Britain only has a handful of RAF fighters to scramble if nuke-armed Putin attacked UK?

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#thesun #ukraine #russia

[@iansmith2997]

No, we are not ready. Our military have been underfunded for the past 50 years.

[@EdMcF1]

Sir Humphrey: "Prime Minister, what is the purpose of our Defence policy?" PM "To defend Britain!?" "No Prime Minister, it is to make people think that Britain is defended." PM "Who,.. the Russians?" Sir Humphrey: "Not the Russians, the British. The Russians KNOW it's not defended!".

[@ieuansymmonds6967]

Less than 10 ffs this is completely disgusting

[@paulturner7206]

Yes, and on any one day, three will be on diversity training.

[@richardwilson57]

I’d estimate that it’s about 6 jets on alert 😂 (ten at maximum )

[@JCStaling]

Britain is so incredibly weak militarily. Truth be told. The number of troops in the US Marine Corps alone outnumber the entire armed forces of the UK.

[@Grahamshawx]

When I was out in Iraq my heli stopped at a US Airbase. We had a tiny number of Chinook helicopters deployed and we landed at this base with literally hundreds of helis of every type as far as the eye could see. A very humbling experience!

[@graveperil2169]

you know the US is a Superpower right?

[@thecurlew7403]

Yea terrible if civil war broke out the army may hide there barracks 70 000 huddled together 😊😅😊

[@gtc1961]

@@graveperil2169 and the UK used to be....before they started depending on the US for their defense.

[@graveperil2169]

@@gtc1961 before it went broke in WW1 after WW2 the US had all our money and most of our ideas with the advantage that none of their city's were bombed out ruins

[@alanrogers9597]

I've got a few airfix kits

[@xaero76]

I can 3D print my own aircraft....

[@andrewpeele8258]

Hello nuclear submarines

[@crkproductions5000]

Wow that is horrible news for everyone, including nato. Time to spend some money on defense in Britain.

[@windymiller6908]

Not sure they have anything left to spend.

[@markeh1971]

For a year or more we have not spent the money or stood up to the threat we are in. Rishy and the Conservatives have fiddled whilst roam burned. There can be nothing more important than our defence. It is getting to the point it is too late. Take care M.

[@splatoonistproductions5345]

@cjjk9142if anything Britain could be equivalent to a floating fortress; with proper investment in dedicated land based air defences, a sizeable and highly capable/adaptable fleet of jets and a sizeable navy, the country could be a truly credible force. That combined with a decent sized army (bigger than now) could make significant differences in any fight anywhere against anyone. Let’s just hope they actually do something about it

[@RegCostello]

It's obvious that we should have massively stepped up production of Storm Shadow, Meteor, nlaw, and all missiles two and a half years ago at the very least.

[@martyfellow7698]

What a bell rash

[@user-kq4hf8se5b]

Yep, Trump said European NATO was weak.

[@charlieboffin2432]

Didn't need that moron to tell us we knew anyway

[@xaero76]

tRump crapped his pants during the debate... soo.........

[@poli946]

How can a fighter jet repel a nuclear attack from a Zircon hypersonic missile?

[@Starmer_Crushed_The_Far_Right]

How can Putin;s S500 stop Trident nuclear missiles. *Oh wait I forgot Russia's one and only S500 just got barbecued in Crimea by American made Himars"

[@JCStaling]

The question is: Why does Britain not have any nuclear-capable bombers?

[@Altynbek_mahmudov]

​@@Starmer_Crushed_The_Far_Rightthat's what the A-235 is for, and after all, Britain's area is not compatible with the nuclear exchange that will eventually occur.

[@ieuansymmonds6967]

Hardly call it a hypersonic

[@stefansminis1312]

​@@Starmer_Crushed_The_Far_Right Last tests show, british tridents is a pile of rubbish🤣😂😅

[@michaelcullen6923]

There is no excuse for the UK to be this poor level of readiness.

[@anthonystewart677]

Sums up the state of the whole country. The place is a joke with ideas far above its station. Not to mention, the likes of him trying to deliver a totally flawed narrative, by blowing up a threat that wasn't there until ignited by western subversion and then that same collective West or "international community" as they like to call themselves when speaking for the rest of us - with all of its financial and military aid, propping up an illegitimate regime - can't even hold off Russia. This guy delivering on behalf of the military is a 'Bully's Lackey' talking through his ring-piece in order to try and save face and boost recruitment levels.

