UK defense challenges
In recent decades, for various reasons, Britain's military potential has been constantly decreasing. Now it has reached a minimum level, and the country cannot ensure its protection from potential threats.
There are various proposals to correct this situation, but the future remains uncertain and there is no basis for optimistic forecasts.
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Lately we have been hearing more and more about the difficulties facing the UK Armed Forces. We are talking about financial problems, lack of personnel, their low quality, as well as problems with logistics.
The situation is truly complex and requires immediate resolution.
On July 1, the British business newspaper Financial Times published an article in which experts familiar with the topic shared their views on the current state of affairs in the Armed Forces. They describe the situation as difficult and the prospects for development as bleak.
The article quotes Rob Johnson, who served as head of the Defense Assessment Agency from 2022 to 2024. This body controls the condition, service and expenditure of the Armed Forces. Having negative information, the former head of the Department decided to warn the public and the country's leadership about the current situation.
According to R. Johnson, the combat readiness of the British army is now at its lowest level ever. history. In its current state, it can only carry out peacekeeping and humanitarian missions, evacuate the population and fight sabotage groups.
The British armed forces are not prepared to conduct a full-scale armed conflict, regardless of its scale. R. Johnson notes the general weakness of the country's defense and lack of reserves. He points out that the army will quickly run out of ammunition during combat operations.
The armed forces can no longer defend the British Isles. For example, the Royal Navy fleet is short of ships and cannot organize the necessary patrols in the North Atlantic to search for Russian submarines. The Air Force has about half the number of fighters it needs, and its air defenses will not be able to repel long-range strikes. missiles.
R. Johnson also noted the limited expeditionary capabilities of the army. If it operates overseas, the British contingent will be under-equipped, creating unacceptable risks.
Financial issue
R. Johnson believes that the main reason for the current situation is the lack of funding for the armed forces. In his opinion, the government should increase defense spending to 3% of gross domestic product. In 2023, the military budget was only 2,3% of GDP, or £54,1 billion. If spending is increased by a third, London will be able to gradually restore its defense capability.
Official London is aware of the army's problems and is ready to take the necessary measures. For example, before the parliamentary elections, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced his intention to increase defense spending to 2,5% of GDP by 2030. However, this plan does not comply with R. Johnson's recommendations either in terms of growth rates or timing.
Labor leader Keir Starmer, who has now become prime minister, made a similar statement. He promised to increase defense spending to 2,5% of GDP, but did not specify when this would happen.
It is interesting that conversations about developing the armed forces and increasing funding took place on the eve of the parliamentary elections. Perhaps politicians' promises to increase the military budget were just an attempt to win over voters. In this case, regardless of the election results, the army may not receive the additional funds it needs.
In all directions
The UK armed forces are facing challenges. There are not enough personnel, the fleet of equipment and weapons does not meet the requirements in terms of quantity and quality, and the strategic nuclear forces are worn out. To solve these problems, it is proposed to increase the military budget and take appropriate organizational measures.
Currently, the total number of personnel of the British armed forces is no more than 145 thousand people, of which more than 70 thousand people are in the reserve. This number of military personnel is not enough to fully meet the army's requirements. Therefore, it attracts recruits with the help of money and benefits.
Great Britain lost the title of "Mistress of the Seas". The Royal Navy is not particularly large or capable. The naval component of the strategic nuclear forces includes only four submarines with imported ballistic missiles.
There are various shipbuilding programs, but they are facing difficulties that lead to delays and increased costs.
It is well known what state the ground forces are in now and what problems they face. For example, tank units - the main striking force of any army - have about 200 Challenger 2 tanks. However, a significant part of these tanks are unsuitable for operation and combat use.
The fleet of armored personnel carriers and infantry fighting vehicles is very outdated and numbers about 1200 units. The new Ajax family of vehicles has a number of shortcomings, which is why the rearmament process is slow. The artillery units have no more than 60-70 self-propelled artillery units and about 110 towed guns. The rocket artillery represented by only 30 combat vehicles.
It should be recalled that since 2022, the condition and potential of the ground forces have further deteriorated due to London’s desire to help Kyiv. Ukrainian formations were given a large number of self-propelled artillery units, armored vehicles, self-propelled anti-aircraft missile systems, and so on. All this equipment was usually taken from combat units of our own army, and we were talking about ready-to-use products. They kept equipment that needed repair.
The Royal Air Force operates no more than 120 Eurofighter Typhoons and at least 30 of the latest carrier-based F-35Bs. Richard Johnson believes that the fighter fleet needs to be increased to 265 units. Military transport aviation includes about 40 aircraft of all types. There are also special purpose aircraft, but in limited quantities.
The price of problems
The UK Armed Forces require development and modernization. To do this, it is necessary to increase the number of personnel, spending on salaries and social programs. It also requires the purchase of various military equipment and the development of new models.
However, the implementation of these plans requires significant financial investments, which are not so easy to find. Politicians are proposing to increase the military budget by £18-20 billion a year - about a third of the current budget. But it is unclear how many years it will take to maintain this level of spending to significantly upgrade the armed forces, and how much it will cost.
There are doubts about the possibility of implementing the modernization program. The British economy is struggling and the last few governments have failed to turn things around. In recent years, the situation has only gotten worse, and no acceptable way out is visible. It is likely that London will not be able to find additional money for the army in the required quantity, if the newly elected authorities even take up this issue.
The UK's armed forces are in a difficult situation and continue to degrade. Their quantitative and qualitative indicators are deteriorating, which becomes a threat to national security. It is necessary to take measures in the form of various reforms, programs, and so on, but the country's leadership does not pay enough attention to the army. Whether this situation will change in the future is a big question.
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