'We must be fully prepared to deter wars'

BRITAIN'S Armed Forces face more devastating cuts "at the worst possible time" as war rages on in Europe, defence chiefs have been warned.

- Michael Knowles

Shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge said that Russia's "bellicosity of language... and its industrial war footing" means Britain must be "fully prepared to respond".

But he said Labour's refusal to set out plans to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP was "likely" to lead to cuts in troop numbers and equipment.

It will also hamper attempts to replenish Britain's depleted ammunition stocks, Mr Cartlidge added, after years of providing military aid to Ukraine.

President Vladimir Putin has warned that the West will be at war with Russia if Britain and America allow Ukrainian troops to fire Storm Shadow missiles at military targets inside Russia.

And the Middle East is on the brink of an all-out regional war after Israeli forces killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut in an airstrike on Friday. It has continued the aerial bombardment of Lebanon.

Mr Cartlidge told the Daily Express: "Any delay in setting out a pathway to 2.5% is likely to lead to frontline cuts at the worst possible time for our Armed Forces.