Fears rise as army’s size plummets to record low of 72,510 – below Tories’ target of 73,000 by 2025

THE Army’s size has fallen to a record low — even faster than the Government planned.

Troop numbers nosedived to 72,510, below the Tories’ target of 73,000 by 2025.

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It came as alarm bells were ringing in Europe over Britain’s ability to fight a real war with its smallest Army for 300 years.

Generals and diplomats from three Nato powers warned “size matters” and stressed the UK “must have mass” if it hopes to deter Russia.

The US has also warned Britain that it will be unable to plug gaps if there is an all-out war.

General Randy George, head of the US Army, said: “If you are going to come to the fight, make sure you have every capability on the battlefield.”

The Sun revealed the Army’s budget has been slashed to cover RAF and Navy overspends.

The PM has promised to ramp up defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP by 2030.

But the Army’s coffers will be raided to the tune of hundreds of millions of pounds.

Defence spending fell from 2.47 per cent of GDP when the Tories took power in 2010 to 2.03 in 2015. It now stands at 2.3 per cent.

Shadow Defence Secretary John Healey accused the Government of “hollowing out” the forces.

He said: “The Conservatives have cut the Army to its smallest size since Napoleon. This is deeply negligent of Britain’s defence.”