Defence cuts since 1997 highlighted

Thursday, April 02, 2009

New figures out today from the MoD reveal broad declines in manpower and equipment over the last decade.

According to the figures provided to Conservative shadow Defence Secretary Dr Liam Fox, the Forces have seen a decrease of 46,090 servicemen and women in the military since 1997. The figures by Dr Fox were crafted specifically to see the impact that the Labour government has had on defence since 1997.

The attack submarine fleet has cut by one third from 12 to 8, while the Frigate and Destroyer fleet has dropped from 35 to 23. In 1997 there were three aircraft carriers according to the figures. Now there are two.

Armoured vehicles have dropped by 479 while 168 fixed wing aircraft have been cut to 806.

Since 1997 the Navy has lost 16.4 per cent of its strength, the RAF has lost 27 per cent and the Army has lost 2.4 per cent. The TA meanwhile has suffered the biggest drop among the active and reserve forces, experiencing a 38 per cent drop in numbers to 35,000 members.

Dr Fox told the Telegraph that the figures represented a "decade of neglect" by Labour.

"Recruitment and retention are a growing problem across the Armed Forces, exacerbated by repeated breaches of the harmony guidelines set out to ensure that service personnel are able to spend time with their families, and in training," he added.