UK Armed Forces Chief Urges Society to Prepare for Potential Conflict with Russia

England: Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton, the head of the British armed forces, has warned that the risk of conflict with Russia is increasing and has called on UK society, including families and young people, to be prepared for the possibility of war.

Speaking about the evolving security environment, Sir Richard said Russia’s military capability continues to grow, despite its prolonged full-scale war in Ukraine. He stressed that while the UK’s armed forces, alongside NATO allies, remain on the front line of defence, national security now requires a broader societal effort.

“The situation is more dangerous than many realise, and the price of peace is rising,” he said. “Everyone must play their part. More families need to understand what sacrifice for our country means.”

Sir Richard echoed recent comments by French Defence Minister General Fabien Mandon, who said European nations must be prepared for the human cost of a potential conflict with Russia. He noted that the sense of national defence and resilience that characterised British society during the Cold War had diminished following the collapse of the Soviet Union.

He also highlighted that this year marks 65 years since the last National Service call-up in the UK and 80 years since the end of the Second World War, pointing out that most people today have little direct experience of military service.

While defence analysts estimate the probability of a direct Russian attack on the UK at around five per cent, Sir Richard cautioned that the risk cannot be dismissed entirely. He underlined that Russia has significantly modernised its armed forces over the past two decades, with troop numbers exceeding 1.1 million and military spending accounting for more than seven per cent of GDP and around 40 per cent of government expenditure.

By comparison, the UK currently has just over 70,000 soldiers. The British government has committed to increasing defence spending from 2.3 per cent of GDP to 2.5 per cent by 2027, while Germany plans to raise its defence budget to 3.5 per cent of GDP by 2029.

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