The head of the British armed forces has warned that the UK faces its greatest security threat since the Cold War and must prepare for the possibility of a prolonged war. Chief of the Defence Staff Sir Richard Knighton told the BBC's Today programme that the first five months of this year saw as many incursions by Russian strategic aircraft into UK airspace as in the whole of 2025.
Sir Richard described last year's Strategic Defence Review as a 'call to arms', saying the armed forces have spent decades preparing for short, localised conflicts but now need to be ready for protracted wars like the one in Ukraine. 'This is the most dangerous time I have known in my working life,' he said, adding that society may need to make different choices and priorities.
The military chief also warned that Russia is testing the UK through cyber attacks, sabotage, and assassination attempts, alongside traditional military defences. 'Russia is definitely raising the stakes and risks crossing a line,' he said. He highlighted the need to adapt to warfare where drones and autonomous systems will play an increasingly important role.
Sir Richard's comments come ahead of the expected publication of the Defence Investment Plan, which will set out defence spending over the next decade. In February, he and his German counterpart, General Carsten Breuer, wrote a joint letter calling for a 'step change' in European defence, arguing that rearmament is not warmongering but a responsible action to protect people and preserve peace.
