The real problem facing Britain's depleted armed forces

A British nuclear-armed submarine spent nearly seven months underwater without fresh air or daylight.

The last eight patrols have all exceeded five months , as the navy 's ageing fleet of submarines requires more time in maintenance.

Troop numbers are down, morale is weak, and some ageing equipment is in a poor state.

The UK is supposed to be able to field tens of thousands of troops at short notice to defend Nato territory.

Defence Secretary John Healey claims it will lead to the "biggest shake up of UK defence for over 50 years " But past reviews have rarely lived up to expectation because the money available rarely matches ambitions.

Defence sources say the Army has now begun to test some of the new technology it wants to introduce.

MoD has set a recruiting goal of 30% women by 2030 , but they currently make up less than 12% of the regular armed forces.

Some governments have now introduced some form of conscription.

Analysts are looking at radical solutions - including the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the battlefield.

A large land war in Europe is now focusing minds.