Defence cuts 'threatening security'

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

The Society of British Aerospace Companies (SBAC), representing more than 2,600 firms, said the industry was facing the prospect of having to lay off workers while the armed forces would be left short of vital equipment.

The warning came after the Ministry of Defence's defence management board met on Tuesday to consider proposals to cut or delay equipment projects in order to balance the books. The MoD said that no decisions had been made.

However, the Chief of Defence Material, General Sir Kevin O'Donoghue, told the Commons Defence Committee last month that all 19 major equipment projects could be affected as a result of the review.

He said that the last time he could remember spending constraints on the forces being so tight was in the late 1970s when the Government was struggling under restrictions imposed by the International Monetary Fund.

SBAC chief executive Ian Godden expressed concern that decisions taken now could have long term consequences for both the forces and industry.

"We are very concerned that the Government is about to make short term decisions to balance their books with insufficient regard for the industrial consequences or impact on long term value for money. The Government's Defence Industrial Strategy was set up to prevent this from occurring," he said.

"Other nations recognise the threats that they face and are steadily increasing the amount that they allocate to defence. We are asking our armed forces to do more with less," he added.

Shadow defence secretary Liam Fox said that the problems were the result of Gordon Brown's neglect of the forces.

Liberal Democrat defence spokesman Nick Harvey said that the spending problems underlined the need for a new strategic defence review looking at all the forces' capabilities and commitments.