Prospect, which represents 12,000 defence specialists, has called for a strategic defence review and a parliamentary inquiry before devastating plans for more than 9,000 job losses are put in place by MOD.

The union says proposed cuts to the Defence Equipment and Support organisation workforce from 28,000 to 19,000 plus cuts elsewhere in the department will cut the direct supply chain to the front line and clothing, equipment, accommodation and training will all be affected.

"Operational demands on the army increase day-by-day but logistics support to the armed forces is to be slashed by a third," said Steve Jary, Prospect national secretary.

He said random, Treasury-driven cuts and transfers to industry were taking place all over MOD. "The MOD is literally disintegrating before our eyes. Government must act now to re-balance the demands for support to the army, navy and air force."

Jary said morale in the department was deteriorating fast – with 50 per cent of civilian MOD staff wanting to leave. "They have had enough of constant change, lack of appreciation for their skills and experience and the fear that it can only get worse. No-one seems concerned about the impact of all this on professional, highly skilled civil servants who support the military and enable them to operate.

"These staff are vital to providing the backup needed for service personnel, but who now face the added distraction of uncertainty over their own futures while juggling the extra demands being placed on them."

MOD is set to announce a voluntary redundancy scheme early in 2008.