UK military officials have warned of the growing threat posed by Russia's 'formidable' army, which has become significantly more lethal since its invasion of Ukraine. Lt Gen Mike Elviss, commander of NATO's Allied Rapid Reaction Corps (ARRC), stated that Russia is now a more formidable foe than when it invaded Ukraine, highlighting concerns about Britain's defence capabilities.
Key Takeaways
UK military officials warn of the growing threat posed by Russia's 'formidable' army, which has become significantly more lethal since its invasion of Ukraine. The warning comes amid concerns about Britain's defence capabilities and a potential increase in defence spending.
- UK Lt Gen Mike Elviss warns that Russia is now a more formidable foe than when it invaded Ukraine
- NATO war games simulate Russian invasion of Baltic states, highlighting drone shortages
- UK considers £18bn defence boost over four years to modernize military capabilities
According to The Guardian, the ARRC conducted war games in a disused London Underground station, simulating a Russian invasion of Estonia in 2030. The exercise revealed that the UK would run out of drones within days if a full-scale war erupted tomorrow. Lt Gen Elviss emphasized the need for increased defence spending to modernize military capabilities and address critical shortages.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper warned that Russian losses on the battlefield in Ukraine were making the Kremlin 'more reckless and dangerous'. She stressed the need for greater defence investment, stating that 'any lingering cosy assumptions about our defence and security are gone' (Sky News). The UK is reportedly considering an £18bn defence boost over four years to rearm the military.
The war games also highlighted the importance of artificial intelligence (AI) in modern warfare. Lt Gen Elviss noted that AI is crucial for speeding up decision-making and target acquisition, following the lead of Israeli and US militaries (Daily Mail). The exercise demonstrated how civilian infrastructure can be requisitioned for military use in a time of war.
The UK's defence capabilities have been exposed as inadequate during the wargame, with commanders imagining they would need more than 5,000 drones daily to stand a chance against a Russian force. However, the British army currently only has hundreds of drones and would run out within days if war did erupt tomorrow (Sky News). The exercise underscored the urgent need for increased defence spending and modernization to address these critical shortcomings.
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