Ben Wallace warns Rishi Sunak he must deliver on a pledge to spend more on the armed forces after he announced he is quitting as Defence Secretary

Ben Wallace last night fired a warning shot at the Prime Minister – just days after announcing he is quitting his post.

The Defence Secretary, who is stepping down in September, warned Rishi Sunak he must deliver on a pledge to spend more on the Armed Forces.

It came as numbers in the ranks are set to plummet even further.

The Prime Minister has said he will increase the defence budget to 2.5 per cent of GDP – but he has not said when. Both Mr Sunak and Chancellor Jeremy Hunt insist the economic conditions must be right for such a spending increase.

Mr Wallace made it clear yesterday that he is not going to let Mr Sunak forget his commitment. 

Inspired by the Ukrainian army’s defence of its country, and successful use of drones, the UK is introducing artificial intelligence across the Armed Forces. It plans to use more drones and uncrewed, battery-powered vehicles, e-bikes, laser weapons systems and virtual reality, and is considering nuclear power to recharge batteries on the frontline

Ben Wallace pictured leaving after British Prime Minister Liz Truss’ first cabinet meeting, at 10 Downing Street in London, Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2022

He said: ‘It is important everyone sticks to the pledges they have made. The Prime Minister and the Chancellor of the Exchequer have a duty to assess the wider conditions.

‘They have recognised defence needs a greater share of public spending and that is a cultural change. There is also a commitment from this Prime Minister to 2.5 per cent.’

Mr Wallace announced on Sunday he intends to leave his post as Defence Secretary after four years. 

He has overseen Operation Pitting, the emergency evacuation of thousands from Afghanistan following a Taliban coup, and led this country’s military support for Ukraine.

His ambition to become the next secretary-general of Nato was dashed by US President Joe Biden who, despite pressure from the UK, refused to support his candidacy.

Mr Wallace, 53, was previously security minister and has acknowledged the impact politics has had on his personal life, including the break-up of his marriage.

Asked what his legacy would be when he steps down, he said it would be a ‘modern, more lethal Army’. 

But the Army is smaller than it has been for centuries. It will be confirmed in the House of Commons today that it is to shrink to just 73,000 by 2025 – from 76,000 this year.

The much-anticipated cut and the shocking shortage of tanks ready to deploy – just 40, according to estimates – have led to accusations that this country is ‘hiding behind its allies’.

Mr Wallace was speaking at the launch of a review of UK military tactics and spending priorities based on the conflict in Ukraine.

Many military lessons have been learned since Russia’s invasion in February 2022. This has inspired some low-tech and high-tech responses to the threats posed by Vladimir Putin.

Mr Wallace has held the position of Defence Secretary for over four years 

Throughout the war, the Ukrainians have made an art of refashioning weapon systems and missiles to serve different purposes.

Direct lessons are also being learned by studying Russian vehicles brought to the UK from Ukraine. 

The Chief of the Defence Staff, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, said: ‘We have scientists that unpick the detail at a forensic level, that helps us understand how we can defeat their equipment, how we can have better armour, how can we disrupt their communications and how we ensure we penetrate their defences.’

Last night the Ministry of Defence said it will spend £2.5 billion to replenish stockpiles of weapon systems donated to Ukraine. And £400 million from its budget will be ring-fenced to pay for improving accommodation offered to troops.