Anti-agreement unionists have condemned reports that the number of British soldiers in the North will fall to its lowest level since 1969 under demilitarisation plans.
If a deal is reached to restore the Stormont Assembly and Executive, the British government plans to reduce troop levels to 5,000 within the next three years, according to the BBC. At the height of the conflict in 1972, there were 27,000 British soldiers in the North. There are currently around 12,500 troops.
There would also be only 14 British army bases left by 2005. Before the 1994 ceasefires, there were 105 bases but the number has since fallen to 57. British army headquarters at Theipval Barracks in Lisburn, Co Down; Palace Barracks in Holywood, Co Down; Ballykinlar in Co Down; and Ballykelly in Co Derry would be among those remaining.
Sources stressed that the demilitarisation plans would only be implemented if a deal to restore devolution was reached by the North's political parties within the next month.
The proposals also involve the dismantling of 10 of the remaining British army watchtowers along the south Armagh border.
Two would be removed immediately and the rest would be dismantled by the end of next year, according to the BBC.
The DUP Assembly member, Mr Ian Paisley jnr, strongly condemned the plans.
"I am totally disgusted with them. They are disgraceful. They represent a complete capitulation to the IRA."
An Ulster Unionist spokesman said: "This is an interesting piece of speculation. If there is a shred of truth in it, it must be borne in mind that these developments can only occur after there have been genuine acts of completion."