The armed forces are to be reorganised to focus on countering new terrorist threats, the defence secretary told MPs yesterday.

Geoff Hoon said force structures must match the new threats of the post-September 11 world.

Armed forces could in future expect to be used against a "determined, mobile, often disparate and elusive enemy".

The new policy would be one of "detect, decide and destroy", Hoon said.

"It means being able to strike hard and fast, cutting down the enemy's time to think, plan and act," he added.

There will be more money for special forces investment in unmanned spy planes, and improved links between civilian authorities and the military in preparation for any terrorist attack on the UK.