UK urges ramped-up preparation for possible conflict with Russia
Britain wants, in particular, to increase citizens’ readiness for military service (Illustrative photo: Getty Images)
The UK must significantly strengthen its preparations to deter the threat of a possible conflict with Russia. This includes increasing citizens’ readiness for military service, boosting defense production, and developing necessary skills, states Chief of the Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton.
Speaking at an event hosted by the RUSI think tank, Knighton noted that Britain does not yet feel the Russian threat as acutely as many of our European allies, who have already stepped up defense procurement and, in some cases, returned to forms of national service.
According to him, Europe is trying to fill the gap left by US President Donald Trump’s demand that European countries take on the bulk of NATO’s conventional defense capabilities, especially in light of complex peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine.
“The Russian leadership has made clear that it wishes to challenge, limit, divide and ultimately destroy NATO,” Knighton said in his annual speech.
Britain’s plans to strengthen its military
The Chief of the Defence Staff of the UK asserts that the risk to NATO and the kingdom from Russia is increasing, and without public awareness of this threat, it will be difficult to expect decisive action from the government, businesses, and industry.
In this context, he emphasized the need to end the erosion of the British armed forces, ensure its leadership role in NATO, and win the race to implement new technologies in the military system.
Knighton also stated that, while the main goal remains avoiding war, Britain must encourage more people to be ready to serve in the regular army and reserves, expand industrial capacity for rearmament, and develop key defense-sector competencies.
“Sons and daughters, colleagues, veterans ... will all have a part to play. To build. To serve. And if necessary, to fight. And more families will know what sacrifice for our nation means,” he stressed.
Reuters notes that, meanwhile, Moscow claims it has no intention of attacking NATO.
Analysts point out that the UK is not ready for a prolonged war. European factories will need several years to reach the level of mass weapons production that Russia has.
Moreover, the commander of the British Royal Navy, First Sea Lord Ben Key Jenkin, warned that the UK is close to losing control of the Atlantic Ocean to Russia for the first time since the end of World War II.
