UK Cities ‘90 Minutes from Destruction’ Without Defence Overhaul, Ex-Army Chief Warns

A British city could be destroyed by a cruise missile in just 90 minutes if the UK fails to modernise its defences, a former head of the British Army has warned.

General Sir Richard Barrons, author of the Strategic Defence Review, issued the stark alert during an interview on Sky News’s Politics Hub, citing Russia’s use of precision missile strikes on Ukraine as a chilling example of what could happen to cities like London, Birmingham, Liverpool or Newcastle.

“Those are the same missiles and bombs that could do the same damage to British cities if we don’t take steps to deter that,” Sir Richard said.

He stressed the growing risk posed by adversaries with long-range capabilities, warning that the UK must be prepared to confront threats from state actors capable of launching highly destructive attacks at short notice.

“A cruise missile is only 90 minutes away from the UK,” he added. “We should absolutely be prepared to exist in a world where things like precision missiles can range the UK and do great harm.”

Strategic Defence Review Highlights Escalating Global Risks

The latest Strategic Defence Review identifies Russia as an “immediate and pressing threat”, citing its invasion of Ukraine as proof of its willingness to use force to achieve geopolitical objectives. It also highlights China as a “sophisticated and persistent challenge”, warning that Beijing could possess over 1,000 nuclear warheads by 2030 and continues to pursue cyber and espionage-based tactics against the West.

Iran and North Korea are also listed as disruptive regional powers contributing to global instability.

To meet these challenges, the review urges the Ministry of Defence to adopt cutting-edge military technology, including artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, and directed energy weapons such as lasers.

Defence Secretary: UK Enters ‘New Era of Threat’

Defence Secretary John Healey told the House of Commons that the UK is facing its most complex security environment since the Cold War, citing “growing Russian aggression, new nuclear risks, and daily cyber-attacks.”

“Our adversaries are working more closely together, while technology is changing the way war is fought,” Healey said. “We are in a new era of threat, which demands a new era for UK defence.”

PM Pledges to Make UK ‘War-Ready’ but Stops Short of Budget Increase

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer launched a campaign to make Britain “war-ready” but declined to commit to raising defence spending to 3% of GDP. He said funding decisions must be based on a full understanding of fiscal constraints but promised the armed forces would be equipped to meet emerging threats.

“We are committed to spending what we need to deliver this,” Starmer said, confirming £15 billion in investment for the UK’s nuclear warhead programme and a pledge to build “world-leading drone capabilities.”

He added that the UK military must shift focus to war-fighting readiness as a core objective in response to global instability.

Lord Dannatt: UK Risks ‘1938 Mistake’

Former Chief of the General Staff Lord Dannatt criticised the government’s pace on defence investment, comparing it to Britain’s slow military build-up before the Second World War.

“This vague commitment to reach 3% by 2034 just doesn’t stack up,” Dannatt told Times Radio. “It’s like saying in 1938 to Adolf Hitler: please don’t attack us until 1946 because we’re not going to be ready.”

He warned that without immediate action, the UK risks being outmatched by adversaries willing and able to strike first.

Stay Connected
221,237FansLike
83,600FollowersFollow
115,500SubscribersSubscribe
spot_img
- Trusted Partner -

BEHIND THE SCENES

error: Content is protected !!