Paul Johnston: A step change in defence readiness for UK as stark threat of Russia emerges
I joined the Ministry of Defence in September 1990, shortly after the publication of 'Options for Change', the UK government's response to the end of the Cold War, with the collapse of the Warsaw Pact the previous year and the imminent unification of Germany.
Fast forward a third of a century and it's clear we are in a post-post-Cold War world. The assumptions we made then about a new era of rules-based cooperation and indeed of NATO partnership with Russia have been brutally shattered.
China is a sophisticated and enduring challenge to many of the West's interests. Extremism is a scourge in many parts of the world. The world is a bleaker, less stable, more complicated place than at any time in my professional life.
It was against that this backdrop that soon after the UK election last year Keir Starmer invited three external experts – former NATO Secretary General George Robertson, a retired General Richard Barrons and Fiona Hill, distinguished academic and former US NSA official - to work with our Ministry of Defence on a radical assessment of what UK Defence requires in the decade ahead.
Their review was published last week. Its conclusions are stark.
The threat we now face is more serious and less predictable than at any time since the Cold War, with the reality of war in Europe, growing Russian aggression, not just against Ukraine, nuclear risks, and daily cyber attacks.
Technology is exploited by our adversaries as fast as we seek to adopt it. Hostile nations and non-state actors cooperate more closely together.
The Review pulls no punches. It identifies Russia as an 'immediate and pressing' threat to Britain and our Allies. Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine made clear its malign, neo-imperialist ambitions, its intent to re-establish its sphere of influence and to disrupt the international order.
The modernisation and expansion of Russia's armed forces pose an enduring threat to the West, despite its capabilities being seriously degraded through the war in Ukraine, by the bravery and resilience of Ukraine's armed forces and people.
The conclusion is inescapable.
As the international security environment deteriorates, the UK will redouble its efforts within NATO and step up its contribution to Euro-Atlantic security more broadly. Deterrence in, and defence of, the Euro-Atlantic region is a core role for UK Defence. Our forces contribute daily – and silently - to deterrence and we will strengthen them to create an integrated force optimised for warfighting to protect and defend NATO territory.
No-one in Britain's government relishes having to contemplate conflict, but it was long ago said 'if you want peace prepare for war'.
We will do so with a comprehensive all-of-government response, accepting all the Review's recommendations, focussing on readiness, resources and reform.
The review marks a significant shift in our deterrence and defence posture: moving to 'warfighting' readiness, to deter threats and strengthen security in the Euro Atlantic area.
We will have a 'NATO first' defence policy and strengthen our leadership within the Alliance. Defence, like charity, begins at home and we will establish a more lethal 'integrated force' equipped for the future and for strengthened homeland defence.
We will invest in new submarines, drones, armoured vehicles, but also in cyber, AI and the cutting-edge innovation technologies that will keep us ahead of our enemies.
Options for Change's 'peace dividend' released billions of pounds for wider public spending in the 1990s.
That's not an option today. Rather, we are investing in a defence and deterrence dividend, the largest sustained increase to UK defence spending since the end of the Cold War. We will increase defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP by 2027, and aim to reach 3 per cent in the next Parliament, ie by 2034.
This is also an investment in UK industry, skills, research and innovation. Our Defence Investment Plan will seize new technology opportunities and maximise the benefits of defence spending to grow the UK economy, creating jobs and prosperity through a new partnership with industry, and through radical procurement reforms.
For too long, defence investment, particularly defence procurement, has led to sub-optimal results. Projects come in behind time and over budget.
This is not unique to the UK or to the defence sector. But it is indefensible, and our Ministers are committed to tackling it. Overlong and complex processes will be streamlined, with innovation and procurement measured in weeks not years.
We will make UK Defence a more attractive market for private capital, by supporting and investing in start-ups and new technology companies in areas such as AI, quantum, and Space, and we'll remove the bureaucracy and red tape that are barriers to collaboration with Defence suppliers.
We will establish a new £400m (€475m) UK Defence Innovation fund to support and help grow companies throughout the whole of the UK.
'NATO First' does not mean 'NATO only'.
The agreement of the UK/EU Security and Defence Partnership on 19 May was an important moment.
As our leadership of the coalition of the willing on Ukraine has shown, we intend working cooperatively on European Security with the EU and bilaterally with European partners.
This includes, of course, with Ireland.
We committed to developing our defence relationship at the UK/Ireland Summit in March, and we're ready to do so, respecting Ireland's long-established military neutrality, but also the shared understanding that the world has changed and we are all, in our different ways, obliged to react.
