Richard Knighton, the UK’s chief of the defence staff, tells a House of Lords committee that the Ministry of Defence will need to “dial back” military operations and exercises in the coming years if it does not receive additional funding. Knighton says he is “most concerned” about the budgeting for day-to-day activities, indicating that current financial pressures could limit routine operational tempo rather than only long-term planning. The remarks are made in what the Guardian describes as Knighton’s first public appearance since the resignation of John Healey as defence secretary last week. Breaking Defense similarly reports that Knighton highlights concerns about day-to-day operations spending. The committee comments frame the issue as a funding decision affecting operational and training activities, with the chief urging that without extra resources from Downing Street and the Treasury, the UK’s military activity level may be reduced over the next few years. The statements do not specify the size or exact form of the planned reductions, focusing instead on the link between budget availability and the ability to sustain both operations and exercises.