FIVE warships and 70 military aircraft will be scrapped in the biggest kit losses for 30 years.
Defence Secretary John Healey revealed the massive cuts to the armed forces just hours after Russia threatened to unleash World War Three.
Defence Secretary John Healey revealed the massive cuts to the armed forces just hours after Russia threatened to unleash World War Three[/caption]
A frigate, two assault ships and two Royal Fleet Auxiliary tankers would never sail again, he said.
Meanwhile, 31 helicopters and 41 drones are also being axed to free up cash for modern weapons.
Mr Healey claimed it would save £500million over the next five years and vowed to plough the savings back into defence.
But critics warned the cash would disappear in a budget black hole and damage national security, with one defence source saying: “These cuts are savage.”
They compared the threats from Russia to the build up to World War Two and added: “Imagine doing this in 1938.
“It’s bizarre.”
Assault ships HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark are both being scrapped a decade early — leaving the Royal Marines with no amphibious assault ships.
The frigate HMS Northumberland will also be retired, leaving eight frigates in service — the lowest number in Royal Navy history.
It is currently in maintenance where structural damage which was too expensive to repair was found.
The Royal Fleet Auxiliary tankers RFA Wave Knight and RFA Wave Ruler will also go.
The 17-strong fleet of RAF Puma helicopters will stop flying from March.
Fourteen RAF Chinook choppers will also be phased out over the next four years.
Mr Healey, who warned of facing further difficult decisions in the future — also axed the Army’s troubled Watchkeeper drone programme, which includes 41 spy UAVs worth £1.5billion.
Tory Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge said the cuts meant “scrapping key defence capabilities and weakening our national security”.
The Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin said the changes allowed focus “on the transition to new capabilities”.
