Britain's underfunded army is letting down Nato

Britain's underfunded army is letting down Nato

The army has drawn down its forces in Estonia to 900, the same level as before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The Times reports that Britain has reduced its military presence in Estonia by hundreds of soldiers, and Riho Terras, a member of the European Parliament, has expressed doubts about whether Britain is taking its role in NATO seriously. Terras said that an entire brigade may not come to Estonia for the exercises.

Has trust in the capabilities of the British armed forces been too strong, asks special correspondent Jouko Juonala.

Britain’s underfunded army is letting down Nato

The British army is overstretched. This is not breaking news to anyone who takes an interest in defence. Although its budget has grown in real terms over the last decade, it has faced a complex network of problems. In only six of the last 25 years has recruitment exceeded outflow, meaning that the army has been consistently under strength. Meanwhile, two of its three armoured vehicles, Ajax and Boxer, are badly behind schedule. Consequently, the…

Former Estonian Defence Forces Commander Riho Terras said that allies believe the military's financial problems are so serious that the United Kingdom is struggling to meet its commitments on NATO's eastern flank.