Strategic Defence and Security Review

The country's first strategic defence review for over ten years is in danger of being rushed, according the commons defence committee.

The review, designed to determine the UK's current defence needs and capabilities, is currently being conducted for publication in October.

It will coincide with, and be overshadowed by, the comprehensive spending review which will apply huge constraints to Britain's military budget.

The defence secretary Liam Fox is still engaged in a tussle with the Treasury to secure funding for the update of the Trident nuclear missile system, which is not covered in the review.