Germany set for troop cuts

GERMANY is likely to cut the number of its troops from 250,000 to save money, it was announced yesterday.

Defence minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg said that "a decrease will be part of the debate" on how to reduce Germany's budget deficit. He refused to speculate on how many troops may be cut.

Mr Guttenberg said such "bitter news" is necessary given budget constraints amid the global economic downturn.

Mr Guttenberg has proposed trimming 1 billion from current 31bn defence budget.