The UK has been urged to prepare for conflict as the head of the Royal Navy sets out plans to transform the service in under 1,000 days. General Sir Gwyn Jenkins, speaking at the International Sea Power Conference, said the world was more unstable than before, with all efforts "focused on the end of the decade."
His comments come amid heightened global tensions, including renewed strikes on Iran, cyberattacks across Europe, and bomb threats to international airports. The UK faces pressure to re-arm, recruit, and modernise its armed forces to adapt to the new geopolitical landscape.
Navy chief warns of Russian threat
General Jenkins reiterated the threat posed by Russia, weeks after an English Channel confrontation with a Russian warship. He said: "I am under no illusion about the world we face.
"Russia will continue to test our resolve and look for weakness. But war is not inevitable — not if our enemies believe we are serious. Prepare for war if you want peace. That means building our strength, adapting faster, standing together and demonstrating that, if required, we are ready to fight."
Although he stressed he was not predicting war, he insisted the world was more unstable than it had been previously.
Concerns over officer shortages
General Jenkins' remarks followed reports that the Royal Navy was at risk of running out of commanders for its ships and submarines. According to The Sun, no officer passed the submarine command course, known as Perisher, in 2025.
In the surface fleet, fewer than 10 officers passed another command qualification, CQ2, with around 35 successful candidates believed to be necessary to sustain command at sea year-round.
Despite these concerns, the Royal Navy has rejected claims it lacks enough personnel. A spokesperson said: "We continue to generate the high-quality leaders we need for operational commitments."
