British Armed Forces brace themselves for ‘very tough decisions’ amid fears of defence cuts
Weak pound means gear for Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force will be costly and may spell cuts on the horizon
The armed forces are reportedly bracing themselves for “very tough decisions” amid fears of further defence cuts.
Delivery of new kit across the Army, Royal Navy and RAF could be delayed in the coming months despite a recent boost in funding.
David Cameron pledged to increase defence coffers by 2 per cent of GDP to meet Nato commitments.
But the weak pound means new American-sourced kit which has already been ordered is also now more expensive.
Senior defences sources fear there is not enough cash for spending commitments already in place, according to The Telegraph.
One source told the paper: “It’s looking like 2018 or 2019 before things get any easier.
“On top of that the Treasury demanded efficiencies and when we have to make those efficiencies it’s very painful.
“There are going to be some very tough decisions in the next two or three months.”
The Royal Navy is already thought to have asked ministers for extra money re-fit generators on its Type 45 destroyers after a catalogue of power failures.