Gates: UK armed forces have 'limited' capabilities

The former United States defence secretary Robert Gates has told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that cuts to the UK's defence budget mean the country's armed forces have "limited" capabilities.

He explained to presenter Justin Webb that whereas in the past the United States "could count on" the British forces "to perform a variety of missions", this is no longer the case.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Thursday 16 January 2014.