DAVID Cameron unveiled the hotly contested Defence Review this afternoon - and faced allegations that the cuts turned Britain into a second-class power.

HMS Ark Royal, the Royal Navy's last surviving strike carrier, will be retired immediately and the number of frigates and destroyers reduced to a mere 19 vessels.

The Army will end its 60 year commitment to the defence of Germany, numbers will be cut by 7,000, and the number of heavy tanks cut by 40 per cent.

However, no infantry regiments will be abolished as a result of the review.

Although last minute negotiations have saved the RAF's Tornados the iconic Harrier jump jet will be withdrawn and manpower cut by 5,000.

The Government has also postponed making a decision on the independent nuclear deterrent.

The navy will get its two aircraft carriers, albeit the first will operate without any aircraft for sometime, but one will be placed in mothballs immediately.

The other will be fitted with the catapaults that will enable it to operate a cheaper version of the new joint strike fighter aircraft.

The Prime Minister said the navy will also look to buy cheaper warships in future.