U.K. Defense Secretary responds to U.S. Concerns: Says Cuts Won’t Hinder Military

Cuts to military spending won’t hinder Britain’s ability to work with the U.S. on foreign missions, U.K. Defense Secretary Michael Fallon said in a rebuttal to U.S. concerns that the U.K.’s efforts to trim its deficit could hinder its military capability.

British Defence Secretary Michael Fallon and Chief of the 
Defense Staff Nick Houghton. Photo: Reuters

In an interview with The Wall Street Journal ahead of his first meeting with U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter, Mr. Fallon said the British army would still be able to contribute significant forces to military missions after it reaches its target to reduce the number of regular personnel by about one-fifth by 2020.

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The pair are expected to discuss a range of security and intelligence issues on Wednesday, including the conflict in Ukraine, the fight against Islamic State in Syria and Iraq, and collaboration in defense planning and procurement. Britain’s cuts in military spending are also likely to feature in the talks.

U.S. Army Chief of Staff Gen. Raymond Odierno

Mr. Fallon’s comments follow a rare public admonition of the U.K. by a U.S. official. U.S. Army Chief of Staff Gen. Raymond Odierno said in a British newspaper interview published this month that he was “very concerned” about Britain’s commitment as a military ally in light of the budget cuts. He said that the U.S. was adjusting its plans based on the assumption that Britain would no longer be able to contribute division-strength forces in excess of 10,000 troops and that British forces might have to operate within U.S. units, rather than alongside them.

Mr. Fallon said that assumption was “far too pessimistic.” He added that Britain agreed with the U.S. that European allies needed to increase their military spending.

“We’re alongside the United States in wanting other European allies to do more,” Mr. Fallon said.

U.S. military officials have said that they would like Britain to reverse its spending reductions but that they don't intend to continue to publicly pressure their closest ally on the issue, noting the U.S. has its own budget challenges.

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