The BBC Reports 14/2/11

RAF 'to cut back on a quarter of trainee pilots' All three military services are facing cuts following last year's strategic defence review The paper said that with some just a few flying hours away from gaining their wings, the move would cost £300m in completed training and redundancy.

The Ministry of Defence would not comment directly on the report but said all three services were facing cuts.

'Priority areas'

The MoD said last year's strategic defence and security review (SDSR) had already outlined cost-cutting measures in the forces.

A spokesman said: "The SDSR has already made clear there will be a reduction in the number of assets and airframes across all three services, and that the RAF would be reduced by around 5,000 personnel to a total of about 33,000 by 2015.

"However, any reductions in the RAF will not affect operations in Afghanistan and priority areas of capability will not be compromised."

The Telegraph said head of training Air Vice Marshal Mark Green would visit each of the RAF's three flying schools to pass on the news.

Up to 20 fast jet pilots, 30 helicopter pilots and 50 transport aircraft pilots are said to face the axe.

Meanwhile, the Times has reported that the cost of scrapping military equipment as a result of the SDSR was £12bn.

The aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal and the Harrier jump jet fleet were among the casualties of the cuts.

The figure will be revealed to Parliament by Treasury Chief Secretary Danny Alexander on Monday, the paper said.