British army is 'not ready for war,' admits Defence Secretary | LBC

Ben Kentish speaks to Defence Analyst Colonel Simon Diggins, as Defence Secretary John Healey says that, in its current state, the British Armed forces 'can't stop an invasion'.
John Healey said that the UK had become "very skilled and ready to conduct military operations", but needed to be "ready to fight" in order to deter hostile countries from becoming aggressive.
He added that ministers found the state of the armed forces was "far worse than we thought" after Labour took power in July.
Whilst Colonel Simon Diggins says the statement from the Defence Secretary could have an element of 'pre-budget politicking', he admits that the British Army 'have ceased to be able to defend itself properly.'
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[@SkankHunt-iz1nl]

Nah mate. Not going to make the same mistake my grandfather did. Risked his life for a country you can't even recognise anymore.

[@gerardodwyer5908]

Yes Minister was screaming UK's inability to defend itself in 1970s. Nothing new here.

[@TheFreewheelinNomad]

That's why you’ve got folks like me-dedicated allied soldiers. I served 10 years in the U.S. Army, The thing is, with strong alliances through the UN-and especially the U.S. Britain, or America, doesn't need to be on constant high alert, preparing for the next invasion. We’ve built a network of partners we can trust, which lets us turn our focus to the bigger stuff: Tackling poverty, fighting climate change, and pushing for equality. It's past time to let go of this endless-war mindset and start building a better future together. Let me know if you guys disagree?

[@gman509]

I disagree because a large portion of those countries rely on the US, UK and France for protection. They don't contribute and use the money meant for that to elevate their own political position at the cost of the countries their "allied with" Germany is a prime example of a free loader

[@sbrown314]

While I agree in principle, a 3-year ramp up to get UK armed forces ready is unacceptable. It should be something on the order of one month.

[@TheFreewheelinNomad]

@@gman509 I want to emphasize that there’s no country likely to invade the UK, the US, or Germany without us seeing it coming from a mile away. It's not World War II anymore; the days of a surprise D-Day invasion are long gone. Additionally, there's no pressing need for a large military force to defend against invasion when we have strong allies in the region. We should focus on diplomacy and cooperative security rather than excessive militarization.

[@BILLZ9599]

If you are talking of having allies then I think you might be missing a point, in geopolitical arena, your ally today is your enemy tomorrow depending on the interests. If your point is correct then germany wouldn't be allies with France now and UK or history has it that the US had to fight off great Britain to gain independence but you are now allies. So I personally think that as a nation, security is number one, you can't be weak and expect any future.

[@BILLZ9599]

​@@TheFreewheelinNomaddon't forget that your enemies also are strong and are looking for ways of by passing the security measures. Yes uk has nuclear weapons and any country will think twice before invading her, but don't forget that research is still on going on how to defend against them, and some might even be having that technology.

[@Nickbaldeagle02]

14 years of Tory cuts.

[@The_Phoenix_Saga]

Along with with 13 years of political correctness and current socialist "inclusion"

[@Emelina2025]

​@@The_Phoenix_Sagahe's referring to the cuts to the defence budget.

[@Theboxingobserver]

It’s 27 years of Labour/Lib Dem/Tory cuts, but yes, I see your point.

[@lestrem11]

More cuts are coming in the budget, child. ( Along with tax rises ). This is ‘change , Labour style.

[@johnvaleanbaily246]

Started with Labour.

[@mixodorians12]

Any nato member wouldn't really be able to stop china or Russia individually. This is why we are a team.

[@chrisspencer6502]

Don’t tell the smooth brains that

[@waldemarsikorski4759]

How is the invasion of Ukraine (one country) that started in 2014 going for Russia?

[@saba1030]

​@@waldemarsikorski4759 Well, both countries share their borders, no NATO troops are supporting Ukraine, just supporting with military equipment, training and advice...Not comparable.. Oh, and the "three days special military operation" is going....Well, Putler needs stuff from Iran, North Korea, Nepal (Russian headhunters trying to get Nepalese young men to join)....

[@Kimbangu-o5u]

Why do Russia and China want to invade the UK for? Western propaganda at its finest manufacturing consent bunch of warmongers.

[@jrobertsoneff]

@@waldemarsikorski4759 Russia is worried Nato may pull out of Kursk.

