A TERRITORIAL Army (TA) base in the south will be axed – because it failed to sign up enough reservists.

The centre at Newport, on the Isle of Wight, is among 38 that will close by 2016 because it “seriously under-recruited”, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced.

Defence chiefs are targeting bases with fewer than 30 recruits.

The sites will probably be sold off, although the MoD will also examine whether they should be retained for “other military purposes”.

Would-be reservists will instead be urged to join surviving bases in Southampton and Winchester. There are four bases currently in both cities.

Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said the cull was necessary to “maximise the potential for future recruitment”.

The closures are part of a radical overhaul of the Territorial Army, in order to drive up reservist numbers from about 20,000 to 30,000 by 2018.

Reservists will receive military pensions and healthcare benefits, under a shake-up expected to cost around £1.8bn over the next decade.

Smaller firms that employ part-time soldiers will also receive an extra £500 per month when members of their staff are away on deployment.

And companies that discriminate against staff who want to serve will face action at employment tribunals – with possible legislation to ensure equal treatment in job applications.

Critics have attacked the proposals, calling it “an army on the cheap”, as the MoD will also reduce regular army numbers from 100,000 to 80,000.