The UK's Ministry of Defence is preparing to order a formal review of equipment programmes that could lead to billions of pounds' worth of orders being shelved or delayed. This follows a budget crisis that has left the ministry struggling to balance its books.

The big contracts slated for the review include a £1bn (€1.25bn, $1.98bn) programme for the next generation of Lynx helicopters, as well as contracts for new Astute submarines, Type 45 destroyers and armoured vehicles, according to defence officials.