Prime Minister David Cameron has slashed defence spending, axed military projects and announced plans to cut army, navy and air force numbers but insisted it is not a “simply cost-saving exercise.”
Sketching the future shape of Britain’s defence in the long-awaited Strategic Defence and Security Review, Mr Cameron said the defence budget will fall by 8% over the next four years.
The army will lose 7000 personnel, the RAF 5000, the navy 5000 and the MoD 25,000 civilian staff over the next five years.
“This is not simply a cost-saving exercise to get to grips with the biggest budget deficit in post-war history, it is about taking the right decisions to protect our national security in the years ahead,” he said.
“But the two are not separate. Our national security depends on our economic strength and vice-versa.”
For Scotland, the announcement brought good news and bad.
There was relief in Fife and on the Clyde at the confirmation that both new aircraft carriers are to be built, a decision that ensures the future of the vital Scottish shipbuilding industry.
In his statement, the Prime Minister criticised the way the previous Labour government had procured the multi-billion pound contracts, and made it clear to MPs that it was only the cost of cancellation that saved the second carrier from being mothballed.
However, fears that RAF Kinloss in Morayshire would close as an air base were confirmed when the Prime Minister announced that the replacement Nimrod reconnaissance aircraft due to be stationed there has been cancelled.
With two of Britain’s four Tornado air bases to close, there were fears for the future of neighbouring RAF Lossiemouth.
Overall, naval manpower will be cut by 5000 to 30,000 by 2015 and the total number of frigates and destroyers will drop from 23 to 19 by 2020.
It was also confirmed that HMS Ark Royal will be decommissioned four years early and the UK’s Harrier jump jets will be axed.
Mr Cameron pledged that despite a 7000 reduction in army numbers to 95,500 by 2015, it would remain “large and well-equipped.”
There will be a review of Britain’s reserve forces.
The army in Germany is to be brought home and tanks and heavy artillery reduced by 40% but there will be more Chinook helicopters and communications equipment.
RAF manpower is to be reduced by 5000 to 33,000 by 2015.
Mr Cameron said the future of Britain’s air power is to be centred on the Typhoon, which in Scotland is based at RAF Leuchars, and the joint strike fighter.
He reaffirmed Britain’s commitment to an independent nuclear deterrent, but said the decision on the replacement of Trident will be postponed until 2016 after the next general election.