[@FOX-3]

its called the tory party they made it that way but now that might change

[@Wushaaa]

There is. Our Economy has been crippled for years, Brexit, Covid shattering our economy even more. We can barely afford to provide public service, housing and a stable economy, let alone Defence.

[@28ebdh3udnav]

Its sad when iran has better air defense with a much lower budget than fhe UK

[@BongWeasle]

Most Iranian citizens are living on welfare in london

[@graveperil2169]

they have been bombed more recently than the UK so that did not help and are surrounded by enemies go look where the UK is on the map

[@graveperil2169]

@cjjk9142 the UK is an Island just like 1850

[@ScratchyYard]

@cjjk9142 we need capable warships to protect our islands

[@jackiechristian-di6sy]

Well thank goodness you alerted Putin to this major problem....just think if Russia had thought you had hundred's available that would have been dreadful!

[@jonathanturnerrhyolite133]

The Russians will already know.

[@stone678]

Hey our woke army will sort any one and our huge dependant muslim benifit claiming population will pray to gala that the hard working Christian s keep paying our taxes that's enuf to scare any one off

[@BarryBull-mv5no]

Don't need tell putin nothing do you really think PUTIN DOESNT KNOW HOW MANY OF EVERYTHING WE HAVE IN MILITARY ?? THATS SO NIEVE

[@BarryBull-mv5no]

​@@jonathanturnerrhyolite133just said same thing .. crazy that person still thinks its secret.. lol

[@cuckoojack]

Shocking state, years of labour and conservative cuts.

[@Starmer_Crushed_The_Far_Right]

Tory cuts. Labour funded the military or have you forgotten the started Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

[@ffrederickskitty214]

Mostly conservative cuts when it comes to defence

[@cuckoojack]

@@ffrederickskitty214 the fact is they both cut defence

[@Wushaaa]

@@cuckoojack mainly tories, dont forget they have been in control of Britain since 2010.

[@timhitchen4839]

​@@ffrederickskitty214labour created a structural deficit in the boom years that took 9 years to clear. Labour caused the funding issue by bad financial management

[@aircvr4175]

UK has 1 squadron on Alert... Germany only has 7 fighter jets flyable. That's what Trump was railing about with NATO underspending each year back circa 2018.

[@user-di1rj2be7w]

Not armed up. They have 4 planes

[@user-di1rj2be7w]

Lol. Germany has about 130 Eurofighter and also other planes

[@richardvernon317]

@@user-di1rj2be7w More than that armed up at any one time, Four ready to go in less than 10 minutes. each carrying 4 long range missiles and 4 short range missiles plus a 27mm Cannon.

[@zhufortheimpaler4041]

Germany has 3 Quick Reaction Alert groups on high readiness 24/7 in germany, each with 4 Typhoons with light air policing payload. In addition to that, germany provides 3 more QRA Groups for Lithuania, Slovakia, Poland and Romania with 4 Typhoons each with full combat ready load to patrol NATO Airspace on the russian border and Ukraine/Black Sea. Of the 141 Typhoons of the Luftwaffe at each point in time there are around 120 operational and capable of being readied within 24/48hrs for combat. So yeah... the Luftwaffe is significantly larger than the RAF and alot more combat ready. (the Uk operates 107 Typhoons with a 75% readiness and 26 F-35´s with 55% readiness)

[@aircvr4175]

@@zhufortheimpaler4041 == It is a myth that Germany fields 120 operational fighters, although Berlin might make that claim on paper.

[@wardy-r6927]

This makes sense letting Ower enemies know our weakness. Well done British press. And trust me our defence will have a lot more than you know about so stop scared mongering

[@RelationalDatabase-us7fr]

The Russians already know this and we know their weaknesses

[@Isaac_132]

Trust me, your politicians have already sent Russia everything there is on your readiness, probably the day after the classified docs came out.

[@CubaLibre69]

Everyone knows your weaknesses.

[@graveperil2169]

Vengeance, Vanguard, Victorious and Vigilant

[@Erodkp08]

they need to report it so that constituents pressure politicians to react to UK's military weakness

[@kathydillon4564]

They have friends. In the mean time they need to start production

[@RelationalDatabase-us7fr]

We have got to keep the 30 Tranche 1 Typhoons - spend the £300m

[@markeh1971]

It’s going to be all about cost, refurbing, keeping what you have and buying more. Every plain becomes invaluable when it hits the fan. It’s the missiles and radar systems that have to be cutting edge, the rest it just carrying the long range weapons. Take care M.

