The UK is to decommission 31 helicopters earlier than planned, said John Healey, Secretary of State for Defence of the United Kingdom in a statement yesterday.

Fourteen Chinook and 17 Puma helicopters were previously expected to have a few more flying years before retirement, but were part of a wide-ranging scrapping plan targeted at saving £500 Million.

Critics said the decision would leave UK defence weaker at a time when growing international tensions would logically demand more.

Shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge said the Government was “scrapping capabilities just as the threats to our nation are growing”.

Also part of the “early retirement plan” are one frigate, two amphibious assault ships, two naval tankers and the Watchkeeper fixed wing drone program.