army personnel cut
- 25,000 civilian MoD staff axed
- Final decision on Trident postponed to 2016
- £14bn defence training academy axed with loss of 2000 new jobs
- Army to lose 40% of its tanks and 35% of its heavy artillery
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