The Defence Secretary has warned that the state of the British armed forces is “far worse than we thought.”
John Healey said the British armed forces are “not ready to fight” and the UK must be “more effective” to deter future aggression.
On the plus side he said the armed forces have become “very skilled and ready to conduct military operations.”
Healey told Politico, “We’ve got to not just be capable of defending our Nato nations, but more importantly, got to be more effective in the deterrence that we can provide against any future aggression.
“Our forces need to be able to innovate. We need to be able to take the new technologies and some of the lessons from Ukraine and make what we do more lethal and therefore a stronger deterrence.”
GB New reported that Healey was asked over the newly appointed army General Sir Roly Walker saying the UK has to be ready to fight in a war in three years’ time.
Healey said, “The UK, in keeping with many other nations, has essentially become very skilled and ready to conduct military operations.
“What we’ve not been ready to do is to fight. And unless we are ready to fight, we are not in a shape to deter.”
A Government spokesman said, “This Government will always do what’s required to defend the country.
“The UK’s armed forces are amongst the best in the world and offer a 24/7 defence of the UK – operating alongside our Allies and partners to prepare for any event.
“The Strategic Defence Review will look at the threats we face and the capabilities we need so that our armed forces are better ready to fight, more integrated and more innovative.”
