British army cuts non-essential training exercises due to budget constraints

The British Army has told most of its UK-based units to stop non-essential training exercises because of budget problems. Units that are deployed overseas, or preparing to deploy, will continue training as normal. This includes soldiers going to Estonia, Cyprus, and the Falkland Islands. However, several exercises have already been cancelled. These include a Royal Tank Regiment live fire drill in Wales and a joint exercise using tanks and Apache helicopters. Large training areas like Salisbury Plain have also suspended major exercises. The Royal Navy and RAF have received similar instructions, but the impact on them is less serious. Extra funding of £2 billion has been promised, but it will not arrive until 2027. The cuts come despite government plans to increase overall defence spending.