The British Army has ordered commanders to suspend large-scale training exercises for the rest of the financial year in a move intended to save about £30 million.
A memo circulated to senior officers said no further collective training involving 90 or more troops would take place unless it was directly linked to an imminent deployment, a standby commitment or a quick-reaction role.
The restrictions are expected to affect exercises involving tanks, helicopters and other heavy equipment, which carry significant fuel, transport and ammunition costs. Training for reservists due to take part in some of the exercises has also been cancelled.
Among the activities understood to have been called off is a six-week live-fire exercise in Wales involving the Royal Tank Regiment, which was due to begin next week. The decision was reportedly taken only days before the exercise was scheduled to start.
However, the Army has said the measures do not amount to a blanket cancellation of training. Smaller-scale activities, basic soldiering skills and exercises connected to operational readiness are continuing, while commanders are reviewing planned events individually.
An Army spokesman said: “Our training continues and we are prioritising activity that contributes most directly to readiness, deployability and operational effectiveness.”
The spokesman added that the service was investing £2 billion in transforming Army training over the next 15 years, arguing that resources had to be concentrated on the activities most relevant to current military requirements.
The cuts come amid political pressure on the Government to increase defence spending and concerns over the ability of the armed forces to maintain readiness while meeting rising day-to-day costs.
