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Military cuts vital Military cuts vital
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According to Wing Commander Peter Daulby, a smaller army would put us at risk of not being able to cope with civil emergencies such as the G4S Olympics security debacle (Army warns of its own Games legacy: two years to recover, 14 August). How do other countries with smaller armies manage?According to Wing Commander Peter Daulby, a smaller army would put us at risk of not being able to cope with civil emergencies such as the G4S Olympics security debacle (Army warns of its own Games legacy: two years to recover, 14 August). How do other countries with smaller armies manage?
Britain spends militarily twice as much relative to GDP as Europe's economic powerhouse, Germany (2.6% v 1.3% in 2011 according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute). Following the recent strategic defence review the military budget will drop by 8% or £3bn by 2014. The estimated £17bn annual savings from moving to the German level would help substantially to pay for the infrastructure – such as electrified and high-speed rail, Thames estuary hub airport, new housing stock and improved schools – our economy so clearly needs.Britain spends militarily twice as much relative to GDP as Europe's economic powerhouse, Germany (2.6% v 1.3% in 2011 according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute). Following the recent strategic defence review the military budget will drop by 8% or £3bn by 2014. The estimated £17bn annual savings from moving to the German level would help substantially to pay for the infrastructure – such as electrified and high-speed rail, Thames estuary hub airport, new housing stock and improved schools – our economy so clearly needs.
We may punch above our weight in war and, since Beijing, in Olympic medals, but Germany continues to win the peace.
Joseph Palley
Richmond, Surrey
We may punch above our weight in war and, since Beijing, in Olympic medals, but Germany continues to win the peace.
Joseph Palley
Richmond, Surrey
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