Strategic Defence Review

Britain will face “critical shortfalls” in air transport and refuelling aircraft as combat operations end in Afghanistan, the National Audit Office warns.

The government’s decision to scrap Nimrod surveillance aircraft poses a risk to Britain’s security, according to an all-party committee of MPs.

A 20 per cent cut in the size of the army is announced today. But as Britain continues to punch above its weight militarily, Carl Dinnen asks if this is the first step on the road to a beating.

A leaked classified memo suggests 16,500 army personnel, including as many as 2,500 wounded soldiers, could be made redundant by April 2015. The MoD has rejected the information as “incorrect”.

Former defence secretary Liam Fox says his treatment by some sections of the media has been characterised by “personal vindictiveness, even hatred”.

An official inquiry into links between Liam Fox and his self-styled adviser Adam Werritty concludes that the former defence secretary breached the ministerial code of conduct.

Ahead of the report to David Cameron on Liam Fox’s dealings with adviser Adam Werritty, the defence secretary admits his contact with his friend may have given an impression of wrongdoing.

Prime Minister David Cameron has asked for an initial report on the investigation into Defence Secretary Liam Fox’s dealings with self-styled adviser Adam Werritty, to be delivered to him by Monday.

As Defence Secretary Liam Fox is accused of slashing the army by cutting troop numbers in favour of reservists, he tells Channel 4 News the focus is on the “overall deployable strength of the army”.

As the Defence Secretary outlines major reforms for the MoD, the head of a defence think tank tells Channel 4 News the military realises it must change or face being “hung out to dry” by politicians.

As events are held throughout the UK to mark Armed Forces Day, Channel 4 News learns there is growing disquiet over the effect of budget cuts on morale within the British Army.

The Coalition could confirm next week that the pact between the Government and its armed forces, which promises a duty of care to troops for the sacrifices they make, is to be enshrined in law.

As redundancies are announced in the army and navy and the head of the RAF says his service is ‘at full stretch’, Channel 4 News hears calls to re-open the Strategic Defence Spending Review.

Plans to privatise Britain’s search and rescue helicopter service are in disarray as the tendering process is halted. Channel 4 News understands the abortive privatisation will cost the taxpayer £10m.

Scrapping the RAF Nimrod surveillance planes will leave a “massive gap” in British security, former defence chiefs warn in a last ditch attempt to save the aircrafts.