British Defence Minister John Healey announced on Wednesday that he will free up $500 million ($633million) over the next five years for military budgets by scrapping several Royal Navy ships, a drone system, and retiring a few helicopters.

Healey, who made the announcement on Wednesday to the parliament, said: "These won't be the last hard decisions I have to take."

He claimed that ending the capability would save the Ministry of Defence up to 500 million pounds in five years and 150 million over two years.

Healey stated that "these decisions will provide better value for money, and ensure we are better positioned to modernise the UK defense and strengthen it."

The UK plans to spend 2,5% of its GDP on defense in the future, but the immediate need for more public services like health and education is causing it to be squeezed.

Healey announced that HMS Albion, HMS Bulwark and HMS Northumberland - two amphibious assault vessels which were used to land Royal Marines - will be retired in March 2025. HMS Northumberland is a Type 23 type frigate.

Watchkeeper Mk 1 Uncrewed Aerial System, 14 older Chinook helicopters and several Puma helicopters will be retired.

He said that Britain's allies were aware of the plans and blamed it on the "fiscal legacy" left by the previous government. Reporting by Sarah Young; editing by Elizabeth Piper, Michael Holden

(source: Reuters)