UK scraps older warships, helicopters and drones in cost-saving plan

The U.K. is scrapping five warships, along with a dozen military helicopters and drones, as part of a cost-cutting program for the army, Defence Secretary John Healey said Wednesday.

The measures could save up to half a billion pounds over the coming five years, Healey told MPs.

The cuts are aimed at easing “financial pressures,” although Healey said the U.K. was still committed to meeting a target of spending 2.5 percent of GDP on defense.

“The retirement of aging equipment” is needed as the U.K. looks to “transition to new capabilities and make our armed forces fit for the future,” Healey said.

Under the plan, two assault ships, the HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark, will be taken out of service a decade early, while logistics vessels RFA Wave Knight and RFA Wave Ruler will also be scrapped along with frigate HMS Northumberland, which is currently undergoing a refit.

Additionally, aged fleets of Puma and CH-47 Chinook helicopters will be ditched and 47 Watchkeeper reconnaissance drones will also be cut.

“To ensure that Britain is kept secure at home and strong abroad in a changing world, defense needs to make changes too,” said Healey, adding that “Difficult decisions are required.”

The move was condemned by the opposition Conservative Party.

Speaking in parliament, Shadow Defense Secretary James Cartlidge said the decision risked “weakening our national security.”