British Defense Minister refuses to reduce the size of the armed forces against the backdrop of events in Ukraine

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British Defense Minister refuses to reduce the size of the armed forces against the backdrop of events in Ukraine

The Ukrainian armed conflict forced the UK to abandon the plan to reduce the number of armed forces, which was adopted back in 2021. This decision was made by the head of the country's military department, Ben Wallace. The Times writes about it.

In addition, the UK Secretary of Defense also abandoned the planned reduction in the number tanksin service with the British Royal Army. In 2021, we recall, a plan was presented to reduce the British armed forces to the minimum since the Napoleonic wars in Europe. The number of personnel in the army was to be reduced to 75 thousand people.



Events in Ukraine forced the government to abandon plans to reduce the army, as the generals determined that with such a size, the armed forces of the kingdom would not be able to effectively resist potential adversaries. The position of the American military also played its role, which warned the British colleagues that the United Kingdom was no longer among the countries with the strongest armed forces.

Earlier, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak decided to increase the country's defense spending from £4 billion to £5 billion. True, this amount does not meet the requests of the Ministry of Defense: Wallace asked for exactly twice as much. However, additional funding may follow the update of the foreign policy report. British government ministers are going to analyze the lessons of the Ukrainian events and make appropriate decisions in the military sphere.

True, now the size of the army is just over 75 thousand people, of which 10% are on vacation due to illness or injuries. That is, in reality, the British crown has only 60-65 thousand military personnel.
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17 comments
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  1. +1
    10 March 2023 09: 15
    "Demilitarization" continues, the threat is reduced, NATO is weakening. But no, strictly the opposite effect of CBO. wassat
    1. 0
      10 March 2023 09: 21
      Earlier, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak decided to increase defense spending from £4 billion to £5 billion.

      The main thing is here it is. It would be desirable for them to continue not to border on anyone ... but give more money.
      1. 0
        10 March 2023 09: 38
        Quote: NDR-791
        The main thing is here it is. It would be desirable for them to continue not to border on anyone ... but give more money.

        Throughout their history they have always been muddiers, imperialists, they have always created confusion within different countries. Colonizers. They have nothing sacred. Their very holiness is their benefit, interests, with the taste of imperialists.
  2. The comment was deleted.
    1. 0
      10 March 2023 09: 17
      Quote: tihonmarine
      The Ukrainian armed conflict forced the UK to abandon the plan to reduce the number of armed forces

      I wonder if Britain borders on Ukraine or Russia, no one threatens it, or they remembered 1864.

      It did not border on Germany either. Neither in 1914 nor in 1939. However, she was barely able to keep from establishing a common border in the first case, and for many years she bordered in the second case. When evaluating national security, you need to think ahead. winked
  3. 0
    10 March 2023 09: 16
    The Ukrainian armed conflict forced the UK to abandon the plan to reduce the number of armed forces

    I wonder if Britain borders on Ukraine or Russia, no one threatens it, or again they remembered 1864.
    1. +1
      10 March 2023 09: 26
      Israel, too, does not border on peaches, but the tail on them springs great!
  4. +4
    10 March 2023 09: 19
    What for so perishing to distort (the last paragraph)?
    Any army sends its people on vacation, for treatment, for study, etc. And at this time, its number is not legally falling! laughing
    1. 0
      10 March 2023 09: 56
      And they are still somewhere around 92-95 thousand. This does not affect the overall alignment. And how many generals do they have?
  5. 0
    10 March 2023 09: 24
    Where and how will it help them? Someone is going to land on the islands? Or thought about the expeditionary force?
    1. 0
      10 March 2023 09: 36
      Quote from Aken
      Where and how will it help them? Someone is going to land on the islands?

      The last one who wanted to land on the British Isles was Hitler, and if the British had not got into France, then Hitler would have limited himself to North Africa.
      1. 0
        10 March 2023 10: 03
        Quote: tihonmarine
        The last one who wanted to land on the British Isles was Hitler, and if the British had not got into France, then Hitler would have limited himself to North Africa.

        Hitler had a goal of world domination, so he would not have limited himself to anything. Simply, first he would have dealt with Poland, then France, and then he would have smashed the USSR. At the same time actively purchasing resources and weapons in Britain and the United States. And after the solution of the eastern question, he would go to capture London and Washington.
  6. 0
    10 March 2023 09: 37
    Earlier, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak decided to increase defense spending from £4 billion to £5 billion.
    Will he buy war elephants from fellow countrymen? laughing
  7. 0
    10 March 2023 09: 48
    now the size of the army is just over 75 thousand people, of which 10% are on leave due to illness or injuries.
    Why are they so painful and traumatized even in peacetime. And what will happen in the military? Everyone suddenly rushed to strengthen, increase and re-equip their Armed Forces, realizing that words about power are far from deeds. Another arms race has begun, only now it was not the West that pushed the USSR to it, but it turns out that Russia is the Western countries.
  8. 0
    10 March 2023 10: 18
    In England, there are enough problems without this, if you read the English media. The English oil and gas barons are successfully enriching themselves at the expense of the British and do not want to share the profits. Everything is as usual under democratic capitalism.
  9. 0
    10 March 2023 11: 03
    You can do anything as long as you have money. But with money, everything is just bad. Not to mention the fact that the requirements for physical training for soldiers have already been reduced below any limits)))
  10. 0
    10 March 2023 12: 33
    That is, we give away all the ammunition cleanly, and we do not reduce the number of l / s. Perfect solution! And with what will they serve? With shovels? And shoot from cannons - with a steamed turnip?
    1. 0
      10 March 2023 23: 24
      Quote: Peter_Koldunov
      That is, we give away all the ammunition cleanly, and we do not reduce the number of l / s. Perfect solution! And with what will they serve? With shovels? And shoot from cannons - with a steamed turnip?

      So the production of ammunition is growing rapidly, so it will come with time

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