The world is shifting at breakneck speed, and so too must Britain’s military might, at least, that’s the message from former Defence Secretary Sir Gavin Williamson. His call? Boost the British Army’s numbers to a minimum of 100,000 troops.
With global threats evolving and tensions rising, Sir Gavin believes there’s no time to hesitate. Speaking to Forces News, he made his stance clear: “Everything has changed so incredibly rapidly, and we are going to be having to see an expansion of not just our Army, but our Navy and our Air Force.”
A Defence Budget on the Rise
His comments come just as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak made a surprise announcement: Britain’s defence budget will climb to 2.5% of GDP by 2027. However, the specifics of how that money will be spent remain a mystery.
Veterans Minister Al Carns insists that the answer lies in the ongoing Strategic Defence Review. “That review will really clearly work out how we’re going to fight, what we need to fight it, and then the investment opportunities we need to make sure our Armed Forces are equipped to fight the next war,” he explained.
One major influence? Lessons learned from Ukraine. “Taking a lot of those lessons from Ukraine, in particular, to ensure that we act upon those lessons and equip the armed forces correctly,” Carns added.
Numbers Speak Louder Than Words
While ministers remain tight-lipped on specifics, the figures paint a clear picture. As of April 2024, the British Army stands at 75,325 soldiers, excluding Gurkhas and volunteers. That’s a noticeable drop from 79,330 in October 2019.
Sir Gavin believes these numbers aren’t just worrying; they’re unsustainable. He warns that the UK’s security landscape is more vulnerable than ever, citing threats like undersea cables and Russia’s advancing underwater capabilities. The solution, in his eyes, is simple: invest in better equipment and, crucially, more personnel.
Strategic Patience or Stalling Tactics?
The government’s reluctance to commit to a bigger Army, at least for now, raises questions. Carns stressed the importance of waiting for the review’s conclusions, saying, “There’s no point going off half-cocked and giving early announcements.”
But with the clock ticking and the world watching, many are wondering: Can Britain afford to wait?
