British Defense Secretary Liam Fox is expected to announce a major troop reduction for the British Army.

Fox will tell the House of Commons that the regular Army will shrink to its smallest size in 110-years. The Army will reduce its ranks by at least 17,000 people, to just above 80,000 active duty members.

The force reduction will mean a larger dependence on reserve troops.

Secretary Fox told Sky News the changes are meant to bring the ratio of regular to reserve troops in line with that of international allies.

Sky News reports 35% of both the United States and Canadian military forces are reservists.