Defence officials say that the number of soldiers will have to be cut, bases closed and plans for a new fighter jet shelved if the military is not given a multi-billion pound settlement.
Boris Johnson has told Rishi Sunak that he wants a £15 billion multi-year settlement for defence to strengthen Britain’s place on the world stage after Brexit and underpin a defence and security review. Mr Sunak however, wants a one-year settlement worth £1.9 billion. Both sides are at loggerheads before the Comprehensive Spending Review on November 25, when a decision will have to be made.
The Times has been told that officials have drawn up contingency plans for a small settlement under which the army could be cut to fewer than 74,000 troops.