July 23rd 2024.
The possibility of war looms on the horizon, and it seems that Britain must be ready to face it within the next three years. This sobering statement comes from the new head of the Army, General Sir Roland Walker, who delivered a powerful keynote address at the RUSI Land and Warfare conference today in his first official speech in his role.
In his address, General Walker highlighted the danger that the UK faces from what he calls the "axis of upheaval", consisting of countries like Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea. He stressed the need for the Army to double its fighting power by 2027 in order to effectively combat these threats. He emphasized that with this increase in power, British forces would be able to defeat a force three times their size and continue to do so. This, he believes, would not only ensure that the Army is prepared and capable to face any adversary, but also provide soldiers with a strong incentive to remain in the Army.
The General went on to explain that the Army could achieve this increase in power in just three years through a hybrid system, and even triple that power when new fighting systems come online. He described the advantages of such a system, stating that it would allow the Army to sense twice as far, make decisions in half the time, and deliver effects over twice the distance with fewer munitions. He also pointed to the success of Ukraine, who has already begun to implement these strategies.
However, the General also issued a dire warning about the current state of affairs. He expressed concern about China potentially invading Taiwan before 2027, and the retaliation that Russia may take against the West if Ukraine were to win the war with their support. He also highlighted the threat posed by North Korea and Iran's continued expansion of their nuclear capabilities.
In order for the British Army to truly strengthen and prepare for these challenges, General Walker believes that there needs to be upgrades in their methods of warfare, particularly in the ability to attack targets from a greater distance. He stated that the Army must move away from the outdated mindset of relying on sheer numbers and instead focus on integration and collaboration among different branches of the armed forces.
This speech comes in the wake of recent comments by Defence Secretary John Healey, who acknowledged the current Army's shortcomings and the need for a review to address the challenges they face. General Walker expressed hope that this review would also address the underlying reasons why many British citizens are not willing to fight, and that it would facilitate open and productive discussions.
However, this warning from General Walker also echoes the sentiments of a group of former defence and security experts known as the New Bletchley Network, who recently urged the British Army to "prepare genuinely for war" in order to deter potential threats. They raised concerns about the shrinking of army reserves in recent years, which has led to a lack of critical mass that could put the Army at a disadvantage.
As the debate on conscription to counter Russian threats continues, it is clear that there are significant challenges that the British Army must address in order to be fully prepared for any potential conflicts. General Walker's speech serves as a stark reminder of the importance of staying vigilant and continuously improving and adapting to the ever-changing landscape of warfare.
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