Colchester garrison has escaped unscathed in the latest round of defence cuts.

Four infantry battalions including one from the Parachute Regiment are to be axed in a major restructuring of the Army, Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon announced yesterday.

The "highly trained manpower" released from the Parachute Regiment battalion based in Kent will form the core of a new "ranger" unit, which will be trained and equipped to provide direct support for the Special Forces.

The Para battalions based in Colchester are not subject to any changes.

Mr Hoon said: "These plans will make the Army more robust and resilient, able to deploy, support and sustain the enduring expeditionary operations that are essential for a more complex and uncertain world.

"The move to larger, multi-battalion regiments that these changes bring about is the only sustainable way in which to structure the infantry for the long term."

There are still fears the Parachute Regiment band will be merged in future cost-cutting moves.

Published Friday, December 17, 2004

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