The British armed forces have been ordered to cancel all planned exercises involving more than 90 personnel in order to save money.
According to Report, citing The Times, this was revealed by a senior military source.
According to the source, the cuts will save around £30 million ($40.6 million). All such activities are to be suspended immediately.
The newspaper reports that large-scale army exercises have been cancelled, including a six-week live-fire exercise involving Challenger 2 tanks and Apache attack helicopters in Wales. Training for reservists linked to these exercises was also cancelled at the last minute.
Only units due to be deployed, those on standby or performing rapid-response duties will continue with full training.
The Times compares the current situation to 1973, when, against the backdrop of the oil crisis, the British armed forces were ordered to cut fuel expenditure by 10 per cent. According to the newspaper, the current restrictions are even more severe.