[@Jourifouler]

Never trust a Tory

[@The_Phoenix_Saga]

Never trust any politician. What they say and what they do are two different things.

[@mixodorians12]

​@The_Phoenix_Saga The tories love it when people like you say this.

[@The_Phoenix_Saga]

@@mixodorians12 And the ones all politicians ultimately answer to, appreciate it when people like you believe that there is a difference.

[@SpamMouse]

Nor Liberal and especially not a Labour Lier.

[@PaddyInf]

When I joined the Army in 1990 we had 153'000 regular and 73'000 reserve troops. We now have 78'000 full time and 26'000 reservists. The military as a whole is roughly half the size it was back then. How anyone can think that is enough to defend a nation is beyond me.

[@jasonuren3479]

Spot on. And how many are are actually at home and in a position to defend our shores? The impression I get is, not very many.

[@tomthomas3975]

Technological advancements since 1990 render the military impact of an extra 70000 people less relevant than 35 years ago. Drones, precision guided tech etc make 70000 look like extra fodder

[@mixodorians12]

Berlin Wall and the Soviet Union collapsed, we were armed to the teeth in defence of the west. Then the 1992 recession happened, that large parts of the country didn't really recover from. Had to make swingi'ng cuts everywhere. We have had multiple recessions since. We can't justify keeping a massive military.

[@chrisspencer6502]

@@mixodorians12good old conservative fiscal responsibility

[@hiyorisarugaki1830]

If you know anything about UK forces, you would know that we are very mobile and can operate anywhere in the world. We have a small and mobile force. Whereas our opponents, Russia, China, Iran, Korea, have very large immobile land armies. They don't actually have invasion power like the UK, USA or even France. Russia could probably muster a token force of 2000 men, China 3000, Iran 0, Korea 0. So when people complain we cant defend ourself, defend ourself from who? the USA and France?

[@Emelina2025]

So cutting the defence budget during Austerity years was a bad thing then? Who knew?

[@Gabriel_H77]

No. We are part of NATO which could collectively cut defense spending by 50% and still outman, outgun and outspend Russia, China, Iran and NK combined. Could we fight a war of aggression? Probably not, but last I looked we aren't planning on invading anyone ... or are we?

[@bjdaniels4228]

Get it together UK!

[@cathymartens7478]

With all due respect, who would want to invade Britain. Plus, which alliance in the last quarter of a century has been doing all the invading😂

[@GlynnHughes-xi4po]

Why do we want the resources? To make war with people’s in their own countries? We are not a world power or world policeman. We need a defensive force only and not an offensive one. Protect our shores and our own people’s. Let others choose their own fate, we wouldn’t like others telling us what we need when our own system is broken and corrupt.👍

[@bettyrobb8219]

I think the same is true about Canada!This is worrisome. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇨🇦🇬🇧

[@ricardosmythe2548]

What country is capable of putting 500k troops on our shores, suppluing them and providing them with sufficient air cover? Thats what would be needed just to deal with the UKs defences not nato's

[@martinsweeney7633]

Bingo

[@sbrown314]

The UK has the smallest army since the Napolionic Wars thanks to the Tories. Remember that next time you think about voting for them.

[@brianferguson7840]

Silly comment really considering that the British army during the Napolionic wars was (including militias) the biggest in its history. 347,000 men.

[@sbrown314]

@@brianferguson7840 Since does not mean during. While you are correct that during the Napolionic Wars the numbers were ~300k, in the period since then the numbers have reached their lowest right now at ~82k.

[@garagenigel]

​​@@sbrown314 82k?? more like 68k and reducing less 10% on the sick etc etc we couldn't fill st James's park with fighting fit regulars

[@sbrown314]

@@garagenigel Thanks - I didn't realise it was as low as that. I think we can all agree that the UK is badly exposed.

[@onawhim9079]

What are we defending ourselves from... we have nukes

[@bettyrobb8219]

Others have Nukes also!

[@brianferguson7840]

Fool making foolish comments.

[@XOsubmariner]

And the British border force can't even stop a rubber dinghy

[@Gabriel_H77]

It can and does, at which point it has a legal duty to care for those on board, and the UK has a legal duty to allow asylum claims.

