The United Kingdom Should Prepare for Conflict within Three Years, cautions New Army Leader
In his inaugural address as head of the Army, General Sir Roland Walker warned that Britain must ready itself for war within the next three years.
Speaking at the RUSI Land and Warfare conference, he highlighted the looming threat from what he termed as the ‘axis of upheaval’ and emphasized the need for the Army to increase its combat capabilities twofold by 2027.
General Walker stressed the importance of enhancing the Army’s fighting power, stating that by doubling and then tripling their strength, they could effectively overpower an adversary thrice their size. This, he believes, will ensure readiness to confront and defeat any opposition, boosting morale among soldiers and encouraging retention within the Army.
He also pointed out the advancements made by their Ukrainian counterparts in this aspect, achieving significant outcomes.
The Growing Threat from the ‘Axis of Upheaval’
General Walker’s concerns about the ‘axis of upheaval’ primarily encompass nations such as Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea.
Specifically, he speculated that China might undertake hostile actions against Taiwan before 2027, while also cautioning about potential retaliatory measures by Russia against Western powers supporting Ukraine in the ongoing conflict.
Moreover, the escalating nuclear capabilities of North Korea and Iran pose additional threats that must be carefully monitored.
To bolster the British Army’s defense, General Walker stressed the need for modernizing warfare strategies to enable precise long-range attacks on targets.
He highlighted the necessity of moving away from an outdated ‘big army’ mentality, where sheer numbers of troops dictated strength, towards building a more integrated and potent joint force leveraging advanced technologies.
Addressing Current Challenges and Reforms
This address follows comments by Defence Secretary John Healey, who described the current state of the Army as ‘hollowed out’ due to issues such as procurement inefficiencies and declining morale.
Responding to these concerns, the government has initiated a defense review to evaluate the armed forces’ capabilities and requirements in the face of evolving threats.
General Walker expressed hope that this review would delve into the root causes behind public reluctance towards military engagements and spark essential dialogues on national defense strategies.
Amidst these developments, a group of former defense and security experts, known as the New Bletchley Network, emphasized the urgent need for the British Army to genuinely prepare for potential conflicts to deter emerging threats.
They raised alarms over the dwindling army reserves in recent years, warning that it had fallen below ‘national critical mass,’ underscoring the imperative for proactive readiness.
These discussions coincide with debates on conscription to counter Russian provocations, highlighting the pressing need to fortify the nation’s defense mechanisms.
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