Britain has condemned other EU countries - most notable Germany, Italy and Spain - for not sending troops to Afghanistan's front line.
Whilst Britain isn't scared to send troops to war - it sent 46,000 soldiers to Iraq in 2003 and even then has thousands stationed in Afghanistan - other large European countries, such as France and Germany, have sent no troops to Iraq and not enough to Afghanistan, meaning Britain has to send yet more troops to that country.
Of the 24 European members of NATO only a measly 6 of them (including Britain) spend more than NATO's 2% target of GDP on defence. Germany, Italy and Spain spend only 1.5% of their GDP on defence, compared to 2.5% for Britain and 4% for America
Tory MP James Arbuthnot ... Afghan success 'essential'
EU 'bottlers' rap from British MPs
By GRAEME WILSON
The Sun
The United States and Britain are the two countries that spend the most on defence. France is third although, unlike Britain, the budget of its police force is included in its defence spending
MPs will today launch an attack on major EU countries including Germany, Spain and Italy, for failing to send troops to the frontline in Afghanistan.
In a damning report, the Commons Defence Select Committee will say the lack of support is a “severe threat” to the crucial military alliance between Europe and the US.
The report says NATO’s future “depends on a perception of a shared danger”.
Failure against the Taliban would “deal a severe blow to allied unity”.
The MPs will demand that EU countries spend more on their defence budgets.
Only six of the 24 European countries in NATO meet its target of spending two per cent of national wealth on defence.
Germany, Spain and the Netherlands spend less than 1.5 per cent.
In contrast, Britain spends nearly 2.5 per cent and the U.S nearly four per cent.
In a bleak assessment, the report warns: “We are concerned that an alliance with such large and growing discrepancies in defence spending will not be sustainable in the long term.”
Committee chairman Tory MP James Arbuthnot said: “Success in Afghanistan is essential.
Failure would be a huge blow to the Alliance’s credibility. NATO allies need to commit more troops.”
thesun.co.uk
Whilst Britain isn't scared to send troops to war - it sent 46,000 soldiers to Iraq in 2003 and even then has thousands stationed in Afghanistan - other large European countries, such as France and Germany, have sent no troops to Iraq and not enough to Afghanistan, meaning Britain has to send yet more troops to that country.
Of the 24 European members of NATO only a measly 6 of them (including Britain) spend more than NATO's 2% target of GDP on defence. Germany, Italy and Spain spend only 1.5% of their GDP on defence, compared to 2.5% for Britain and 4% for America
Tory MP James Arbuthnot ... Afghan success 'essential'
EU 'bottlers' rap from British MPs
By GRAEME WILSON
The Sun
The United States and Britain are the two countries that spend the most on defence. France is third although, unlike Britain, the budget of its police force is included in its defence spending
MPs will today launch an attack on major EU countries including Germany, Spain and Italy, for failing to send troops to the frontline in Afghanistan.
In a damning report, the Commons Defence Select Committee will say the lack of support is a “severe threat” to the crucial military alliance between Europe and the US.
The report says NATO’s future “depends on a perception of a shared danger”.
Failure against the Taliban would “deal a severe blow to allied unity”.
The MPs will demand that EU countries spend more on their defence budgets.
Only six of the 24 European countries in NATO meet its target of spending two per cent of national wealth on defence.
Germany, Spain and the Netherlands spend less than 1.5 per cent.
In contrast, Britain spends nearly 2.5 per cent and the U.S nearly four per cent.
In a bleak assessment, the report warns: “We are concerned that an alliance with such large and growing discrepancies in defence spending will not be sustainable in the long term.”
Committee chairman Tory MP James Arbuthnot said: “Success in Afghanistan is essential.
Failure would be a huge blow to the Alliance’s credibility. NATO allies need to commit more troops.”
thesun.co.uk