Britain's parliamentary defence committee is warning that it may no longer be possible to conduct operations such as the intervention in Libya last year after severe cuts imposed by a �39bn debt in the Ministry of Defence.
In a report, Operations In Libya, the defence select committee also raises fears that a large number of surface-to-air missiles held in Muammar Gaddafi's armouries have disappeared and calls on the British Government to try to track them down.
"We are concerned by reports that large numbers of man-portable surface-to-air missiles, previously in the armament of pro-Gaddafi forces, are missing in Libya," the MPs say.
"We accept that the Government, the UN and Nato have acknowledged that this is a major concern for security in the region and the wider world.
"We expect the international community to support and maintain pressure on the new Libyan regime to ensure that these weapons are held securely and safely."
Since the fall of the Gaddafi regime, Libya has haemorrhaged weapons across its southern borders into lawless areas, where it is feared they have fallen into the hands of terrorists linked to al Qaeda in the Maghreb.
These not only have included dozens of the "ManPad" surface-to-air missiles, capable of downing an airliner on landing or take-off, but also heavy machine guns and the plastic explosive Semtex.
At least half a ton of Semtex is reported to be in circulation among violent groups after being stolen from Libya, a Sky source said.
"We believe the Government will face significantly greater challenges should an operation of similar size be necessary in the future and it will need to be prepared for some difficult decisions on prioritisation," the report said.
"We consider that Operation Ellamy (The Libyan campaign) raises important questions as to the extent of the United Kingdom's national contingent capability.
"We urge the Government to review the United Kingdom's capacity to respond to concurrent threats.
"This work should be conducted as a matter of urgency before the next Strategic Defence and Security Review (in three years' time)."
The remarks echo concerns raised by admiral Sir Mark Stanhope, the head of the Royal Navy and Sir Stephen Dalton, chief of the the Royal Air Force, who complained of a lack of resources during the campaign.
In June last year, Sir Mark said: "We might have to request the Government to make some challenging decisions about priorities," at the end of a six-month campaign.
His remarks, which revealed information to Gaddafi's forces, resulted in a dressing down at Number 10.
But, after the MoD announced plans to shed 32,000 service personnel and civilians by 2020, debate continues within Whitehall as to how effective the British armed forces - the fourth biggest in the world - will be in the future, even with a budget of �38bn a year.
This implies an over-reliance on the United States to support Nato missions, the MPs said.
"For the time being, there will still be a heavy reliance on US command and control functions for future operations. It should be a priority for Nato to examine this.
"However, while accepting the current economic climate and its implications for defence capabilities, we are concerned that future operations will not be possible if the US is not willing or able to provide capabilities such as unmanned aerial vehicles, intelligence and refuelling aircraft.
"It should be a priority for Nato to examine this over-reliance on US capabilities and assets.
"This challenge will be heightened by the US stated intention to shift its military, geographic and strategic focus to the Asia-Pacific region."
Philip Hammond , the Defence Secretary, responded: "This report highlights the success of our Armed Forces in saving thousands of civilian lives in Libya by taking action against the Gaddafi regime.
"The Libyan campaign shows that we retain the contingent capability to conduct operations in addition to our commitments in Afghanistan, counter-piracy off the Horn of Africa, Gulf security and standing tasks such as the Falklands and defence of the UK."
263 comments