[@davidmincher8431]

Poland is strong. Uk is a joke. Remember Ww 2. ANCESTRY.

[@28ebdh3udnav]

Here's an idea.... Enough with woke crap Thats what you guys usually go for, the government

[@surfer-uy5ys]

Woke?

[@glenbolderson9279]

I thought Russias military was just a big joke? right?

[@davidrobertson5700]

40 per cent of GDP woild solve the defence and social issues.

[@RatTerminator]

Wake up UK 🇺🇲💪

[@BongWeasle]

You are assuming the UK is still on your side! The demographic of Britain has changed, no longer white and Christian. We are a decade away from becoming a Muslim Caliphate.

[@pleigh6673]

Previous Labour and conservative governments just don’t understand who the real backbone of the UK are, so out of touch. The Army recruitment on TV laughable! Given the time and money I could raise a million man army here in the UK but Russia wouldn’t be my first priority it would be London!

[@zhufortheimpaler4041]

in the last 40 years you got 34 years of conservatives. there is a a single party clearly at fault here.

[@rodd1000]

Tories to blame. Forces been cut on every level year on year since 2010. Vote Labour.

[@BongWeasle]

And Labour would just surrender.

[@keenanscruton3973]

Time to stop spending billions on other countries and focus on our own. Make the army and counterparts worth joining as well

[@preude1]

UK itself produces the Sky Sabre air defence missile system... So stop mumbling about we have no capabilities but immediately order much more of these systems and ramp up the production of these systems as fast as you can!

[@preude1]

@cjjk9142 CAMM/CAMM-ER/Sky Sabre is a short range to medium range system and CAMM-LR in full development and the hreats are not only ballistic missiles but also drones cruise-missiles helicopters fighters bombers etc. If the UK does not have enough fighters then it must increase its SAM-systems and CAMM/Sky Sabre is produces in the UK thats something the UK can solve itself. Its a combination of available fighters air-defence ships and SAM-systems and the UK hardly has any SAM-systems also Patriot or SAMP/T must be added to the inventory.

[@zhufortheimpaler4041]

The UK does not operate mid or long range SAM systems outside the few still operational Royal Navy Frigates and Destroyers. Its Airfleet is getting cut back and in a sorry state plus underequipped for Interceptor Dutys. So yes, the UK is someone entering a firefight where all sides are using 7.62x51mm NATO caliber assault rifles and MG´s with a 9mm MP5. Good enough for close quarters, but sadly the other side only fights on 400m.

[@preude1]

@@zhufortheimpaler4041 Why are you lying? Sky Sabre is not a full midrange ground based system but a short to midrange system and already in use. 16th Regiment Royal Artillery has 4 battery's that use the short/midrange Sky Sabre system! This will be increased to 6 batteries total. British forces already use Sky Sabre in Poland. CAMM-ER is already tested and in production the already existing Sky Sabre systems in active duty could be expanded with newly developed launchers for CAMM-ER. CAMM-MR is sill in development...

[@zhufortheimpaler4041]

@@preude1 does the UK operate systems with a range of more than 50km? (so mid to long range) We are talking about systems wth ranges of 50-200km, like Patriot or S300. Systems with a large stand of distance. last time i checked, the UK did NOT operate such systems but primarily SHORAD. CAMM-MR is not developed yet and CAMM-ER only does 45km range. A small reminder: a typical GPS/GLONASS guided glide bomb like the GBU-39 has an average range of around 120-130km after being dropped from its carrier aircraft.

[@preude1]

@@zhufortheimpaler4041 What excactly is CWIS, short range, mid range and long range is open for debate! StarStreak is a short range system. NASAMS IRIS-T and Sky Sabre are called short to midrange systems. New systems like NASAMS 3, IRIS-T SLA and future Sky Sabre systems operating with CAMM-ER are in my opinion midrange systems. In navy's RAM SeaRAM are CIWS, ESSM CAMM and Aster 15 midrange, SM-2 Aster30 and SM-6 long range. So what is excactly what is all open to interpretation. In my opinion Sky Sabre is a short to midrange system. And yes the Uk also needs SAMP/T or Partiot PAC-2/3.

