Ex-British Army chief says conflict with Russia a ‘realistic possibility’

WorldPolitics
12 Jul 2025 • 2:54 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

image is not available

  • General Sir Patrick Sanders, the former head of the British Army, has warned that the UK must prepare for the possibility of war with Russia within the next five years.
  • Sir Patrick stated that a conflict with Russia by 2030 is a "realistic possibility" and urged the government to swiftly improve national resilience.
  • He criticised the UK's lack of preparedness, citing stalled conversations about underground bunkers and insufficient funding for air defences, contrasting it with countries like Finland.
  • Sir Patrick also highlighted that troop cuts have left the British Army "too small" for sustained engagement, with personnel numbers at their lowest since the Napoleonic wars.
  • He concluded that recent defence budget increases are "pretty marginal" and that the UK needs to recognise the world is as dangerous as, if not more dangerous than, during the Cold War.

IN FULL

Newswav Malaysia Best News App

Newswav is an online content aggregator and obtains its content from different online sources. The content in the app do not belong to Newswav nor do they reflect the opinions of Newswav and its staff. Your use of this app indicates your understanding and acceptance of this information.

Newswav Sdn. Bhd. (201701008480 (1222645-M)) 2026 All Rights Reserved