Army set to avoid further troop reductions amid ongoing invasion of Ukraine

Chief of the Defense Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin has hinted that no further troop cuts will be included in the defense command document

The head of the armed forces indicated that no further reductions in force would be announced (

Image: AFP via Getty Images

The army is set to be spared further troop reductions when the government publishes its latest defense plan, the head of Britain's armed forces announced tonight.

The number of troops is reduced from 82,000 to just 72,500 as part of plans set out in March 2021, 11 months before Russia invades Ukraine.

The latest figures show that the army has already fallen to 75,710 full-time soldiers.

Critics hoped the war in Ukraine would trigger an overhaul when updated proposals were revealed next month in a Defense Command document.

But the Prime Minister is expected to continue with the cuts, which come as the remaining troops receive better equipment.

Britain’s top military officer, Chief of the Defense Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin tonight suggested there would be no further cuts on top of plans to cut the workforce at 72,500.

Admiral Sir Tony Radakin addressing the London Defense Conference (

Picture:

PENNSYLVANIA)

He told the London Defense Conference, "I don't think with the defense command document that we foresee the army going to be smaller."

The Tories have also come under fire for scrapping a third of the Army's Challenger 2 main battle tanks as part of cuts announced two years ago.

An £800m deal has been struck to supply 148 upgraded Challenger 3 tanks.

But the total number of tanks will increase from 227.

“I see the value of tanks for particular tactical actions,” said Admiral Sir Tony, former First Sea Lord.

"But this idea that there are - literally - silver bullets or individual abilities that then decide who wins and who loses is nonsense."

Admitting that the NATO allies were "stronger" than the UK when it came to tanks, he added: "When you look at the British Armed Forces, then you have to put them in the category: Where do we fit in NATO? Where in particular have we...