Britain can position itself in dangerous era thanks to defence spending commitment

By Adml Sir Tony Radakin

Since becoming Chief of the Defence Staff of the British Armed Forces, I have grown accustomed to sleeping with two mobile phones next to my bed, but it is still an unwelcome surprise when the secret handset judders into life in the small hours of the morning.

Ten days ago, I was woken with the news that Iran had attacked Israel. Our intelligence had warned us that strikes were imminent, but the scale – hundreds of ballistic and cruise missiles, and attack drones – was truly astonishing.

These are worrying times. The world has moved from being competitive to contested and is now openly combative.

A wise general once offered me a piece of advice that has stayed with me ever since. In times of uncertainty and crisis, it is the job of senior military leaders to reassure the nation and stiffen its resolve.

We should be confident that our strategy for the volatility we see in the world is the right one. The United Kingdom is safe because we are a nuclear power, because we belong to Nato – the world’s strongest defensive alliance – and because the men and women of the Armed Forces are ready and able to act.

The reason British jets joined those of the United States, France and others in defending Israel was to prevent the conflict with Hamas escalating toward all-out war.

The reason that the British Army has trained tens of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers is because it is in our national and collective interests to see Putin fail.

Last year, we evacuated British citizens from Sudan, deployed the Army on peacekeeping duties in Kosovo, and sent a ship to reassure Guyana in the wake of Venezuela’s expansionist rhetoric.

The British Armed Forces have stepped up to meet all that is asked of us – and more.

It’s not always simple or straightforward. The world is messy. The results aren’t always apparent. The task never ends. But we should be proud, and reassured, by what we contribute.

And by and large the big decisions that have taken in recent decades have proven to the been the right ones: renewing our nuclear deterrent, bolstering Nato’s northern and eastern flank, recapitalising the Army, forging new industrial alliances such as AUKUS.

Modern weaponry is demanding and expensive. Twenty years ago, when the focus was operations in Afghanistan, some people questioned why we needed such sophisticated air defence destroyers or so many fast jets. The performance of the Type 45 destroyer in the Red Sea or the Typhoon fast-jet over Baltic skies in recent times is the answer.

That is why we continue to invest in new and advanced capabilities, such as the programme to develop a sixth-generation fighter with Japan and Italy. Doing so now ensures we will be ahead of the threat in 20 years’ time.

The announcement by Rishi Sunak that the UK will spend 2.5 per cent of our national wealth on defence by 2030 means we that can accelerate the trajectory of recent years.

It builds on our work to date to support Ukraine, by bringing forward the largest and most substantial package of aid to date. This includes more Storm Shadow missiles, which Ukraine has used to such devastating effect against the Russian navy in the Black Sea.

It is proof that the UK is good on our word: we will stand by Ukraine for as long as it takes.

It also means we can strengthen our commitment to Nato, including renewing our nuclear deterrent and extending our nuclear umbrella to our allies for decades to come.

We will also see through the recapitalisation of the British Army so it can fulfil one of the two strategic reserves available to Nato’s supreme allied commander.

There will be more F-35 fighter jets for the Royal Air Force and a steady shipbuilding programme for the Royal Navy.

Most importantly, by committing to spend 2.5 per cent of our national wealth on defence, we can accelerate our efforts to implement the lessons from the war in Ukraine, and to position ourselves for a more dangerous era.

First, and most pressing, we will deepen the resilience of our stockpiles by doubling the amount we invest in munitions and resetting our relationship with defence suppliers, to move from stop start production to an industry that is able to deliver modern weaponry on a rapid and continual basis.

Secondly, we need to focus on addressing issues that matter to our people. Too many people who want to serve their country find obstacles blocking their path, when we should be laying out a red carpet to get these people through the door.

Schemes such as Forces Help to Buy and Wraparound Childcare are proving hugely popular with military families, but we know we must do more to find, retain and support the people who keep us safe.

The third area of focus is technology. The British Armed Forces are making real headway in adapting. UK Space Command is up and running. Remotely operated vehicles are steadily replacing traditional minehunting and hydrographic ships. Laser weaponry is under development and will be fielded within the next few years. But we can, and must, be much more ambitious.

We should consider long-range missile battalions for the British Army and fast attack craft for the Navy. Our aircraft carriers could be the first in the world to field an entirely uncrewed air wing. The RAF might increase from dozens of drones to thousands of drones. All these options, and more, are now in reach.

There is one other ingredient that is necessary in these contested times – self-belief. We will shortly be commemorating the 80th anniversary of D-Day. Those young men who fought their way onto the beaches of Normandy demonstrated enormous courage and a clear sense of purpose to see through what General Eisenhower termed “the elimination of Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world”.

In all the great conflicts of the 20th century, Britain prevailed because we understood what was at stake. That is no less important a precondition for success in the 21st century.

What we have seen unfold in the past few years is a battle of ideas: between an authoritarian and belligerent Russia and a dynamic, democratic Ukraine; between a reckless Iran and its terrorist network on one side, and the responsible nations of the Middle East on the other; between a China that believes it can dominate and coerce, and those nations that share a commitment to an international system that is open and free.

So let’s have the confidence to recognise this moment for what it is: a sign of our self-assuredness; an investment that sends a message to friend and foe alike. Britain has lost none of her famous resolve. We will defend our interests. We will support our allies. And together we will prevail.

Adml Sir Tony Radakin is the Chief of the Defence Staff of the British Armed Forces