UK army chief warns nation could lose next conflict without military reforms

The United Kingdom faces problems with its defense posture amid Britain’s budget troubles. The British Army’s new chief warned it could lose its next conflict unless it increases its fighting power. But as special correspondent Malcolm Brabant reports, military leaders are bracing themselves for more cuts from Prime Minister Starmer’s new government.

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Geoff Bennett: And on that point of shortages, the U.K. has problems of its own with its defense posture amid Britain’s budget problems.

The British army’s new chief has warned it could lose its next conflict unless it increases its fighting power.

But as special correspondent Malcolm Brabant reports, military leaders are steeling themselves for more cuts from Starmer’s new government.

Malcolm Brabant: When it comes to ceremonial duties, British forces are arguably the best in the world. But in these volatile times, Britain is a shadow of its former glorious military self.

Gen. Roland Walker, Chief of the General Staff, British Army: If we fight using the old ideas, the chances are, we lose.

Malcolm Brabant: Pictured receiving a Gallantry Medal from Britain’s late queen is Sir Roly Walker, the new head of Britain’s army, which hasn’t been this small for over two centuries.

Britain’s top soldier says it’s time to wake up and revolutionize.

Gen. Roland Walker: We have got to pull the future of fighting power into the present faster than we thought we could.

Malcolm Brabant: Do you think we could last for days, weeks?

Maj. Gen. Rupert Jones (Ret)., Military Analyst: Well, not very long is the honest answer, whether it’s days or weeks. It’s simply not long enough to fight any kind of protracted conflict.

Malcolm Brabant: Military analyst Rupert Jones was once Britain’s youngest general who helped to orchestrate the defeat of Islamic State in Syria.

Maj. Gen. Rupert Jones: The British army’s equipment is in a poor state. Now, it is getting better. But I was using equipment that my father had used and some of that equipment is still in service today. That is simply not OK.

Malcolm Brabant: His father, Colonel H. Jones, was killed leading a charge of the Parachute Regiment during the 1982 Falklands War to retake the South Atlantic islands from Argentine invaders. He was posthumously awarded Britain’s highest medal for valor, the Victoria Cross.

Since then, Britain’s fighting prowess has not diminished, but its ability to wage war has.

Maj. Gen. RupertJones: Our war fighting equipment is simply not fit for purpose.

Malcolm Brabant: That’s terrifying.

Maj. Gen. Rupert Jones: It is. It is. And this government, I suspect, is getting a pretty rude shock. Now the time, as many have argued, to take a fresh look.

Malcolm Brabant: Britain’s new defense secretary, John Healey, wants a comprehensive review of the nation’s military on his desk next year.

John Healey, Secretary of State for Defense, United Kingdom: To reset our priorities, to make sure that we assess the threats we face, the capabilities we need, so that we can better defend Britain and Britain can become a better ally.

Robert O’Brien, Former U.S. National Security Adviser: A strong U.K., it’s just tremendous for the West, tremendous for America.

Malcolm Brabant: Robert O’Brien was President Trump’s national security adviser. He says if Trump wins the election, he will want Britain to raise its military budget to 2.5 percent of GDP.

Robert O’Brien: The sooner we can get to a 2.5 percent defense spending level in the U.K., the more secure the free world will be.

Malcolm Brabant: But Britain’s new labor government says it’s inherited a $30 billion black hole in the country’s coffers, although their opponents say that they have contributed to the shortfall by awarding inflation-busting pay rises to state employees.

But because the party has a tradition of prioritizing social issues over defense, military leaders are bracing themselves for more cuts, especially as the prime minister, Keir Starmer, has assiduously avoided his predecessor’s commitment to hit the 2.5 percent target by 2030.

Keir Starmer, British Prime Minister: There is a budget coming in October, and it’s going to be painful. We have no other choice, given the situation that we’re in. Things will get worse before they get better.

Malcolm Brabant: Defense experts are warning that the axe may fall on Tempest, the sixth-generation stealth fighter that Britain is developing with Japan and Italy. It’s due to enter service in 2035. If the Tempest project is grounded, it will be in part because of the cost of donating Challenger tanks and other weaponry to Ukraine.

This is Russian video of a Challenger being attacked by a drone.

Maj. Gen. Rupert Jones: A clash of high-tech militaries has taught all of us a great deal about how to fight in the future.

Malcolm Brabant: And perhaps how to save money. Boosted by artificial intelligence, swarms of drones like these recently underwent what the British government trumpeted as successful trials, with American and Australian partners striking multiple targets.

While Britain’s normally secretive defense, science and technology laboratory has posted this video lauding its 15-center shot lasers.

James, Senior Engineer, Raytheon U.K.: We’re here to carry out some trials with the system. It’s a capability for laser-directed energy weapon to take down targets. We have a radar surveillance system which provides the soldiers with a feed of different targets in different locations.

Drones are now becoming a really popular use. They’re very cheap, very easy to deploy, and you don’t want to be using a very expensive weapon like a missile to be taken down a drone.

Malcolm Brabant: Earlier this year, Britain’s DragonFire system achieved the nation’s first high-powered firing of a laser weapon against aerial targets.

DragonFire is due to be deployed on British warships in three years’ time. Western scientists are constantly trying to keep one step ahead of potential adversaries. Defense spending now accounts for 7 percent of Russia’s annual budget. Against this backdrop, Britain’s army is hamstrung by ammunition shortages and antiquated armor.

Its top general says the army must double its fighting power within three years, by which time the nation must be prepared for war.

Gen. Roland Walker: If we can double and then triple our fighting power, any British land force will be able to destroy an enemy force at least three times its size and keep on doing that. And, that way, we will have every confidence in being ready and able to fight anyone and win.

Malcolm Brabant: Do you think people are sleepwalking into the next war?

Maj. Gen. Rupert Jones: No, I’m no believer in inevitability. I think it’s absolutely right that security experts, defense experts keep us honest and warn us of the threats that we face. What defense is there to do fundamentally is to deter adversaries. The stronger we are, the stronger the deterrence, the less likely there is to be a war.

Malcolm Brabant: But all the indications are that the government will override the generals, despite warnings that political short-termism is a gamble in an ever-dangerous world.

For the “PBS News Hour,” I’m Malcolm Brabant in Southern England.