The United Kingdom may need to make “different choices and different priorities” as it faces escalating threats from Russia, according to the country’s chief of defence staff.
Sir Richard Knighton issued the warning during an appearance on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, where he described the current moment as “the most dangerous period” in decades and said the nation must prepare for potential “longer conflicts.”
He pointed to Russian tactics including cyber attacks, technology smuggling, reckless sabotage, and assassination attempts as methods being used to probe and challenge Western defences. Sir Richard also stated that Britain needs to increase investment in drone technology, as such systems are “going to be increasingly important in the future of warfare.”
“In my 35-year career, this is the most dangerous period that I have known, and as a consequence, it is important that we enhance the capability and the readiness of our armed forces alongside our allies to deter our adversaries from doing something daft,” he said. “Over the last two decades we have been preparing for shorter wars and for conflicts that are confined and limited, what we need to ready ourselves for is potentially much greater, longer conflicts, as we’ve seen in Ukraine.”
Earlier this week, Defence Secretary John Healy told members of Parliament that Prime Minister Keir Starmer hopes to unveil the UK’s long-awaited defence investment plan before the Nato summit scheduled for July 7 in Turkey.
The urgency of the threat was underscored last Friday when Russian drones struck a block of flats in Romania, landing on Nato’s doorstep. The incident prompted Romania’s foreign minister to call for the triggering of Article 4, which allows for emergency consultations among member nations. The attack drew widespread international condemnation, with Sir Keir describing it as a “serious violation of Nato airspace.”
The Prime Minister has vowed that the forthcoming blueprint for Britain’s defence spending will represent “another step up” in military expenditure. The Defence Investment Plan is set to be released prior to the Nato summit in Turkey beginning July 7.
The plan has faced delays since last year due to disagreements within the Cabinet over costs, according to reporting by The Times. The proposed boost to defence spending has been valued at more than £18 billion, though Chancellor Rachel Reeves and the Prime Minister are reportedly considering reducing the amount amid concerns about affordability.
Speaking during a visit to a defence contractor in Wiltshire, Sir Keir said the investment plan would provide the necessary funding for the “capability” outlined in last year’s Strategic Defence Review.
“That is the plan that says here’s the money that goes with the capability,” the Prime Minister said during a speech at the visit. We bring the two together, and it is another step up, it is another increase in spending, but it is necessary, it’s the right thing to do to defend our country.”
Sir Keir added: “That will now be published before the Nato summit, which is in just a few weeks’ time.”