A British army Soldier marches back toward his rally point during the field training, June 2014. (Image source: DVIDS)
In a bone-chilling announcement, the top brass of the British Army dropped a bombshell this week: Brits need to brace themselves for the grim possibility of land warfare.
General Patrick Sanders, the head man in charge, didn’t sugarcoat it when he spoke to the armed forces.
He’s sounding the alarm, saying folks need to get ready for the worst-case scenario.
Sanders isn’t just spouting off; some serious chess moves are happening behind the scenes.
Assessing the British Army’s Warning
Last year, the UK Ministry of Defence threw a curveball, announcing they’re slimming down the pro-army from 82,000 to 73,000 troops by 2025.
Frankly @BritishArmy needs SOLDIERS. And lots of them. Why don’t we work on recruitment, and only when we have a respectable number of soldiers then we can start navel gazing about gender etc.
In a bone-chilling announcement, the top brass of the British Army dropped a bombshell this week: Brits need to brace themselves for the grim possibility of land warfare.
General Patrick Sanders, the head man in charge, didn’t sugarcoat it when he spoke to the armed forces.
He’s sounding the alarm, saying folks need to get ready for the worst-case scenario.
Sanders isn’t just spouting off; some serious chess moves are happening behind the scenes.
Assessing the British Army’s Warning
Last year, the UK Ministry of Defence threw a curveball, announcing they’re slimming down the pro-army from 82,000 to 73,000 troops by 2025.
Frankly @BritishArmy needs SOLDIERS. And lots of them. Why don’t we work on recruitment, and only when we have a respectable number of soldiers then we can start navel gazing about gender etc.
In response, Sanders is flexing some muscle, saying they need to bulk up the British Army, aiming for a whopping 120,000 troops in the next three years, mixing regulars with reserves.
Speaking at a conference on armored vehicles in London, Sanders hammered home the importance of land warfare, warning against putting all their eggs in the naval and air baskets.
“Taking preparatory steps to enable placing our societies on a war footing when needed are now not merely desirable but essential,” said Sanders. “Within the next three years, it must be credible to talk of a British Army of 120,000, folding in our reserve and strategic reserve.”
He’s taking notes from the playbook of UK buddies in Eastern and Northern Europe, who are beefing up their game to face off against Russia.
“Our friends in eastern and northern Europe, who feel the proximity of the Russian threat more acutely, are already acting prudently, laying the foundations for national mobilisation,” he added. “Ukraine brutally illustrates that regular armies start wars; citizen armies win them.”
Sanders wants a citizen army that can throw down when push comes to shove.
International Ramifications and NATO’s Response
This call to arms isn’t just ringing in the UK; it’s echoing through NATO and beyond.
Admiral Rob Bauer, head honcho of NATO’s military committee, tells civilians across member states to gird their loins for a potential showdown with Russia.
He does not mince words about the seriousness of the situation and the need for everyone to be on their toes.
Chairman of NATO's military committee Admiral Rob Bauer said that although NATO and member governments are readying themselves for conflict with Vladimir Putin's regime, civilians must realise that they also have a role to play.https://t.co/yhx92ZLSENpic.twitter.com/6UAnmWkKEi
With tensions on the rise, UK Defence Secretary Grant Shapps is pulling out the checkbook, bumping up defense spending from 2.1 percent to 2.5 percent of GDP.
He’s reading the tea leaves, saying we’re shifting gears from post-war to pre-war, and it’s time to get serious about defense.
Richard Dannatt, a big shot who used to run the British Army, is drawing parallels with the shaky 1930s and warning against snoozing through the storm clouds on the horizon.
'It's all very alarming.'
Britain should train a 'citizen army' ready to fight a war on land in the future, the head of the Army has said.
General Sir Patrick Sanders warned that an increase in reserve forces alone 'would not be enough'. pic.twitter.com/7UpO5Bor7u
He says we need to beef up the armed forces to keep the bad guys at bay and is pushing for a hefty increase in defense spending to 3.0 percent of GDP.
Adapting to the Changing Security Landscape
The chatter on the airwaves is all about recognizing the changing security scene and preparing for whatever surprises might come our way.
With tensions simmering and the world feeling like it’s sitting on a powder keg, everyone’s talking about the need to shore up the defenses and toughen up the folks on the home front.
As the UK charts its course through choppy waters, the message is loud and clear: stay vigilant, stay ready, and hold the line.
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Brandon Webb former Navy SEAL, Bestselling Author and Editor-in-Chief
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