UK first-class defence player - PM

Britain is a "first-class player" in defence terms, David Cameron said today as he dismissed claims by a former US defence secretary that s pending cuts have left the UK diminished on the world stage as "wrong".

Robert Gates said the erosion in Britain's capabilities had reduced its ability to be a "full partner" to the United States across the whole range of military operations.

But the Prime Minister insisted that the UK's defence budget remained the fourth largest globally and more investment was being made to enhance its future capabilities.

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