Guthrie: US is a key nation in Nato

"I think they are going to do less. If we don't do more, they are going to do much less."

But in his last interview before retiring later this week, Sir Charles insisted the proposed European rapid reaction force would complement not threaten the Nato alliance.

"We must keep (the United States) really leading the Nato alliance because they are the key nation," he said.

Political differences

But he acknowledged that France saw the proposed new European force as an alternative structure to Nato.

The United States fears that the 60,000-strong European Union force, due to be ready for deployment from 2003 in conflicts around Europe, could drive a wedge between Nato allies.

An EU force could act independently of Nato

The opposition Conservative party argue the plan will alienate American allies at the expense of Europe.

But Sir Charles said the force should not be used as a political football.

"It is not about being eurosceptical. It is not about being europhile. It is about what is right for our country."

US missile plans

Asked about the US plans for a National Missile Defence system, Sir Charles said he had been struck by the determination of the new administration in the US to press ahead with project.

"I have just been to Washington and I have talked to a lot of Americans about this. And they are going to do it, I feel absolutely sure they are going to do it," he said.

Under current US plans, the system would require the use of an early warning radar site at Fylingdales on the North Yorkshire moors.

Tory leader William Hague has pledged to support the plan, but government ministers have insisted they will not even consider whether to facilitate the project until firm proposals are put forward by the US.

No women on the frontline

In his final stand against political correctness, Sir Charles opposed allowing women into the frontline.

He said Britain was not ready to see women killed in battle.

At the moment women can serve in nearly all jobs in the RAF and in most jobs in the Navy except on submarines.

But they have been kept out of frontline army regiments. Sir Charles said that his job was not social engineering, but producing the best fighting forces possible.