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US defence secretary warns against UK armed forces cuts US defence secretary warns against UK armed forces cuts
(about 7 hours later)
The US defence secretary says he fears the UK could become "disengaged" if it makes further cuts to defence spending.The US defence secretary says he fears the UK could become "disengaged" if it makes further cuts to defence spending.
Ashton Carter told the BBC Britain had "always punched above its weight" and "it would be a great loss to the world if it now took action that would indicate disengagement".Ashton Carter told the BBC Britain had "always punched above its weight" and "it would be a great loss to the world if it now took action that would indicate disengagement".
The UK government has not committed to meeting Nato's target of spending 2% of GDP on defence beyond 2016. The UK government said it was committed to meeting Nato's target of spending 2% of GDP on defence this financial year.
It says budgets will be determined in the next spending review. But it says future budgets will be determined in the next spending review.
Few countries have met the Nato target so at a summit last September, the commitment was watered down, with the less ambitious goal that those countries that were not meeting the target should "halt any decline in defence expenditure" . Few countries have met the Nato target and at a summit in Wales last September, the commitment was watered down, with the less ambitious goal that those countries that were not meeting the target would "halt any decline in defence expenditure".
Those countries already spending 2% were encouraged to stick to that commitment and David Cameron made a speech urging other European members of the military alliance to boost spending.
'Engaged United Kingdom'
However, Mr Carter said all Nato countries "should stick to the pledge they all made" of meeting, or working towards, the 2% target.However, Mr Carter said all Nato countries "should stick to the pledge they all made" of meeting, or working towards, the 2% target.
"Britain has always had an independent ability to express itself and basically punch above its weight," he said."Britain has always had an independent ability to express itself and basically punch above its weight," he said.
"I'd hate to see that go away because I think it's a great loss to the world when a country of that much history and standing… takes actions which seem to indicate disengagement."I'd hate to see that go away because I think it's a great loss to the world when a country of that much history and standing… takes actions which seem to indicate disengagement.
"We need an engaged United Kingdom.""We need an engaged United Kingdom."
New threatsNew threats
Mr Carter's comments follow similar remarks earlier this year by the head of the US Army, who said he was "very concerned" about the impact of spending cuts on the UK's armed forces.Mr Carter's comments follow similar remarks earlier this year by the head of the US Army, who said he was "very concerned" about the impact of spending cuts on the UK's armed forces.
Chief of Staff General Raymond Odierno warned it could see British units operating within US ranks, rather than divisions working alongside each other.Chief of Staff General Raymond Odierno warned it could see British units operating within US ranks, rather than divisions working alongside each other.
MPs and UK military commanders - former and serving - have also said Britain's security ability would be threatened by more cuts.MPs and UK military commanders - former and serving - have also said Britain's security ability would be threatened by more cuts.
The cross-party Defence Select Committee argued recently that the rise of Islamic State and the increase in Russian aggression meant Britain's 2010 defence plans "no longer reflect the new threats to peace around the world".The cross-party Defence Select Committee argued recently that the rise of Islamic State and the increase in Russian aggression meant Britain's 2010 defence plans "no longer reflect the new threats to peace around the world".
The British Army is already undergoing a 20% reduction in regular troop numbers, from 102,000 in 2010 to 82,000 in 2020.The British Army is already undergoing a 20% reduction in regular troop numbers, from 102,000 in 2010 to 82,000 in 2020.
This is to be accompanied by a rise in the number of reservists, from 24,000 to 30,000.This is to be accompanied by a rise in the number of reservists, from 24,000 to 30,000.
The Royal Navy and the RAF are both preparing to lose 5,000 regulars and gain 500 reservists over the same period.The Royal Navy and the RAF are both preparing to lose 5,000 regulars and gain 500 reservists over the same period.
The prime minister's official spokesman said "we will meet the 2% target this financial year and decisions for future years will be part of the spending review".