THE Army is battling “mad” plans for yet more cuts from MoD bean counters who think tanks are dead.
Top civil servants have urged Defence Secretary Ben Wallace to axe the Army’s Challenger tanks, slash the number of infantry and rely on EU troops instead.
A top source told The Sun: “It feels like madness, with a war in Europe, to be cutting hollow forces even further.”
It comes as Top Brass warned that Britain will be unable to meet its Nato commitments “where Nato needs us most” unless the strapped Army gets a much-needed cash injection.
It is set to shrink to 73,000 despite a Tory pledge not to cut the forces.
Thousands more infantry troops could be axed as focus shifts to artillery and long-range rockets and drones used in Ukraine.
PM Rishi Sunak pledged an extra £5billion for defence in March, but £3billion went on revamping the Trident nuclear deterrent.
The rest went on replenishing ammo and kit for Ukraine.
Labour has pledged to keep the Army at its current strength. A source said: “Ukraine is a salutary reminder that Europe is under threat.”
Plans for an overhaul will result in hundreds of infantry troops getting new roles.
They will be moved to operate long-range rocket artillery and air defence systems.
Civil servants have argued Britain cannot afford an Army at its current size and should rely on EU forces and invest in ships and planes instead.
Meanwhile, General Sir Richard Barrons, former commander of joint forces, said the war in Ukraine had made missiles a top priority.
The MoD said a new Defence Command Paper will “set out our vision to ensure the UK remains ready to deter adversaries”.
It added: “We will not be drawn on speculation.”
