UK defense chief tries to calm US fears about budget cuts

WASHINGTON 

Britain's defense chief on Wednesday tried to allay the U.S.’s concerns about the UK lowering its defense spending.

"Let me assure you the United Kingdom, like the United States, has no intention of lowering its guard," Michael Fallon said while speaking at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington-based think thank, before meeting with U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter.

During the past four years, the UK has reduced its defense spending by about 8 percent.

Last week, the U.S. Army’s top officer questioned Britain’s defense budget cuts and warned that it risked its fighting ability in future campaigns.

“I would be lying to you if I did not say that I am very concerned about the GDP investment in the UK,” Gen. Ray Odierno said in an interview with London’s Daily Telegraph.

NATO members agreed in 2002 to adopt defense spending at 2 percent of each country’s GDP.

In his address Wednesday, Fallon said the UK was committed to maintaining the 2 percent level this year and next.

"We can deploy a division in the field, with sufficient notice, and very few countries can still say that today," he said. "We have committed not to reduce our army any further and we are adding reserves," he added.