Hagel: 'Difficult choices' for US military

Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel has unveiled plans to shrink the US Army to its smallest size since before World War Two.

At a Monday news conference, Mr Hagel said technological advances in defence by other countries and US budget cuts meant the country's military overall had to adjust.

"We chose further reductions in troop strength and force structure in every military service - active and reserve - in order to sustain our readiness and technological superiority, and to protect critical capabilities like Special Operations Forces and cyber resources," Mr Hagel said.