£500m defence cuts as ships, drones and helicopters scrapped

Healey acknowledged the cuts came at a time of “war in Europe, growing Russian aggression, conflict in the Middle East and technology changing the nature of warfare”.

In a statement to MPs, he warned that further cuts could be required but insisted he had the support of armed forces chiefs for the decisions he had made.

Experts say the cuts indicate that the MOD is facing significant funding pressures.

“These are mostly capabilities that are approaching retirement anyway, have been at low levels of readiness or aren’t worth further refits or investment,” said Matthew Savill, director of military sciences at the Royal United Services Institute think tank.

“But the fact that defence either can’t crew them, or is prepared to cut them to make very modest savings over five years is an indication of just how tight resources must be in the MOD right now.”

The MOD believes the changes will help deliver the aims of the strategic defence review, a “root and branch” consideration of the current state of the armed forces, the threats the UK faces and the capabilities needed to address them.

“These are not the only difficult decisions we will need to make as a new government to deal with the fiscal inheritance,” Healey said, adding that the changes would “secure better value for money for taxpayers and better outcomes for our military”.

The savings will be retained in defence and all personnel will be redeployed or retrained, Healey said.

In the Commons, Conservative shadow secretary of defence James Cartlidge claimed that HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark could have been prepared if needed for a warfighting scenario, contrary to Healey’s claims that the ships were effectively mothballed.

Chief of the General Staff Gen Sir Roly Walker said: “I’ve flown many missions in CH47 and Puma, latter day warhorses – and I will miss them.

“But all warhorses must go out to pasture at some stage, oftentimes because we’ve found a faster, better, and cheaper way.”

Chief of the Defence Staff Adm Sir Tony Radakin said: “Accelerating the disposal of legacy equipment is the logical approach to focus on the transition to new capabilities that better reflect changing technology and tactics.

“It also complements our taking some tough decisions to ease some of the current financial pressures.”