Armed forces chief defends spending cuts

General Sir David Richards, the Chief of the Defence Staff, said that a military plan which did not take account of the resources available was nothing more than a "wish list".

But at a speech to the Policy Exchange think-tank in London, he warned that the long-term plans depended on a return to real-term increases in defence spending after the current round of cuts is over in 2015.

Gen Richards acknowledged that the Strategic Defence and Security Review involved "calculated judgments" over which military capabilities should be cut.

However he said that it was essential for people to understand that a country's military strength was underpinned by its economic strength.