One in five British soldiers ‘not fit for duty’

New figures cast doubt on strength of British Army as Tory MPs threaten revolt

British army soldiers
(Image credit: Dan Kitwood/AFP/Getty Images)

The number of British soldiers fit for action has fallen to just 60,000, with one in five troops unable to undertake full combat duties due to illness or injury.

A total of 18,000 soldiers currently suffer from physical or mental illness, lack of fitness or could only be deployed on certain operations, new figures show.

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