UK military chief urges stronger preparation for possible conflict with Russia
UK Chief of the Defence Staff Richard Knighton warns that the country must better prepare to counter the threat of conflict, especially from Russia.
Reuters reported this in an article, according to Ukrinform.
"Britain must get better prepared to deter the threat of conflict, particularly from Russia, by encouraging people to be willing to fight, increasing industrial weapons capacity and developing skills," Knighton said.
He added that Britain does not yet feel the threat from Russia "as acutely as many of our allies in Europe," who have already taken steps to increase defense procurement and, in some cases, return to certain forms of military service.
"The Russian leadership has made clear that it wishes to challenge, limit, divide and ultimately destroy NATO. It is clear to our allies that the risk to NATO and to the UK from Russia is growing," he said.
According to Knighton, Europe is trying to fill the gap created after U.S. President Donald Trump demanded that European countries take primary responsibility for NATO's conventional defense capabilities, especially amid complex peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine.
Knighton noted that while "our objective must be to avoid war," the United Kingdom must encourage more people to be ready to fight in the regular armed forces and the reserves, build industrial capacity to meet replenishment and rearmament needs, and develop skills required by the defense industry.
In this context, he said it is necessary to end the "hollowing out" of the UK armed forces, ensure Britain's leadership role in NATO, and win the race to introduce new technologies into the military system.
"Sons and daughters, colleagues, veterans ... will all have a part to play. To build. To serve. And if necessary, to fight. And more families will know what sacrifice for our nation means," Knighton said.
As Ukrinform reported, UK Chief of the Defence Staff Richard Knighton previously said that Britain will send troops and equipment to Belgium to strengthen defenses following incursions by unidentified drones into its airspace.
Photo: raf.mod.uk