[@XOsubmariner]

@@Gabriel_H77 Poundland armchair human rights lawyer entered the chat

[@garagenigel]

​@@XOsubmarinernonsense you melt! You haven't got a clue how the world works!

[@Gabriel_H77]

@@garagenigel Nah, I just have an IQ above 75.

[@Slowbiker1957]

Best little army in the world

[@sbrown314]

I'm surprised the Tories didn't try to privatise the armed forces like everything else in the UK.

[@Gabriel_H77]

Erm ... they did. "Contractors" aka mercenaries.

[@sbrown314]

@@Gabriel_H77 Why am I not surprised 😩

[@Bushwacker-mb6hw]

We’re being invaded every day!

[@JohnDickson-k5t]

Exactly 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇬🇧

[@Salman_Saho]

Hey how is that brilliant “war on terror” going matey? Have you won yet? 😂

[@emilymccartney1593]

Where are all the Patriots? They should be signing up in their droves 😂

[@Emelina2025]

In Spain.

[@SuperRipper1888]

They won't be fighting for this government I'm sure.

[@Barralet58]

Armchair warriors 😂

[@garagenigel]

Too busy noshing off Tommy Yaxley Lennon and Farage!

[@Magyarmeister]

The west isn't worth defending any more.

[@achandler6583]

The armed forces will have to fight the enemy within our borders! As young male adults multiply in hotels!

[@garagenigel]

😂😂😂 I've been hearing this nonsense for forty years!

[@soton5teve]

UKCitizenArmy playlist on youtube

[@sebjones1566]

My brothers Regiment wouldn't get out the gate. 80% percent of the vehicle fleet is unworkable or broken.

[@alan102g]

We would not make much deifference...If there was a war.

[@a.m6845]

Blame the Conservatives. 14 years of incompetence has ruined the country.

[@Anjuli72]

Palestine and Lebanon weren't ready either

[@gs42816]

Would you keep a guard dog that has no teeth... pointless and a waste of money.

[@baduedward5399]

Ukraine should think twice

[@Itsnotcomplicatedreally]

Aren't we supposedly sending Military aid to Israel and Ukraine and arming different African militias?

[@Mod-rw9cw]

Thanks to 14 yrs of Tory austerity and cuts. We couldn’t even fight against Luxembourg and win now !

[@nollem41]

He could deploy the boy scouts..

[@RichardFraser-y9t]

Ffs. This is why we are in NATO

[@yairhorowitz9772]

the problem is that everybody in NATO thinks like you , so at the end you have a pretty weak alliance with one US who caries. Do you really think that the UK will hold it's part of the alliance and send troops to defend a different nation? you guys don't have the public support for that move. (middle east view)

[@colincampbell4261]

Well - don't go picking fights with anyone then.

[@mikj29]

Two things springs to mind , first off when brits where in iraq the us had to give them equipment and boots so that was the first warning,2nd one is spending so much on Ukraine is the other

[@garagenigel]

I had my British supplied boots and equipment thanks,I even had body armour and rounds! Overstretched logistics and the odd occasion incompetence caused supply problems not lack of funding or equipment!

[@lestrem11]

Daily we prove we can’t even stop unarmed immigrants.😵‍💫

[@williamelewis464]

You know what you should do then become a border security since you can do it sooooooo much better and clearly see where the issues are. Or are you Chicken?

[@lestrem11]

@@williamelewis464 Ask the BBC reporters to do it, they aren’t having any problems finding the ‘gangs’.

[@williamelewis464]

@@lestrem11So you are chicken, that bocks constantly, figured as much

[@lestrem11]

@@williamelewis464 You must be Welsh.

[@garagenigel]

​@@lestrem11because it's common knowledge 😂😂 it's no secret FFS!

[@simonbattle2652]

As if this couldn't get any worse ......Whats going on ?

[@XTRAIT-em4rx]

There's no concerns, as the far right-wing are here.

[@clownofthetimes6727]

Anyone remember the woke army recruitment adverts. Recruitment went down, way down. I am now wondering if they were a hostile force.🤣🤣

[@garagenigel]

Nonsense!

[@abhilashv2014]

Britesh army in knees

[@brianferguson7840]

Love how your post wasn't even recognised as English language. 3/10 for spelling and grammar.

[@craigoneill2216]

An invasion from who???