[@Aspartame69]

I wonder why the military has a problem with recruitment when their adverts for the last 10 years have been casting foreigners and women.. But in the last few weeks, now that things are getting serious, the new military recruitment adverts include only white men, its tempting to just let russia have the UK. That has to be better than letting pakistan have it.

[@olindbck]

The only credible defence is an credible offence. The attacker needs to be hold at risk.

[@Andy-ie1zg]

Its ok, I’m sure Ukraine will lend us there F16!

[@Storm.Z.4u]

Cut benefits and increase defence spending

[@jasonboydgg6316]

Said like a true politician

[@Scott_396]

The nuclear army flexes its bombs

[@vernonwhite4660]

I THINK YOU HAVE SOME SPITFITES IN MUSEUMS THAT COULD BE SCRAMBLED😊

[@christopherpinnock7900]

All politicians are responsible for this and we have learnt nothing after WW2. We have run down our force to a level that we can’t protect our nation. It’s is unexceptionable to be in position. You do have the money but we are sending it abroad for charities in other countries who don’t like us.

[@user-di1rj2be7w]

We ? Lol. Russia is a nation who wants to fight wars. Google all the wars russia has started

[@amorosogombe9650]

Putin is stuck riding on the back of a tiger and can't get off.

[@keithwaddington5615]

Agreed, Putin has his hands full trying to deal with Ukraine let alone Nato.

[@vicmarx-sl5xz]

Most of these discussions are absolute rubbish, of no value to anyone with a couple of working braincells.

[@pete-wv6mu]

Great, let's tell the whole world how vulnerable we are.

[@markblake4868]

No mention of F35 stealth fleet or submarines sounds a bit suspect this Interview to me

[@zhufortheimpaler4041]

the F-35 has a 55% readiness rate. Meaning of the 26 F-35´s shared between Airforce and Navy, only 14-15 are operational at each time. those are next to irrelevant. The submarine fleet is struggling. The Uk has managed to produce a launch failure of every Trident II test launch since 2007, meaning its doubtful that the vanguard class SSBN´s would do their job in a proper war situation. The Astute class is only 5 ships large, over budget and also has some problems. 40% of the british defense spending are absorbed by the british nuclear weapons programm, meaning effectively the UK has a defense spending on the non nuclear forces of about 33 billion instead of 54 billion. Thats not sufficient to fulfill even the basic needs of the british armed forces, like maintaining barracks in habitable conditions.

[@ianbliss819]

@@zhufortheimpaler4041 Our war readiness is an absolute shambles. Britain was very fortunate to be able to retake the Falklands. We were two/ three days away from having to withdraw, due to serviceable fighting machinery being unavailable. Governments never learn - particularly the UK’s.

[@bamlin52]

The UK has 100 F35 fighter Planes. We purchased them from the USA. Do your research first.

[@aircvr4175]

His point is how few of those fighters are on Alert status, not that the UK has no such fighters.

[@RelationalDatabase-us7fr]

43 F35 actually + a few in the USA

[@RelationalDatabase-us7fr]

Oops when they are all delivered

[@ConradAinger]

'Short wars of choice' he says. Meaning NATO's attacks on weak countries.

[@tomosa6880]

I noticed that the political parties have not really addressed this huge issue on defence. If there was ever an obvious warning from history, it's now. Pre WW2 , we were not prepared for the war, ie Dunkirk, and we were in a better pre-war state then ,than now. We have about 6 typhoons ready for action right now, across the UK. ... 6. ... We only have about 150 fighter jets, and we cannot rely on NATO partners totally,as their own air force would be defending it's own air space right? , and the USA has another "front" in China to possibly defend against. So, we need to triple the air force, at least have 200,000 actual soldiers, with at least the same in reserve, the navy has issues to buy I am not fully aware of them so won't comment, but have no doubt.. we are in a pre war state now, if you want peace, prepare to fight. 👍🇺🇦🇬🇧🇺🇸🇨🇦🇭🇲🇨🇰

[@tonygold1661]

War narrows the aperture and insists on focus.

[@glennquagmire1747]

Dont believe this nonsense, Britain has many trained pilots.

[@martinchamberlain542]

Far too few. The RAF has a serious training backlog, with many trainees being put on hold for extended periods of time. This is due to inadequate purchases of training aircraft over many years, and poor retention of experienced pilots who see well paid jobs with the airline industry as a more attractive proposition.

