If the military reduction policy continues, the United the kingdom risks losing its influence in NATO. This opinion was expressed by the Deputy Supreme Commander of the NATO Allied Forces in Europe, British General Tim Redford in an interview with The Daily Telegraph.
“I believe that our army is not strong enough. its scope,” – said the general. “We risk losing our position. It would be wrong to say that we live from the legacy of the past, but we have to be very careful not to fall. We have influence in NATO, we are in a strong position here. And fear that if not. If we invest in the army, we will not build own a manufacturing base and we don't show leadership, we can lose that position.”
According to Redford, the UK does not have enough military personnel to effectively counter the emerging threats in the world. The military leader noted that the modernization of military equipment and weapons should take place in parallel with the increase in the size of the royal armed forces.
Currently, the strength of the British army is about 76 thousand people, which is the lowest value since the beginning of the 19th century. By 1990, the size of the kingdom's ground forces had doubled. According to the plans of the authorities, the number of the British army will be reduced to 72.5 thousand people in the coming years.