The Labour Party has accused the government of delaying an announcement on cuts to the British Army until today in order to allow the prime minister to bathe in the "reflected glory" of the military during Armed Forces Day last Sunday.
The claim was made following the statement in the Commons from defence secretary Philip Hammond that the regular Army will be cut from 102,000 troops to 82,000 by the end of the decade - its lowest level since the Napoleonic Wars.
Shadow defence secretary Jim Murphy said the move was "totally short of strategic context" and would leave the UK unable to mount a large long-term deployment along the lines of Iraq or Afghanistan again even if it wanted to.
"The prime minister's behaviour has been cycnical and should never be repeated," he said. "This statement has been delayed deliberately to spare the prime minister's blushes during Armed Forces Day."
"He sought the reflected glory of the heros while preparing to cut the prestige that they embody."
Hammond told glum looking MPs thatThe Army is to lose 17 major units in the biggest overhaul of the service for decades.
The defence secretary insisted the changes were needed to create a "balanced, capable and adaptable force" for the future.
Among the units to go are four infantry battalions - the 2nd Battalion the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, the 2nd Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards), the 3rd Battalion the Mercian Regiment, and the 2nd Battalion the Royal Welsh.
A fifth, the 5th Battalion the Royal Regiment of Scotland (Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders) will be reduced to a public duties company to carry out public duties in Scotland.
The Armoured Corps will be reduced by two units with the merger of the Queen's Royal Lancers and the 9th/12th Royal Lancers and the 1st and 2nd Tank Regiments amalgamating.
There will also be reductions in the number of units in the Royal Artillery, the Royal Engineers, the Army Air Corps, the Royal Logistic Corps, the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers and the Royal Military Police.
The changes - to be completed by the end of the decade - will see the regular Army cut from 102,000 to 82,000 while the Territorial Army will be expanded to give a combined force of 120,000.
"After inheriting a massive overspend from the last Government, we have had to make tough decisions to implement our vision of a formidable, adaptable and flexible armed forces," Hammond said.
"After a decade of enduring operations, we need to transform the Army and build a balanced, capable and adaptable force ready to face the future.
"Army 2020 will create a more flexible and agile Army. Unlike the past, it will be set on a firm foundation of men and material, well trained, well equipped and fully funded.
"The regimental system will remain the bedrock of the Army's fighting future."
Hammond also dismissed as "rubbish" claims by Labour MP and member of the defence select committee Madeline Moon that the reliance on reserves was dangerous.
"How can we be sure this country is going to be able to defend itself with such a high reserve we have no assurance will actually be there," Moon said.
But Hammond said the UK had the "fourth highest defence budget in the world" and the reserves would be properly resourced.