[@LuisOscarFarias]

UK Military exellence🇬🇧❤️

[@wilburshaw9330]

Don’t worry, the U.S. will step up & save you….again!

[@windymiller6908]

I wouldn't count on that either.

[@nevillespence6101]

After listening to this, how could anyone vote for Labour or Tory

[@LuisOscarFarias]

Te amo 🇬🇧❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🇬🇧❤️❤️❤️❤️ te Bendiga ❤❤ britain

[@aerial558]

Limited is an understatement if Putin decides to vent his anger towards the UK?

[@ianlaws3857]

There is so much going on behind closed doors , social platforms bearly scratch the surface

[@rayf926]

Britain forces coulld.t scramble an egg. We need a strong NATO

[@windymiller6908]

but they can make a jolly decent cup of tea...so there!

[@richardprowse1088]

Sadly our armed forces have been systematically gutted since '91 and no longer fit for purpose. Before options for change the RAF had around 400 front line fighters, now were down to less than 133. Not that all of these are availble at once. Plus the shortage of new pilots, poor personnel retention and recruitment makes it difficult to field any meaningful force. It is about time the government woke up and put a plan together to revitalise our military. Moving away from impossible diversity quotas, recruiting the best candidates, making staying in the forces attractive and treating families better should be their goal.

[@deep6483]

R western countrys should be like when my dad was a boy ,all school students should be trained like the army reserve so they are ready for action,and help students get a trade at the same time

[@grahamwalker5693]

ITS CALLED THE Army Cadet Force, repete for the navy and airforce there is 1 in every town

[@KatYesrsley]

Just stop getting involved look after our people in England

[@mrsentencename7334]

all we need is enough warships to defend the island and a powerful air force. We only need a rapid response force and a few specialised divisions in terms of the army

[@davehodges6258]

UTTER RUBBISH" Who makes this crap up,!!!

[@paulross225]

And you know this because....?

[@davehodges6258]

@@paulross225 And what makes you think we don"t have the Resources,!!

[@paulross225]

@davehodges6258 MOD reports and ex service members. Can't beat what comes straight from the horse's mouth. So now , let me throw that question straight back at you. What evidence do you have that these resources are in adequate supply Let's start with something basic, like manpower, perhaps.

[@Jonasbarbury]

They should stop with the big ticket stuff and rebuild their stockpiles

[@jasonboydgg6316]

I totally agree where is all our old gear them tornadoes and harriers we had wars before where’s all the goodies gone 🤷‍♂️

[@DC-ux1dt]

It's old gear. OLD. You need less if you have an alliance. Russia can't even get through Ukraine let alone a single NATO country. Frankly Russia is a joke.

[@galvinstanley3235]

​@@jasonboydgg6316A Harrier wouldn't last long in the air,the technology in it is old,it doesn't even have modern ECM pods on it.

[@jasonboydgg6316]

@@galvinstanley3235 yes but still has capability can fly low land anywhere and can be modified same with the tornado still a capable aircraft used right they should be stockpiled

[@BongWeasle]

We don’t have money for defence. We spend it all on welfare for illegal black africans

[@Stinger522]

I bet the readiness rate is going to get worse under your new PM.

[@Matt-yq4zr]

They retired the FGR1 with only half of their airframe time used. They should have stuck them into storage. BAE said they could be upgraded, but the RAF said no.

[@TonyWilkes-p6j]

What about the F35s on the Queen Elizabeth. They would defeat easily most of anything sent against any area they could cover. Agreed not many as some US Air Force on there.

[@mrr-ee6ui]

from the 1960s to now we have gone from 1 million personal to 70k

[@jonathanturnerrhyolite133]

It's possible we would be flooded by attack drones rather than bombers.

[@derekgalia776]

Rubbish

[@philm3509]

Look at Poland in comparison.

[@janoskovacs9406]

​@cjjk9142😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@timphillips9954]

Yep Poland a land locked third world country with no capacity to move troops, no navy and no N force. Yep look at Poland, a bit of a joke just like in WW2 where the Brits and French had to go to war for them!

[@Salfordian]

Partly down to the RAF themselves who are retiring 40 Typhoon jets right now as Russia are sabre rattling

[@paulross225]

Every reason to sign up for UK military and no reason for people to want to do it. Me neither.

