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The review will determine the shape and size of British armed forces for the next generation
The crucial review of the UK's defence and security needs is being rushed through without sufficient consultation with industry and the public, MPs say.
The Commons defence committee said the review of future capabilities, the first since 1998, was taking place at a "startling" pace and risked mistakes.
It also said it was unclear how a successor to Trident would be paid for.
Ministers said in an "ideal world" the process would take longer but there was an urgent need to tackle the deficit.
Asked about the impact of the review - and expected future defence budget cuts - on troop morale, Defence Minister Nick Harvey said Afghanistan remained the UK's top priority and nothing would be done to "cause alarm" to front-line operations.
The coalition government has said the strategic defence and security review, which all three major parties backed before the election, will report before the end of the year.
The review is designed to look at the UK's role in the world, evolving threats to the country's interests, the nature of the UK's response to such threats and whether the armed forces are equipped to deal with future challenges.
Defence Secretary Liam Fox has insisted the review will be "comprehensive and coherent" and, despite it taking place against a backdrop of looming cuts in public spending, will be driven by strategic rather than financial considerations.
But analysing its progress to date, the cross-party committee of MPs said the review was being undertaken too quickly and there was a consequent risk of "serious mistakes" being made.
It highlighted what it said was a lack of consultation with the public, which it said was vital for maintaining support for future military operations, and with defence contractors.
Failure to engage with industry meant the UK's ability to deliver future military capabilities on time and on budget - whilst protecting vital manufacturing skills - was under question.
"We welcome the secretary of state's determination that this should be a real review rather than just a cost-cutting exercise," Tory MP James Arbuthnott, who chairs the committee, said.
"However, we are not yet convinced that the combination of a budgetary strait-jacket, the short timescale and the apparent unwillingness by the ministry to think outside existing structures, for example with regard to the more integrated use of reservists, will deliver that end."
He added: "Lack of consultation with the public also means that the review represents a missed opportunity to reconnect the people of the country with defence issues."
The committee also called for clarification of how a next generation Trident, the UK's nuclear deterrent - which is not included in the review but subject to a separate value for money exercise - would be funded.
The Treasury has said the costs must be met by the Ministry of Defence, which analysts say will put further strain on its resources at a time when the UK is fighting a protracted war in Afghanistan.
Mr Harvey acknowledged the pace of the review was influenced by economic circumstances but said it was a "big picture" exercise that drew on debate that had been going on for some time.
"I can only say in an ideal world we would be taking longer over it but this is not an ideal world.
"It is a world in which we have a £150bn deficit and all the big departments of government have to tackle that as the matter of the most urgent priority."
On Trident, he stressed: "There are big debates to be had about Trident replacement and the size of the budget but they don't impact on the current spending round and what departments will have for the next four years."
Labour said the report confirmed its fears that the review was happening with "reckless speed" and was being led by the Treasury not the Ministry of Defence.
"The government needs to put the brakes on and make sure it is driven by our long-term strategic needs, not allowed to become a cost-cutting farce," shadow defence secretary Bob Ainsworth said.
"This review will be crucial to the future defence of our nation - the government must get it right and start listening."
This article is from the BBC News website. ? British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
The review will determine the shape and size of British armed forces for the next generation The crucial review of the UK's defence and security needs is being rushed through without sufficient consultation with industry and the public, MPs say.
The Commons defence committee said the review of future capabilities, the first since 1998, was taking place at a "startling" pace and risked mistakes.
It also said it was unclear how a successor to Trident would be paid for.
Ministers said in an "ideal world" the process would take longer but there was an urgent need to tackle the deficit.
Asked about the impact of the review - and expected future defence budget cuts - on troop morale, Defence Minister Nick Harvey said Afghanistan remained the UK's top priority and nothing would be done to "cause alarm" to front-line operations.
“Lack of consultation with the public also means that the review represents a missed opportunity to reconnect the people of the country with defence issues”
James Arbuthnot Defence Committee chairman The review is designed to look at the UK's role in the world, evolving threats to the country's interests, the nature of the UK's response to such threats and whether the armed forces are equipped to deal with future challenges.
Defence Secretary Liam Fox has insisted the review will be "comprehensive and coherent" and, despite it taking place against a backdrop of looming cuts in public spending, will be driven by strategic rather than financial considerations.
But analysing its progress to date, the cross-party committee of MPs said the review was being undertaken too quickly and there was a consequent risk of "serious mistakes" being made.
It highlighted what it said was a lack of consultation with the public, which it said was vital for maintaining support for future military operations, and with defence contractors.
Failure to engage with industry meant the UK's ability to deliver future military capabilities on time and on budget - whilst protecting vital manufacturing skills - was under question.
"We welcome the secretary of state's determination that this should be a real review rather than just a cost-cutting exercise," Tory MP James Arbuthnott, who chairs the committee, said.
"However, we are not yet convinced that the combination of a budgetary strait-jacket, the short timescale and the apparent unwillingness by the ministry to think outside existing structures, for example with regard to the more integrated use of reservists, will deliver that end."
He added: "Lack of consultation with the public also means that the review represents a missed opportunity to reconnect the people of the country with defence issues."
The committee also called for clarification of how a next generation Trident, the UK's nuclear deterrent - which is not included in the review but subject to a separate value for money exercise - would be funded.
The Treasury has said the costs must be met by the Ministry of Defence, which analysts say will put further strain on its resources at a time when the UK is fighting a protracted war in Afghanistan.
Mr Harvey acknowledged the pace of the review was influenced by economic circumstances but said it was a "big picture" exercise that drew on debate that had been going on for some time.
"I can only say in an ideal world we would be taking longer over it but this is not an ideal world.
"It is a world in which we have a £150bn deficit and all the big departments of government have to tackle that as the matter of the most urgent priority."
On Trident, he stressed: "There are big debates to be had about Trident replacement and the size of the budget but they don't impact on the current spending round and what departments will have for the next four years."
Labour said the report confirmed its fears that the review was happening with "reckless speed" and was being led by the Treasury not the Ministry of Defence.
"The government needs to put the brakes on and make sure it is driven by our long-term strategic needs, not allowed to become a cost-cutting farce," shadow defence secretary Bob Ainsworth said.
"This review will be crucial to the future defence of our nation - the government must get it right and start listening."
This article is from the BBC News website. ? British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.