AN Army brigade in Catterick could be affected when a shake-up announced by the Government begins to take effect.

A Defence White Paper, announced in the House of Commons by Geoff Hoon last Thursday, indicated British Forces will rely on technology rather than weight of numbers in future.

Equipped to deal with threats around the globe, rapid reaction forces are seen as the way forward - probably at the cost of heavy armour and artillery.

Mr Hoon confirmed armoured brigades will be cut from three to two.

It is also understood that 19 Mechanised Brigade, based at Catterick Garrison, will be designated a new light brigade, which would mean the unit's Challenger II tanks would be among those mothballed.

The brigade's heavy armour is provided by 2 Royal Tank Regiment, currently stationed in Germany. An Army spokesman said: "It is going to be a while before there is any clarity about what this all means anyway. Senior officers have until April to respond to the White Paper's recommendations, so nobody can say with certainty what is going on."

Mr Hoon was also reported to have pledged he would not reduce under-strength infantry units such as the King's Own Scottish Borderers, also based in Catterick, which is understood to be struggling with recruitment.

Fewer tanks and big guns appear inevitable and units such as Catterick's Queen's Royal Lancers would appear to have the most to fear.

Shadow Defence Secretary Nicholas Soames, said the Government may hold back on new equipment, such as the RAF's new multi-role aircraft the Typhoon, which was due to arrive at RAF Leeming to replace the Tornado F3 in 2007.