[@robertgillon3078]

It’s time the government got the finger 🖕 out of there A??? , And rebuild our country’s Armed Forces

[@MrPetepoet]

Why can they not put air defence up all around England not just aeroplanes?

[@user-nu2lr3xd7b]

Ukraine and Israel took everything bye bye West!

[@DC-ux1dt]

F off Russian trolls.

[@DC-ux1dt]

Easy. cost. Hugely expensive. And the UK chose to spend it to keep the NHS going and free schools and old age homes.

[@paulmitchell5349]

@@DC-ux1dt Tax the billionaires . Loads of 'em in UK.

[@Dani-mw2ws]

@@user-nu2lr3xd7b says Ivan , RuZZIa can not take Vovchansk,, bye bye RuZZKi Federation Like ruzzki Soviet Union

[@robertbate5790]

Of course we arent. Worse we've been bragging about it for years. 😡🇬🇧😡🇬🇧😡🇬🇧

[@paulmitchell5349]

....and China ?

[@Radio478]

Yes this is speaking the truth 👏

[@stephen8433]

UNBELIVABLE!

[@confederatenationalist7283]

This isn't new.The RAF has been effectively wiped out over a period of decades.Although at the end of the the day the strategic nuke deterrent is all that matters and that's delivered by ICBM.Any major war will escalate to that regardless so why not just cut to the chase and save the cash.

[@paulthomas-hh2kv]

Think there is only about 35 operational tanks 😂

[@GrooveTasticThang]

We are an island 🤔

[@zhufortheimpaler4041]

@@GrooveTasticThang with NATO obligations on the mainland. so you need an operational and sizable army with good equipment.

[@zhufortheimpaler4041]

@cjjk9142 thats the inventory, currently there are only enough for a bataillon (44) operational.

[@zhufortheimpaler4041]

@cjjk9142 wouldnt change much if t was wartime, still the UK wouldnt be able to field more than 150 Challengers

[@zhufortheimpaler4041]

@cjjk9142 This sorry little island nation has NATO Obligations, as it is also relying on NATO to protect it. So either the UK fulfills its NATO Obligations (meaning the promised armored Division in 2026 at readiness and a full armored brigade stationed in Estonia as part of this division and the NATO Battlegroup Estonia) or it is questionable if other NATO partners come to the UKs aid if it needs it. The UK falling short on its promises and obligations is negatively inflicting NATO cohesion. But yes, of course the UK can turn into a solo nation outside the EU and NATO. Dont think this would go well for the UK though. As 90% of british armament projectes are reliant on the UK being IN NATO or closely afiliated to the EU.

[@ivanconnolly7332]

So that's why they are called "the few".

[@intothewild5045]

150 jets and less than 10 work what is the point .

[@JDDC-tq7qm]

Can UK intercept Sarmat Heavy ICBM loaded with 150 megaton

[@zhufortheimpaler4041]

nope

[@mervhoward5821]

I’ll tell you what, there is NOTHING like telling the Russians what we are, ore not capable of.

[@zhufortheimpaler4041]

dude the russians know that already.

[@OllySANDOH.24.]

I totally agree 👍 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇬🇧🌎❤️

[@martinbayliss3868]

I think scrapping the tranche 1 RAF Typhoons needs to be stopped. NOW. Also there needs to be a new batch of both Hawks and Typhoons ordered for the RAF. If it is at all possible to get any Harriers and Sea Harriers back into service that needs to happen NOW. The GCAP needs to continue as planned though new aircraft we can put into service NOW need to be prioritised and that means Hawks and Typhoons. The defence budget needs to increase in yes, you guessed it, NOW. Spending NOW on armaments will prevent an even bigger outlay in expenditure in the future. Just hoping things get better is not going to work. Resurrecting the UK artillery design and build capability with new land and naval as90 variants needs to start NOW. Plus restarting a UK based design and manufacture capability of ship diesel generator sets needs to happen NOW. Thirty years of incompetence and corruption needs to end NOW.

[@BarryBull-mv5no]

Is britain READY LOL WHAT COMEDIAN WROTE THIS .. FUNNIEST JOKE HEARD IN LONG TIME

[@henriramonfosse]

Frankly I think you misjudge the whole situation, assuming you are honest.

[@duncansouthall6519]

Sorry, you are incredibly naive. We have squandered the peace dividend post 1989. Successive governments of all colours have underestimated the threat. A war in Europe was unthinkable 30 years ago but the reality is we have a real threat to democracy right now. He is quite right, this is a potential 1939 moment. You don't appease dictators and negotiate, you provide a credible deterrent.

