British Army Prepares for Potential Conflict with Global Powers

Britain's army must be prepared within three years to confront an "axis of upheaval" comprising Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea, according to General Sir Roly Walker, the new chief of the British Army. While he emphasized that war is not inevitable, he warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin could emerge from the ongoing Ukraine conflict as a "very, very dangerous" figure, seeking retribution against nations that supported Ukraine, including the UK. Walker highlighted the growing collaboration among these nations in sharing weapons and technology, suggesting that this threat could intensify by 2027 to 2028. In light of these challenges, General Walker underscored the urgent need for the British Army to enhance its deterrent capabilities. He stated that restoring credible hard power is essential to prevent future conflicts, framing this initiative as a "not the war plan." During a speech at the Land Warfare Conference in London, he outlined his ambition to double the army's fighting capacity by 2027 and to enable British forces to defeat enemy units at least three times their size by the end of the decade. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has committed to increasing defense spending to 2.5% of national income, up from just over 2%, although a specific timeline for this increase has not been provided. However, defense experts argue that even this proposed boost may be insufficient for the UK to effectively engage in any significant military conflict. General Walker characterized the British Army as a medium-sized force, advocating for a shift in how military strength is assessed, moving beyond mere troop numbers. He expressed confidence that by enhancing their capabilities, British forces could successfully confront and defeat larger enemy contingents.