Paul Johnston is the current British Ambassador to Ireland
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Independent
36 minutes ago
- Irish Independent
As long as Putin tries to appease Russia's far right, war in Ukraine will continue
But president Vladimir Putin's unwavering commitment to his maximalist ambitions in Ukraine has polarised Russian society. A March 2025 Levada Centre poll revealed that 59pc of Russians support the initiation of peace negotiations, and that figure soared to 76pc amongst Russians under the age of 24. Nonetheless, there is a vocal ultranationalist minority that is continuing to stoke the flames of war with Ukraine and perpetual conflict with Nato. Since Ukraine announced support for a 30-day ceasefire in Jeddah on March 11, Russian ultranationalists have urged Putin to reject peaceful negotiations and escalate the war. Former Kremlin advisor Sergey Markov cautioned Putin against accepting a ceasefire unless it was paired with an arms embargo on Ukraine. In an April 2025 interview with ultranationalist outlet Tsargrad, fascist philosopher Alexander Dugin declared: 'Let's be realistic: we need to bet on our own strength and prepare for a new round of confrontation.' Dugin's target was the European Union and he argued that Europe was already preparing for war with Russia. Despite countervailing pressure from business-minded elites like Russia Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) chief Kirill Dmitriev and oligarch Vladimir Potanin, Putin's actions have aligned closely with the pro-war camp's agenda. Putin's stalling tactics have convinced the US to stop negotiating with Russia for the time being and the Russian military has stretched the frontlines to capitalise on Ukraine's war material constraints. The recent destruction of Russian strategic bombers via Ukraine's Operation Spiderweb has only strengthened Putin's intransigence. Why is Putin aligning with Russia's ultranationalist minority, even though doing so leads to tighter sanctions and only marginal offensive gains? Like many of the mysteries surrounding contemporary Russia, the answer can be found in Putin's understanding of Russian history. While Western experts have paid extensive attention to the threat of popular unrest and liberal dissidents like the now-deceased Alexei Navalny to authoritarian stability in Russia, history shows that the biggest threat to Putin's regime comes from the ultranationalist right. Tsar Nicholas II's suppression of the total war rhetoric of conservative philosopher Ivan Ilyin, and ultranationalist firebrand Vladimir Zhirinovsky's rise from the ashes of the 1993 constitutional crisis, are cautionary tales for Putin. The abortive June 2023 Wagner Group mutiny reaffirmed to Putin the significance of the threat from militant ultranationalists. Through acts of repression like Wagner Group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin's assassination and MH-17 perpetrator Igor Girkin's imprisonment, Putin has mitigated the immediate danger posed by ultranationalists to his regime's stability. He has co-opted the Russian Orthodox Church, the Communist Party of the Russian Federation and hawkish regional governors to ensure that an ultranationalist bloc does not consolidate. The militarisation of Russian society means that this is only a temporary fix, and ultranationalists could try to topple Putin if the war ends on unfavourable terms for Russia. As ultranationalists saw Russia's cessation of the 2008 Georgian War that left Mikheil Saakashvili in power and the 2015 Minsk II Accords with Ukraine as gestures of appeasement of the West, the onus is on Putin to pursue total victory. If Putin pursues general mobilisation, he risks widespread unrest The challenge for Putin is that he has few available escalation cards. The recommendations that Russia's most hawkish voices have pushed since the Ukraine invasion began in February 2022 are suicidal. If he pursues general mobilisation, he risks widespread socioeconomic unrest and the destruction of the current stealth conscription system that provides Russia with the manpower it needs. If he gambles with tactical nuclear weapons use, Russia will likely destroy its partnership with China and image in the Global South. This means that Putin needs to appease ultranationalists by doing more of the same: indefinitely stalling a ceasefire and intensifying Russia's war against Ukrainian civilians. As it would take Russia 152 years to occupy all of Ukraine at its current monthly rate of advance, this will not completely satisfy Russian ultranationalists. While Putin wields dictatorial power in modern Russia, his grip is weaker than it appears. This is why he needs to appease ultranationalists at the expense of peace in Europe and the lives of hundreds of thousands of Russians.