[@Luigi13]

Great Britain has been chit chatting for the last two and a half years isn't it? I hope that they see more realistically that they need to rearm and quickly create from the ground up a serious military in all three areas to face Russia or any threat when confronted.

[@PitchBlackTales]

Its slowly happening. $13bn is being spent on rearming just ammunition/missile stocks at the moment after donations to Ukraine. Largest amount of naval ship building happening since the 1960s. Multiple programs pushed forward. But its not with enough haste. Politics always getting in the way. Although, it is happening faster than say France or Germany, but much slower than Poland.

[@chrisyearsley8179]

Wew have 130 typhoons in active service and 29 f35b in service

[@zhufortheimpaler4041]

107 typhoons, 26 F-35´s. Typhoons have an average readiness rate of 75%, meaning around 78 aircraft are operational and can made ready within a few days, F-35 has a 55% readiness rate, meaning aroudn 14 aircraft are operational at each time.

[@AnthonyTolhurst-dw1nc]

Run down since the 60’s. Intentionally. Labor.

[@Hermantrueman]

Can't defend are borders and the sun newspaper backs Labour 😮 we are fkd thank u the sun

[@kvintersvinterz]

I do not agree that Putin's behavior is irrational. We can say that Putin was mistaken if he really thought to quickly seize Ukraine, but already the Istanbul peace negotiations and their conditions, in my opinion, show that Putin was ready to conclude a rather moderate and compromise agreement. As an argument for Putin’s irrationality, information is given about Russia’s colossal military losses. During the war, both sides do not disclose this data, I believe that the West, as a party to the conflict, also distorts this data, but okay, let's take Western data on losses. The New York Times in the fall of 2023 approximately estimated Russia's losses at 300 thousand people (120 thousand killed, 170 thousand wounded), and Ukraine's losses at approximately 200 thousand people (70 thousand killed, 120 thousand wounded). The new Ukrainian mobilization of 500 thousand people and the fact that men are prohibited from leaving Ukraine and men are caught on the streets say something about Ukrainian losses. Approximately 5-8 million people live in the territories annexed to Russia. In Donbass and Crimea, the majority are Russian people and people who want to live in Russia and do not want to live in modern Ukraine; in the other annexed territories there are also such people and there are quite a lot of them. In addition, according to Ukrainian data, this year about 130 thousand people moved from Ukrainian territory to territories annexed by Russia. Can Ukraine defeat Russia and regain these territories? Well, the last big Ukrainian offensive completely failed, and Russia is now slowly but steadily advancing. The Russian economy is not destroyed, the global south does not really want to join Western sanctions against Russia. In addition, Putin may hope for some change in Western politics as a result of the elections, although I would not hope for this. So I don't really understand why Putin is irrational when he hopes to conclude an agreement on the neutrality of Ukraine and the annexation of some Russian-speaking regions to Russia. NATO can send troops to Ukraine and go to direct war with Russia, but that will be NATO's choice and I think that if NATO really wants this then maybe NATO is irrational if they want war with Russia because of Ukraine's membership in NATO and because return to Ukraine of territories where people want to live in Russia.

[@cosplayshop]

The irrational parts is that if Russia want Ukraine neutrality, it cannot be thru a war, unless it's in his calculation that he can overrun Ukraine easily, but then it in itself, is a irrational thought if he really does think his force can overrun Ukraine easily. The issue here is, thru this action. The Russian basically pushes Sweden and Finland into NATO. Essentially loses Ukraine forever if Ukraine remain independent, and also damaging his own economy. Global South cannot replace the West as a source of income, the West is roughly 2/3 of world trade. Global South at best is 1/10. You basically lose out 66% to gain 10% if they all started trade with Russia. On the other hand, China may or may not even engage in a level of Global South as they don't want to lose the contract in the West. Which is where majority of their 40% GDP in Manufactuing base is going to. Russian economy was not destroyed but had set back in several decade and it's only going to go worse because in 2040, the projected median age for Russia is 45-48, and if the loss (both combat lost and emigration) while the other is high 30 to low 40. You are talking about there won't be enough people to prop up Russian economy after 2040 when the median workforce had at most 15 years left to work. On the other hand, with that number of losses, the meaning to capture those area to resettle Ethic Russian in Ukraine become a moot point, Donbas population has been devasted (By the way, not all 6 million moved to Russia, it's estimated 1.2 to 1.5 million moved East). By the end of this war, the male Donbas population may not even effectively exist anymore, and which mean by the time this war had ended, you are left with a heavily damaged region with low to no prospect to rebuild. Putin had not been able to conclude this war in favourable or even neutral term, because to do that, he will need to either able to walk inside Kyiv (ie Russian force took Kyiv) and initiate a regime change to be favorable. Or he would have to somehow make Ukraine drop their NATO bid to be neutral. Taking Kyiv is probably never going to happen in this war, as that is probably the most defended capital on earth. And with the current rate. It would take the Russian roughly 30 years to conquer the entire Donbas, this is not going to make Ukraine drop their lunch menu in the negotiation table, let alone their NATO bid. That is what irrational for Putin to think things will go his way judging from the way this war had positioned.

