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The United Kingdom is currently facing risks and threats at levels not seen since the Cold War, according to the head of the UK military. Chief of the Defence Staff, Sir Richard Knighton, described this period as “the most dangerous” he has experienced in his career during an interview on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.
Sir Richard highlighted the significant increase in provocations by Russian strategic aircraft, noting that the number of incursions into UK airspace in the first five months of this year matched the total for all of 2025. He warned that Russia is “raising the stakes and risks crossing a line” through both conventional military actions and more covert methods such as cyberattacks, sabotage, and even assassination attempts.
He also referred to last year’s Strategic Defence Review as a “call to arms,” emphasizing a need to prepare for longer conflicts similar to the ongoing war in Ukraine, rather than the short, contained engagements the UK military has primarily trained for in recent decades. Sir Richard stressed that adapting to modern warfare is crucial, particularly with the growing importance of drones and autonomous systems in future conflicts.
Looking ahead, the Defence Investment Plan is expected to be published soon after multiple delays. This plan will outline the funding for new equipment and defence infrastructure over the next ten years. Defence Secretary John Healey recently reaffirmed the government’s commitment to releasing this document before the NATO summit scheduled for 7 July. When asked about concerns regarding the UK’s reduced military capabilities, Sir Richard expressed confidence that ministers understand the threats and are taking steps to increase defence spending, acknowledging the need to “spend more on defence and do it faster,” while recognizing the challenging trade-offs that ministers must make
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