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
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Land Warfare
-
![Uncrewed ground vehicles put to the test as NATO eyes autonomous shift]()
Uncrewed ground vehicles put to the test as NATO eyes autonomous shift
The European Land Robot Trials are influenced by NATO researchers seeking to create uncrewed ground vehicle standards for allied Western forces working in multinational task forces.
-
![Russia tries to keep BMP-3 relevant with new weapon options]()
Russia tries to keep BMP-3 relevant with new weapon options
New iterations of a 57mm gun system highlight a push towards multi-role turrets capable of countering armour, drones and aerial targets.
-
![More details revealed on Kosovo’s Humvee Hawkeye 105mm order]()
More details revealed on Kosovo’s Humvee Hawkeye 105mm order
The agreement points to growing international interest in mobile and survivable artillery systems, with further orders and export opportunities already emerging.
-
![UK Defence Investment Plan: What does it mean for the British Army?]()
UK Defence Investment Plan: What does it mean for the British Army?
The UK’s Defence Investment Plan splurges big for future air and naval programmes, including new hybrid ships, but there are fewer big-ticket items for British Army vehicles. Shephard’s Damian Kemp looks at the much delayed plan.
