Rishi Sunak jets to Lithuania this week for a crunch showdown with NATO leaders as the war in Ukraine grinds on.
But, as he prepares for the two-day summit, he faces mounting criticism at home over the state of Britain’s armed forces and delays to a key Defence Command Paper. The document was due to set out the Government’s latest plans for troop numbers, vital military gear and ships, planes and tanks in the wake of Russia ’s invasion of Ukraine.
Labour said 26 of NATO’s 31 member nations had unveiled updated defence proposals since Vladimir Putin ordered Kremlin forces to cross the border in February last year. The UK is among five NATO countries not to have published new plans. The Defence Command Paper had been expected to be published weeks ago.
But the Mirror understands it might not emerge until July 17 - five days after the Prime Minister returns from a major meeting of NATO leaders, including US President Joe Biden, French premier Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, in Lithuanian capital Vilnius.
Shadow Defence Secretary John Healey said: “It is shameful for the UK to go to the NATO summit next week as one of only five NATO nations that have still not rebooted defence plans since Putin invaded Ukraine. Britain faces increased threats, yet the Tories are still cutting the Army and leaving our troops without vital kit they need to fight and fulfil our NATO obligations.
“The Conservatives put at risk the UK's role as the leading European NATO nation. Ministers must reboot defence plans now by halting Army cuts, ensuring our NATO obligations are fulfilled and renewing Britain’s moral contract with our forces.”
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace had promised a new defence strategy “in response to emerging threats and responding to Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine”. He initially said it would be “published in June”, but it is yet to appear.
Following Russia’s invasion, Germany announced plans for a €100 billion (£85.5bn) investment in its armed forces. Poland is expected to spend 4% of its GDP on defence his year - double the NATO target of at least 2%. Meanwhile, Britain is axing 9,500 soldiers from the Army, with the number of regular troops plunging from 82,000 to 72,500.
Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Patrick Sanders last month used a speech to the Royal United Services Institute think tank to attack the Government's “poor” record for buying gear. He also said the Army Reserve of part-time troops - previously the Territorial Army - was “not as capable and credible as it needs to be”. Sir Patrick will step down as head of the Army next year after an unusually short term.
Last month, NATO’s second-in-command warned the force was now "too small". Top British officer General Sir Tim Radford, the alliance’s deputy supreme commander, feared the UK was “just holding on” to its influential position within the coalition amid huge cuts to its fighting strength.
Before this week’s summit in the Baltic, Mr Sunak hosts the American President at Downing Street. Mr Biden is expected to hold talks with the PM at No10 tomorrow morning before travelling to Windsor Castle where he will meet the King.
While the trip is not a formal State Visit, there will be some ceremonial moments. Tight security is expected in London and Windsor, with dozens of armed police, undercover officers and US Secret Service agents on patrol.
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