[@heathereley9749]

But Putin's demands were and remain unacceptable. He knows this. His aim in proposing peace on such terms is to give the illusion of "reason". He can say, "look, I am willing to negotiate. Ukraine is not". But, don't be fooled. His overall aim is to regain territories from the Russian Empire thereby restoring Russian greatness. He idolises Catherine and Peter the Great and wants to be seen as they are. A ceasefire just gives him a chance to regroup before attacking again.

[@johnhudson1965]

Its quite crazy, eg the type 23 frigate is an excellent surface ship,cost abt £120m, ... been replaced by the type 26 frigate..costing £1,3bn... yet structurally, performances the ships arr very close? Whoevers buying the retiring type 23s are getting an excellent ship at a ridiculous bargain price. Why? The Spanish have an excellent surface helicopter/aircraft carrier, as with the french, costing €400m, carries abt 12-20 f35s. Yet the QE2 class carries 40 f35s, costing a min of £3,5bn... could weep...

[@Johnnyyoucantcatch]

The Russians can simulate a hijacking of an airplane with a nuke.

[@xaero76]

most nukes will explode when he tries to launch them anyway...

[@stevenvater2681]

...quite a lot less than 10. ..... 4? .. we had 800 + in cold war

[@CubaLibre69]

How have you let your forces become so few and incapable?

[@xaero76]

Because the US has bases in the UK and NATO on front lines

[@CubaLibre69]

@@xaero76 i’m not sure if you’re aware of this. But, there’s a gentleman by the name of Donald Trump that’s running for office in the United States. His opinion is that we should tell Europeans screw off and let you all handle your own defense. You all should start worrying about self-preservation more than you worry about government handouts. Because this nut bag will do what he says, and it looks pretty likely he’s going to be elected. Good luck.

[@gregs7562]

To get to the UK they need to come down via Sweden, Norwegian, Dutch & Danish airspace. So through the airspace of 4 other nato nations. So just how does the russian bomber fleet arrive here unannounced & in a position to lob missiles ?

[@zhufortheimpaler4041]

easier done than you think. its also not just home defense for the RAF, the RAF has NATO obligations in the baltics and romania for Air Policing etc.

[@JkDibine]

RU bodycount: 541k, 1000+

[@paulcoverdale8312]

No we are not!!!!

[@markeh1971]

Hi we are not “thin” we are clueless led by clowns! So how long has Putin been threatening this? Maybe a change of government will get this sorted. For gods sake spend the money or we will burn. Take care M

[@olwendalley1904]

Why report this Doh telling to all world!!!!!

[@RichardGilbey]

Britain has millions of Spitfires But it is correct we will only need a few to see off the soviet camp

[@windymiller6908]

TALLY-HO old chap!

[@donaldduck5731]

Rishi Sunaks tapped away on his excel spreadsheet, done some bean counting and notified all are adversaries, they can't do anything until 2030 as it's won't fit in with his budgetary spending plans, so all is good, no worries.

[@ArchStanton-xw2bd]

Weve given our weapons to Ukraine

[@Rocket_scientist_88]

Nope.

[@ArchStanton-xw2bd]

@@Rocket_scientist_88 K

[@Alan_Saund_Models]

RAF best air force in the world 👍

[@BongWeasle]

Are you on drugs?

[@zhufortheimpaler4041]

not even close

[@georgeoconnor4155]

They have an Uncle Sam

[@TheHateSpeechChannel]

And who's fault is that?