The announcement in the House of Commons comes as Boris Johnson said that overhauling the armed forces will make them "more valuable" to the UK's allies, as well as acting as a deterrent to the nation's "foes".

During a visit to BAE Systems in Preston, the Prime Minister told reporters: "What we are doing is giving them the kit now that they will need to make themselves all the more useful, all the more, I'm afraid, lethal, and effective around the world.

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