Henry Bolton emphasized that Europe is facing its largest conflict since World War II, calling the government's failure to prepare armed forces "stupidity" and putting the UK in a "very, very difficult place." He highlighted the threats posed by Russia, not just in conventional warfare but also through cyber-attacks involving underwater internet cables, indicating that the government is negligent if they continue to ignore these warning signs.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves stated that any increases in defense spending would have to come from existing budgets, affirming that there is no "magic pot" of money. She outlined Labour's commitment to raising military spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2030, equating to an extra £20 billion annually, while warning that this would impact other essential services like hospitals and schools significantly.
Admiral Sir Tony Radakin warned that the UK faces many dilemmas in a developing "third nuclear age." He noted the potential for rapid military escalation and expressed concern that if the British Army were to engage in a conflict similar to Ukraine's, the army could be decimated within 6 to 12 months. He emphasized the critical need for combat readiness.
Collection
[
|
...
]