[@MrYeadon1]

I’m shocked not 😡😡 so woke

[@savethebeesplantherbs8809]

I have family serving any chance you get the tools for the job? thought not resign

[@alan102g]

no money

[@Osman-mj5rf]

Very small but as they have there rouge up so many arses they be OK.

[@johnrussell3961]

In NATO ‘s response to Putin , the UK was given the job of protecting the Baltic states. It’s all we are able to defend, The BAOR no longer exists , .,

[@Nugemart]

Protect your shores, not those of others.

[@saba1030]

​@@Nugemart🙄 You know NATO ? All for one, one for all, together we're strong !!

[@saba1030]

John, haven't you heard about the "UK-German Trinity House Agreement", which was signed recently? It'll be the pillar of a defense alliance to protect the European Continent, considering the recent situation with Putler and the Orange man might come back again.. German planes surveillance aircraft P-8 Poseidons will operate from RAF Lossiemouth to help to protect the north Atlantic... Rheinmetall will build another production plant in UK.. Rheinmetall BAE Systems is modernising the challenger.. UK and Germany will develope drones etc...please look up about it ...should be available in the news ... Greetings 👋

[@actionjackson180]

Maybe the only option is to be armed and supplied by third-parties ,like the US and Europe assisting Ukraine. Then we have some sort of National Guard force and insurgent element. Ukraine seems to be holding out so far.Didn't the Vietcong and the Mujahedeen see off foreign armies?!

[@saba1030]

UK is NATO member state...

[@bettyrobb8219]

If Trump wins, he will stop aid to Ukraine, he’s Putin’s pal! They are both evil.

[@garagenigel]

Yeah with outside help!

[@robertcreighton4635]

We are in the middle of an invasion. Hundreds of boat people

[@daveturner4134]

We are in the middle of an invasion of Russian money

[@Albanach-je1nk]

Grow up and find a dark room to think in

[@Dmc-kj4iv]

​@@Albanach-je1nknot hundreds,,, but tens of thousands of unvetted military age men pouring through the southern border

[@hiyorisarugaki1830]

Get of the internet, and get a life

[@Albanach-je1nk]

@@hiyorisarugaki1830 oh boy Nigel Trump 😀😀😀

[@MrSatnavatron]

Let me build my lasers , y'all ignored your best because you cant fathom others being better than your heritage class

[@Kimbangu-o5u]

Western imperialism

[@AwaisAhmed-p4d]

😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅 BRTIAN CANT DEFEND THEMSELVES

[@darinharrison3900]

All broadcasters keep quiet about how much we spend on foreign aid that could be used on our defence ! Tories and Labour are two sides of the same coin ! Let’s see what Labour does and how much tax rises will happen in there forthcoming budget? Brace yourselves for a hit !

[@colincampbell4261]

Silly comment - foreign aid helps prevent wars - soft diplomacy, go read a book.

[@darinharrison3900]

@@colincampbell4261 so foreign aid stops wars in your opinion? Show the evidence and what books you’re advocating that proves this ?

[@williamelewis464]

@@darinharrison3900A single war history book would clear up your lack of educational experience

[@darinharrison3900]

@@williamelewis464 name a book or a government statement ? Also I studied the first and Second World War in college ! So you claim a book gives hard evidence that foreign aid stops war- name one !

[@saba1030]

​@@darinharrison3900 Please look up about the "UK-German Trinity House Agreement"...signed a few days ago...

[@KarimBoulekouirate]

British police are the best in the world British Air force are the best in the world British army are the best in the world

[@gerardodwyer5908]

Nope

[@mikepost8965]

Have you been watching too many SAS documentaries.

[@williamelewis464]

Nah…but nice try.

[@russcattell955i]

Omitted the Royal Navy I see. As they don't have enough fixed wing aircraft to fill 1 aircraft carrier, yet commissioned 2.

[@MrWhitmen1981]

It can’t the Labour Party lets it happen on boats everyday

[@Mattblack-y4x]

You were birn in 81 so you know better. You're just typing for typings sake

[@williamelewis464]

Also a repeated lie. Also a sin.

[@thfccfht]

we are already being invaded.

[@AwaisAhmed-p4d]

😅😅😅 BECAUSE YOU SENT THEM TO YOUR DADDY BIBI 😅