Military chiefs should resign over defence cuts before British troops become America ’ s ‘ cannon fodder ’ , politicians and former top brass warned last night . Tory MP Colonel Bob Stewart , a member of the defence select committee , called for the Joint Chiefs to sacrifice their careers over plans to slash defence spending despite growing threats from Russia and Islamic State . Speaking at a meeting of the UK National Defence Association ( UKNDA ) , he said the generals should make the people they command their priority and resign on principle , instead of focusing their efforts on ‘ getting another star ’ . Colonel Bob Stewart , a former British commander in Bosnia , said Britain 's military forces were in a 'parlous state ' and could not take any further cuts . Later he said he was considering resigning himself , from either his seat or the select committee , adding : ‘ I ’ m thinking about it to be honest – but that won ’ t make any difference. ’ His comments came as it emerged more than 6,000 British troops are preparing to deploy under the command of an American unit as part of a high readiness reaction force . Fresh details emerged of future military operations after the head of the US army , General Raymond Odierno , said he was ‘ very concerned ’ about UK defence cuts . He told the Telegraph Britain will be demoted to a more junior role in future campaigns if spending is inadequate . David Cameron has resisted calls to make a public pledge not to cut military spending below 2 per cent - but had insisted he will not cut the size of the army any further . Former defence secretary Liam Fox has urged the Government not to cut military spending below 2 per cent . And yesterday , Sir Michael Graydon , former head of the RAF , said the idea of a UK brigade working under a 20,000-strong US division was ‘ humiliating ’ . Air Commodore Andrew Lambert added : ‘ The trouble with this is you provide the man power but with none of the authority . Why should we provide the man power – some people might call it cannon fodder – when what we would like to do is have a seat at the top table ? ’ During the meeting , former military top brass put pressure on the Government to commit Britain to meeting the Nato target of spending at least 2 per cent of national income on defence beyond 2016 – a prospect which looks unlikely . In a blistering attack on UK military spending – which has diminished as Russia ’ s defence capabilities increase – Sir Michael added : ‘ It is token already and if we start cutting it any more it becomes laughable. ’ Colonel Stewart , who commanded UN forces in Bosnia , said : ‘ If we are really [ in ] a parlous state in defence , why are the Joint Chiefs of Staff not tendering their resignations ? ‘ They should actually put their responsibilities to the people who they command as their top priority , rather than getting another star. ’ A damning report published by the UKNDA said that if Britain is forced into a conflict with Russia , our force levels are ‘ pitifully small ’ compared to those at the end of the Cold War . An MoD spokesman said : ‘ We will meet the 2 per cent Nato spending target this year and next and have also committed to spending £163billion on equipment and equipment support to keep Britain safe. ’ General Raymond Odierno , the Chief of Staff of the US army , last week warned he was 'very concerned ' about the scale of the Coalition 's military cuts .
MP Colonel Bob Stewart says US military forces are in a 'parlous state ' He said Britain 's military chiefs should be prepared to resign en masse . Call backed by former RAF head Air Chief Marshal Sir Michael Graydon . Comes amid clamour for David Cameron to ring fence military spending . UK General Raymond Odierno says he is 'worried ' by US defence spending .