Britain is a “first-class player” in defence terms, David Cameron said as he dismissed claims by a former US defence secretary that spending cuts have left the UK diminished on the world stage.
Robert Gates said the erosion in Britain’s capabilities had reduced its ability to be a “full partner” to the United States across the whole range of military operations.
But the Prime Minister insisted that the UK’s defence budget remained the fourth largest globally and more investment was being made to enhance its future capabilities.
During a visit to the Crossrail project in central London, Mr Cameron said: “I don’t agree with him. I think he has got it wrong.
“We have the fourth largest defence budget anywhere in the world. We are investing in future capabilities. We are a first-class player in terms of defence and as long as I am Prime Minster that is the way it will stay.”
It comes after General Sir Nicholas Houghton, the Chief of the Defence Staff, warned last month that manpower was increasingly seen as an “overhead”, and that Britain was in danger of being left with hollowed-out armed forces, with “exquisite” equipment but without the soldiers, sailors and airmen needed to man it.
Mr Gates, who served under presidents Barack Obama and George Bush, said he lamented cuts in defence spending on both sides of the Atlantic.