The treasuries of both countries oppose bigger defence spending, and rightly so.

Both nations have similar military capabilities but are facing budgetary pressures and want to cut defence spending.

Alright, we were also cutting back heavily on defence spending to balance the books.

The disclosure comes as the government faces pressure to divert money to protect defence spending.

The cuts to our defence spending are a setback to our national self-image of the part that Britain should play in the world.