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Senior cabinet sources recently disclosed that the Chancellor believes the Army would be sufficient at its lowest level since the 1700s. Johnny Mercer, Conservative MP for Plymouth Moor

View, said: “Philip Hammond is deluded if he really believes this. “We couldn’t even fulfil our NATO commitments with an Army to 50,000, let alone mount a sustained defence of our nation or

its dependent territories.” He also told The Sun: “The Chancellor also appears to have forgotten that reducing the number of our troops by any number would completely breach our election

manifesto promise to maintain force levels made only in June.” The Chancellor's comments reportedly came during an exchange with former Defence Secretary Michael Fallon in front of

Theresa May at Downing Street. The fury from the ex-Army officer comes as Mr Hammond and newly-appointed Gavin Williamson are holding military talks following the latter’s calls for an extra

£2billion in the defence budget. Mr Hammond’s figure significantly falls behind the size of armies across Europe with France standing at 111,000, Italy at 99,000, Spain coming in at 77,000

and Germany’s 60,000. Britain’s Army currently sits at 78,000 – recruitment problems have prevented it from reaching its targeted standing strength of 82,000. Senior military officials

reportedly stated last night that a number of 50,000 would not allow the UK to initiate a large-scale invasion or peace-keeping operation again – it was also stated that any war could only

be sustained for six months. Over the weekend a furious Cabinet row broke out over military spending – with allies of Philip Hammond claiming the new Defence Secretary “does not know one end

of a rifle from the other”. Sources close to the Treasury are reportedly furious at Mr Williamson, who they claim has orchestrated a backbench rebellion against the Chancellor to force him

into offering more money for defence. RUSSIA AND JAPAN CONDUCT MILITARY DRILL AMID NORTH KOREA THREAT In return they have hit out at the minister’s lack of experience after being elevated to

the role following the resignation of Sir Michael Fallon. One source said: “When Williamson is in with all these grizzled old Forces types he just sits there looking like Private Pike from

Dad’s Army.” However allies of the Defence Secretary have hit back, claiming the Chancellor “oversaw damaging cuts to the armed forces” when he was in charge of the department. It comes amid

conflict between Conservatives over proposed cuts to the stretch armed forces, with MP James Gray urging Mr Hammond to “dig deep in his pockets” or face a “very substantial rebellion”. And

Tobias Ellwood, the hero MP of the Westminster Bridge attack who also served as a captain in the Royal Green jackets, is said to have privately threatened to resign over severe cuts. People

close to the Chancellor claim the outcry among MPs is a ploy by the newly appointed Defence Secretary. Speaking to the Mail on Sunday, one Hammond ally said: “Once a whip, always a whip.

It’s bogus. “We think Williamson is manipulating the party to put pressure on us by encouraging backbenchers to protest – so he can claim victory and win the respect of the Forces chiefs.

“All he is doing at the MoD is going around asking, ‘What would his predecessor Michael Fallon have done?’ GETTY Mr Hammond’s figure significantly falls behind the size of armies across

Europe “He knows nothing about how to run a big-spending department, and sweet FA about defence. “But he does know his way around the MPs.” Another added: “That boy doesn’t know one end of a

rifle from another.” GETTY The Chancellor's comments reportedly came during an exchange with Michael Fallon Allies of Mr Williamson, who caused shock among the defence community when

he replaced Sir Michael Fallon despite having no military experience, were quick to hit back. One said: “When Hammond was Defence Secretary, he oversaw damaging cuts to the Armed Forces,

leaving them in a parlous state. “He is now rightly nervous that a light is about to be shone on his poor record.”