Speculation Over The Future Strength of the Army and Royal Navy

UK Ministry of Defence, There is speculation in the media regarding the future strength of both the Army and the Royal Navy. 
 
There are no plans to reduce the size of the Army or to give up any major maritime commitments. 
 
Like any well-structured organisation, the MoD routinely plans ahead to ensure that we are able to deliver Defence capability within the resources allocated and in line with Defence priorities. As in previous years, there is already speculation – but that is all it is. 
 
The programme will be decided on the grounds of getting the best for our Armed Forces. Recommendations will be developed and formally submitted to Defence Ministers later this year. 
 
This CSR settlement sees the continuation of the longest period of sustained real terms growth in planned defence spending since the 1980s and will see substantial investment. 
 
For the Army, this will include investment in protected mobility equipment for Land Forces, including the Future Rapid Effects System (FRES) vehicles. 
 
The settlement also allows MoD to proceed with two new aircraft carriers, which will be the largest ships ever sailed by the Royal Navy and a key part of modern expeditionary capability. 
 
We will also continue to invest in the Royal Air Force. We announced the procurement of a 6th C-17 following the CSR settlement. In addition, Typhoon aircraft will continue to go into service in stages and we plan to introduce additional new aircraft to the RAF’s fleet over the next decade, including the A400M, FSTA for air to air refuelling and Nimrod MRA4 maritime reconnaissance aircraft. 
 
Some £6.6 Bn has been provided from the Treasury Reserve to meet the costs of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan from 2001. This is new money – additional to the core Defence budget – to ensure that our Forces are trained, equipped and supported to meet the particular challenges each operation brings.