SDSR cuts

Government plans to scrap the Harrier jump jets and aircraft carrier the Ark Royal came under fire as former Army and Navy chiefs wrote a letter to the prime minister criticising the plans.

The letter, seen by the Telegraph, said the changes outlined in last October's strategic defence and security review (SDSR) would leave a "considerable risk" to soldiers in amphibious operations.

The cutbacks arose from the Ministry of Defence's adjustments following a 7.5% cut to its £37 billion annual budget.

The authors include Field Marshal Lord Bramall, the former head of the Armed Forces, six retired admirals and three generals.

They urged the prime minister to pursue a "rapid re-evaluation" of the SDSR and advocated keeping the Harrier jump jets in reduced numbers alongside their replacement Tornado fighters.