The ministry of defence (MoD) was facing ‘brutal’ cuts in a new strategic review, a Tory rebellion and ministerial resignations as PN went to press.
A £36bn ‘black hole’ in the defence budget had already been predicted back in 2010. Then Brexit devalued sterling by 11 percent against the dollar. MoD equipment purchases may cost £5bn more over the next decade as a result.
The government had ordered 138 US F-35 fighter jets. Now it is only confirming the first 48 F-35s which (including running costs) are predicted to cost £13bn by 2048.
Topics: Anti-militarism