Armed forces funding

03/08/11

The UK's armed forces are unlikely to be able to do what is asked of them after 2015, MPs have said.

A defence committee report released today questioned the capacity of the armed forces to maintain their current level of operation amidst spending cuts.

The committee said that government plans to increase funding after 2015 were "aspiration" rather than policy.

However defence secretary Liam Fox denied that the UK's armed forces are underfunded, pointing to a planned real-terms rise in the military equipment budget between 2015 and 2020.

The government outlined its vision of the armed forces in ten years' time, which is known as 'Future Force 2020', as part of the strategic defence and security review.

Arbuthnot: Savings need is overriding UK security

Chief of defence staff: UK will remain 'formidable' fighting force

Liam Fox: We still have fourth largest military budget in the world

Labour: 'Rushed' cuts leave armed forces at 'very limit' of capability

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