CIVILIAN jobs in the Ministry of Defence (MoD) are to be slashed by almost a third, a move that unions described as “devastating” yesterday.

The MoD’s civilian workforce will fall by almost 30 per cent to 41,000 in the next five years, with some services outsourced to private firms.

Civil servants’ union PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka warned that the cuts would force military staff to fill the gaps, which significantly undermines Tory claims to be committed to defence.

Maritime union RMT predicted over 600 job losses and privatisation at the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, which plays a supporting role to the navy.

The number of MoD civilian staff has fallen from 121,300 in 2000 to 85,800 in 2010, 58,200 this year and a projected 41,000 by 2020, a cut of around two-thirds, official figures showed.

And Prospect unon deputy general secretary Dai Hudd said the reduction was “devastating news, not just for jobs and skills but also for the UK’s ability to deliver the capabilities it needs on time and on budget.”