'UK defence cut could affect special relationship with US'

London, Sep 13(ANI): The United States has reportedly warned the United Kingdom that inflicting deep cuts on the armed forces could threaten the 'special relationship' between the two countries.

According to the Telegraph, the Pentagon has told senior British officials that the US was worried that the cuts could widen the divide in military power and spending.

The warning could put new pressure Prime Minister David Cameron to limit planned cuts in Britain's defence capabilities.

It is believed that the 37 billion pounds a year defence budget could be cut by almost a fifth as the Treasury squeezes public spending.

Michele Flournoy, the under-secretary for policy at the Pentagon, had telephoned MoD's Strategy Director Tom McKane to raise the issue.

"The Americans are sympathetic, but it's fair to say they have some fairly serious concerns about where we will end up," the newspaper quoted a Whitehall source, as saying.

Meanwhile, Andy Smith, of the UK National Defence Association, said that the defence review was emerging as "a Treasury-led process" that could endanger the relationship with the US.

"The Americans have been alarmed about this for some time and rightly so. Our forces are already underfunded and struggling to keep up with up the Americans," Smith said. (ANI)