Britain Must Strengthen Its Armed Forces Regardless of Putin’s FateBy General The Lord Dannatt

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Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine has exposed a hard truth: Russia’s imperial ambitions will not fade with any change of leadership in the Kremlin. The West’s current strategy of half-measures and wishful thinking plays directly into Putin’s hands. While economic sanctions and military aid to Ukraine have slowed Russia’s advance, they have not broken Putin’s resolve. His goal remains the destruction of Western unity and the restoration of Russian dominance.

Britain, like its European allies, must wake up to this reality. The Government’s pledge to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP paid for by raiding the international aid budget is woefully inadequate. Poland now spends 4.7% of its GDP on defence. Germany is establishing a €500 billion defence fund. Even traditionally neutral Sweden and Finland have joined NATO, recognising the existential threat posed by an aggressive Russia. Meanwhile, the UK’s armed forces remain dangerously overstretched, with hollowed-out capabilities after decades of cuts.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer must show real leadership. The delayed Strategic Defence Review must commit to raising defence spending to at least 3.5% of GDP not by 2030, but now. This will require difficult choices, likely including tax rises. Yet the alternative a weakened military unable to deter aggression would prove far more costly.

The Ukrainians are fighting not just for their survival, but for Europe’s security. Their sacrifice has bought us time to rearm. We must not waste it. Stronger British forces are not just a strategic necessity they are the only guarantee of peace.

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