What has been described as the "bloodiest spending round" to affect the British armed forces may result in the Royal Air Force Harrier force being scrapped. Military officials are now talking over the implementation of measures that, as well as the disappearance of the RAF's V-STOL capability, could also reduce British Army manpower down to circa-1850 levels, according to reports. The RAF, British Army and Royal Navy alike are all said to have tabulated proposals to slim down either equipment or personnel numbers as a means of reducing the armed forces' portion of UK spending.

Harrier in RAF Service

2009 marks 40 years of the Harrier in RAF service. From the initial GR1 to the current GR7s and GR9s, the type has been a staple of the British military's strike force for four decades. Modern era-Harrier GR7s/GR9s form part of Joint Force Harrier, which was created in 2000 and which unified the RAF's and Royal Navy's Harrier aircraft and associated personnel under one operational umbrella.

Earlier this month, Armed Forces International reported on the imminent arrival back in the UK of the RAF's Afghan Harrier force, which is being replaced in that part of the world by Tornado GR4 aircraft.

Among the options said to be being discussed are those of eliminating as many as three present British Army infantry battalions - the equivalent of approximately 1,800 troops. The Royal Navy, meanwhile, could end up having to put its Type 42 warships into retirement in advance of their scheduled withdrawal from service, and similarly the RAF - its Harriers.

Speaking to the Daily Mail newspaper, an unidentified military official spoke of the need for a complete defence review to take place, following on from the last one in 1998. A review of this kind would compel ministers to prioritise the UK's strategic needs, as opposed to anticipating widely implementable defence cuts.

UK Military Overstretch

Amidst reports of UK military overstretch, measures of the kind reported would put even more strain on the system, and cause greater controversy. To take the British Army as an example, however, it has been said to be achieved, the cutbacks under discussion would involve needing to either reduce overall manpower, or downsize future armoured vehicle plans.

No comment on the situation has yet been provided by the Ministry of Defence which, on June 20th, simply said defence budget-related talks remained "ongoing".