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MI5 is currently allocating more resources to combat threats from foreign states than it did during the Cold War, according to the agency’s director, Sir Ken McCallum. Over the past decade, the intelligence service has witnessed a fourfold increase in threats from hostile nations, identifying Russia as the foremost aggressor. Additionally, there has been a rise in aggression linked to Iran, targeting Jewish communities and military installations.
During an annual address in London, Sir Ken highlighted that Russia is engaged in hybrid warfare, leveraging non-traditional methods such as cyberattacks, misinformation, and sabotage amidst a cybersecurity environment intensified by advances in artificial intelligence (AI). He also pointed out a growing danger posed by extreme right-wing terrorism, revealing that MI5 has intercepted terrorists attempting to utilize AI, including incorporating it with drone technologies. One of the most alarming concerns he raised involves extremist groups potentially exploiting AI to enhance the use of bioweapons, though this threat has yet to fully materialize.
The intelligence head emphasized that the scale of efforts to counter terrorism is now nearly on par with those combatting state-sponsored threats, marking a significant shift in recent years. He remarked on Russia’s reluctance to engage in direct military conflict with NATO, opting instead to destabilize European nations through hybrid tactics while suffering heavy losses in its invasion of Ukraine. McCallum explained that hybrid warfare typically involves the use of proxies and covert actions, which Russia persistently denies despite mounting evidence. He noted that MI5’s extensive work in identifying and expelling nearly 1,000 Russian spies since the invasion had severely diminished Moscow’s covert capabilities, forcing it to rely on criminal groups to carry out its objectives.
In addition to Russia, Sir Ken warned of Iran’s expanding hybrid operations within the UK, which have led to 50 arrests over the past year. Much of Iran’s hostile activity has focused on Jewish targets and sensitive sites such as military bases. While he did not specifically reference the recent incident near RAF Fairford during his speech, he acknowledged afterward that Iran’s interest in such UK locations extends beyond that single case. This particular event involved the discovery of suspicious vehicles and resulted in multiple arrests, with local leaders attributing the actions to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard.
Sir Ken reaffirmed MI5’s commitment to a firm response against anyone attempting to sow disorder in the UK, whether through domestic actors or foreign sponsors. He highlighted the active use of the National Security Act, a law enacted in 2023 aimed at combating individuals working on behalf of foreign powers, which has been utilized against threats emerging from China in addition to Iran and Russia. Regarding the evolving challenge of AI, McCallum stated that the technology enables the production of tailored propaganda and radical material, assisting terrorists in improving their operational strategies, including reconnaissance and attacks with AI-powered drones. While the bioweapons risk facilitated by AI remains theoretical, its potential impact could be profound. To address these complex dangers, MI5, alongside other agencies like GCHQ and MI6, collaborates closely with the UK’s AI Security Institute.
Reflecting on AI’s unknown and unprecedented threats, McCallum noted that humanity has never before faced an adversary potentially smarter than itself. As part of this response, MI5 has established an AI Threat Assessment Centre tasked with distinguishing exaggerated fears from real risks. In light of recent developments, the UK raised its terrorism threat level to severe in April—the highest in five years—signaling a highly likely attack. Sir Ken identified Islamist groups such as Al Qaeda and Islamic State as ongoing inspirations for attacks but underscored that the surge in threat was significantly driven by extreme right-wing terrorism. He observed that this form of terrorism often involves younger individuals and is fueled by internet radicalization. He shared an example of a recent MI5 investigation into a 13-year-old radicalized extremist in the UK, which provided valuable insight enabling an international partner to thwart a serious attack on their soil
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