Why the British Army may be doomed to fail in high-intensity conflicts
Improving air defence inventory is among the main concerns. (Photo: UK MoD/Crown Copyright)
Former Chiefs of Defence Staff warn that capability gaps as well as budget and stockpile issues are putting the readiness of the UK armed forces in jeopardy.
The war in Ukraine has highlighted several issues in the British Army which could affect its performance in high-intensity conflicts. In recent sessions of the UK Parliament Defence Committee, former Chiefs of Defence Staff (CDS) warn that capability gaps as well as budget and stockpile issues will impact the readiness of the service.
CDS from 2018 to 2021, Gen (Retd) Nick Carter claimed that the army is ‘at the moment the weakest service’. ‘I would suggest it to pull its weight in the sort of world that we now find ourselves’, he pointed out.
Improving the air defence inventory
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Land Warfare
-
![CAVS rides a wave and prepares for surge requirements as orders roll in]()
CAVS rides a wave and prepares for surge requirements as orders roll in
The Common Armoured Vehicle System is continuing to rack up orders as the British Army looks likely to become an operator of the vehicle, while Italy and Ireland are also contenders.
-
![US DoD task force’s DroneHunter acquisition lays groundwork for Replicator 2 CUAS strategy]()
US DoD task force’s DroneHunter acquisition lays groundwork for Replicator 2 CUAS strategy
As the US Department of Defense looks to counter the growing threat of uncrewed aerial systems to improve homeland security, the DroneHunter acquisition could point to future commercial innovation.
-
![Norway opts for Hanwha’s Chunmoo for long-range fires under $2 billion deal]()
Norway opts for Hanwha’s Chunmoo for long-range fires under $2 billion deal
The selection of Hanwha’s K239 Chunmoo long-range precision fires system, with a contract expected to be signed on 30 January, makes Norway the second European country to choose the system. It is expected an operational system will be in service within four years.
-
![Land forces review: Tanks, trucks and IFVs dominate but woes remain for Ajax]()
Land forces review: Tanks, trucks and IFVs dominate but woes remain for Ajax
This year has begun with main battle tanks taking the lead while orders for large logistics and support vehicles continued from last year. Additionally, two of the British Army’s most significant contracted vehicle programmes, Ajax reconnaissance vehicle and Challenger 3 tank, continued to make news in January.
