The UK Cabinet Office has been instructed to accelerate planning for the home defence programme, according to reports, as concerns grow over a potential Russian attack.
The initiative, which aims to combine civilian and military planning for crises, follows Russia's threat of action against the UK for its support of Ukraine in the ongoing war. It includes plans for the "war book," the classified blueprint for transitioning the country into crisis and conflict, The Telegraph reports.
Planning deadlines moved forward
The outlet reported that sources said some elements of the homeland defence plans were moved forward from a previous deadline of 2035 to 2030.
"We do need to accelerate preparedness in a range of threat areas, which means in the next few years, not the next decade," a source said.
Sir Keir Starmer said earlier this year that Moscow could launch an attack "on NATO as soon as 2030". Intelligence agencies and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte hold a similar view.
Russia's warnings and UK response
Russia warned Britain earlier this month that it would pay a "price" after reports that the UK supplied a drone to Ukraine that had been used in strikes deep inside Russia.
Russia's embassy in London accused Britain of becoming "an accomplice and co-perpetrator" of the attacks and of "deliberately opting for an escalation" in the conflict.
The Ministry of Defence responded: "Britain stands shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine and we are committed to providing the equipment Ukraine needs to defend itself against Putin's illegal invasion. Russia should be in no doubt about the resolve of this Government to stand against Russian aggression, in Ukraine and against the UK and our allies."
Grey zone threats and resilience plans
A former senior Russian official warned on Tuesday of the prospect of a "semi-military" response against British drone factories supporting Ukraine.
Security and defence chiefs have warned of "grey zone" attacks between peace and war, including cyber attacks on critical infrastructure. Britain has already been the target of a cyber attack when Iran shut down a British power station for four days, showing that access to sensitive sites is possible.
Officials plan to launch an information campaign on "national resilience" this autumn, with guidance on stockpiling food, water and candles.
One source said: "We need to be ready for threats to become more possible by 2030." The largest-ever national home defence exercise run by COBR, a national emergency committee named after the Cabinet Office Briefing Rooms, will be carried out in 2027.
