The UK is not currently prepared to fight a full-scale war, the head of the British Armed Forces has starkly warned. Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton told MPs that decades of enjoying a 'peace dividend' since the Cold War have left the military lacking the readiness needed for a major conflict.
The 'Peace Dividend' and the Readiness Gap
Speaking to the all-party Defence Committee, the Chief of the Defence Staff was blunt in his assessment. "Over the last 30 years since the end of the Cold War we haven't been ready," he stated. "We have taken a peace dividend and we are not as ready as we need to be for a kind of full scale conflict that we might face."
Sir Richard, a veteran RAF officer who took up the role in September 2025, explained that while the UK is seeing the "largest sustained increase in defence spending" he has known, budgets remain constrained. The current defence budget of £62.2 billion is set to rise by £11 billion by 2027, but he highlighted that sudden operational demands, like preparations to potentially send troops to Ukraine, challenge financial planning.
Russia 'Fixed in Ukraine' But the Clock is Ticking
The senior commander suggested that the UK may have a critical window to rebuild its forces, as Russia is currently heavily committed in Ukraine. "Right now they are fixed in Ukraine. They are taking an enormous number of casualties," he noted, referencing reports of over 1.4 million casualties and perhaps 400,000 deaths this year alone.
However, he stressed this risk position is temporary. The UK is undergoing a major overhaul to confront growing threats from states like Russia and China. It is believed the armed forces hope to be ready for a full-scale conflict within several years, a goal complicated by huge difficulties in recruiting and retaining troops.
Funding Shortfalls and Ministerial Choices
Pressed by Labour MP and former Royal Marine officer Fred Thomas on whether the government would fund defence sufficiently for readiness in the next few years, Sir Richard gave a candid response. "I'll be completely honest with you that we will not be able to do everything that we wish to do as quickly as we might want to," he said, adding that trade-offs would be a matter for ministers.
He refused to detail a claimed £28 billion defence shortfall, dismissing it as speculation. His role, he said, was to advise ministers on rebuilding the armed forces with the money provided and ensure they understood the consequences of their decisions. When asked if more money sooner would make a difference, he warned plainly: "It will make a difference."
The CDS concluded by emphasising the need for realism about the threat, with Russia maintaining "well over half a million" troops on the frontline. The ultimate goal, he said, is to modernise and transform the armed forces to ensure they are ready to deter adversaries and win any future fight.