The Irish Sun
6 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Terror cops probe RAF security bungle after pro-Palestine fanatics break into Britain's biggest air base
TERROR cops were last night probing a security shambles after pro-Palestine fanatics on scooters broke into Britain's biggest air base. The thugs Advertisement 7 Red paint can be seen on and around the Airbus Voyager at RAF Brize Norton Credit: ITV News 7 A Palestine Action fanatic rides towards the plane on an electric scooter after evading security at the base Credit: x 7 The vandals' paint kit hangs from the scooter's handlebars Credit: x PM Keir Starmer called the attack 'disgraceful'. The group, Palestine Action will be outlawed as a terrorist organisation after the brazen paint stunt at Britain's biggest air base. The Government was last night under huge pressure following the security shambles at the high-security base. Home Secretary Advertisement READ MORE RAF NEWS Two fanatics on electric scooters were thought to have cut a section of the base's eight-mile perimeter fence in rural Oxfordshire, early yesterday. Palestine Action They then used converted fire extinguishers to spray paint on to the turbines and fuselages of the planes in a bid to ruin the engines. The fanatics fled and were being hunted by counter-terror cops. Advertisement Most read in The Sun PM The group also targeted commercial sites in Manchester and Chelmsford, Essex, yesterday which they claimed had links to Israel. Security alert as man seen climbing up Big Ben sparking huge emergency response Checks were under way on the aircraft, which cost £750million over their lifetime. Sources said damage to the engines could run into 'seven figures'. The RAF does not expect the incident to affect wider operations. Advertisement transport and refuelling, including flights to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus. 7 Paint can be seen daubed on the engine and fuselage at dawn Credit: Sky News 7 The group claims to have sprayed paint into the engine - and putting the jet out of action Credit: Sky News Palestine Action said: 'By decommissioning two military planes, Palestine Action have directly intervened in the genocide and prevented crimes against Palestinians.' Advertisement But a defence source said the group was 'confused and misguided' in its mission. The source said: 'These planes were for air transport and air-to-air refuelling. Trying to link the Voyager fleet to Gaza is ridiculous.' An MoD spokesman confirmed that Voyager aircraft had not been involved in refuelling or supporting Israeli Air Force jets. They have been used to refuel RAF Typhoons fighting IS in Iraq and Syria, and against the Houthi rebels in Yemen. Advertisement Retired Col Richard Kemp said: 'Brize was attacked not by external forces but the enemy within. It was a deliberate act of sabotage.' Lord West, the former head of the Royal Navy, described the breach as 'shocking'. He added: 'Bearing in mind the very real risks of attacks from terrorists and Russian proxy state actors, it's unbelievable that such lax protection should be afforded to vital equipment and, in the final analysis, our people.' Tory leader Advertisement She said: 'This is not lawful protest, it's politically-motivated criminality.' A defence source said it was impossible to patrol the base '24/7, 365'. They said: 'We do have fences, cameras and barbed wire but to patrol with dogs all the time costs a huge amount of manpower and some of it comes back on spending to the Armed Forces.' 7 Terror cops are probing the security shambles that allowed pro-Palestine fanatics on scooters to break into Britain's biggest air base Credit: NC Advertisement 7 PM Keir Starmer called the attack 'disgraceful' Credit: EPA After the stunt, Defence Secretary investigation and a review of wider security at our bases. Palestine Action has previously focused attention on Israeli defence contractor Elbit Systems Ltd. In March the group claimed to have shut down its Bristol HQ using a cherry picker. Four people were charged over damage caused. Advertisement Hunt for missiles as Israel blitzed By Nick Parker, in Tel Aviv ISRAELI fighter-bombers were racing against time to smash Iranian missile launchers last night as ballistic rockets rained down on the Jewish state. It came as a mushroom cloud hung over Israel's northern port city of Haifa where a blast left 17 people injured, three seriously, yesterday afternoon. Shrapnel tore into a 16-year-old boy's upper body, and two other victims, aged 54 and 40, had blast wounds to their legs. An overnight lull in the attacks — in which just one Iranian rocket penetrated Israel's Iron Dome, David's Sling and Arrow missile shields — ended with a rare nationwide alert. Sirens sounded from Galilee in the north, Tel Aviv in the west, the capital Jerusalem, and the southern city of Beersheba where a hospital was hit on Thursday. Huge blasts were heard as interceptors streaked into the sky and explosions were reported across the nation as about 25 missiles homed in. The worst damage was reported in Haifa as Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei crowed that Israel was getting its 'comeuppance'. Israeli President Isaac Herzog said last night that Haifa's Al-Jarina mosque 'was struck by an Iranian missile, injuring Muslim clerics and worshippers'. And the IDF said an Iranian missile which hit Beersheba was fitted with a cluster bomb warhead. These weapons — banned by 112 nations — explode above ground, scattering bomblets to cause maximum damage and casualties. Israeli warplanes were yesterday mounting constant missions to knock out Iran's 300 rocket launchers. Officials claimed two thirds of them had been hit.
Irish Examiner
8 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Assisted dying set to become law in England and Wales after bill passed by MPs
Terminally ill people in England and Wales are to be given the right to an assisted death in a historic societal shift that will transform end-of-life care. After months of argument, MPs narrowly voted in favour of a private member's bill introduced by Labour's Kim Leadbeater, which could become law within four years. Her bill, which passed by 314 to 291 votes, a majority of 23, was hailed by campaigners as 'a day for the history books, where facts have prevailed over fear'. The emotional debate in parliament was dominated by pleas from opponents of the bill for stricter safeguards against coercion by abusers, concern from disabled people and warnings about the fundamental change in the power of the state when granted new rights over life and death. British prime minister Keir Starmer voted in favour of the bill, while MPs were given a free vote. It will head to the House of Lords and peers are not expected to block its progress, though opponents said they would continue to fight the bill there. Royal assent is widely expected by the end of the year. It will give people with less than six months to live in England and Wales the right to an assisted death after approval from two doctors and a panel including a psychiatrist, social worker and senior lawyer. — The Guardian Read More Tánaiste orders evacuation of Irish embassy staff in Iran
