Military chief insists Brits won't be conscripted into army amid Russia fears

27 February 2024 , 21:10

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Admiral Sir Tony Radakin has given a speech to the Chatham House think tank (Image: PA)

The head of the UK’s military has hit back at critics who claim Britain's military is depleted amid fears of war with Russia.

Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin declared: “We are not at the cusp of war with Russia. We are not about to be invaded. No one in the MoD is talking about conscription for everyday civilians. Britain is safe. We are safe because we are part of NATO, the world’s largest and strongest alliance and also because we are a responsible nuclear power.”

His speech to London-based think tank Chatham House followed the head of the Army General Sir Patrick Sanders declaring Britain’s “military is too small,” last month. Gen Sanders, who is Chief of the General Staff, was referring to the fact that the UK’s Army is now the smallest it has been for many years with just around 75,000 troops. It is believed the popular outgoing General is leaving his post early over disagreements on troop numbers with Royal Navy man Radakin.

Soldiers participate in a military exercise this week (AFP via Getty Images)

In his speech on Tuesday Radakin admitted: “I am not saying Russia is not dangerous. It has demonstrated that with the aggression it employs both domestically and internationally. But at the same time it is also significantly less capable than we anticipated following its disastrous illegal invasion in Ukraine. And it faces an even stronger straitjacket with the introduction of Finland and Sweden into NATO.

“Both these are true and can exist at the same time: a Russia that is more dangerous and less capable. And it is the more dangerous Russia that we and NATO are responding to. NATO has four times as many ships and three times as many submarines as Russia.”

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And he added that NATO would have three times as much air power as Russia in any conflict. He added: These are dangerous and uncertain times. But Britain has what it needs.”

But Radakin admitted Britain is short of ammunition stockpiles and referring to poor recruitment in many areas of the military he said: “We need to appeal to young people from every background or either gender or whatever their sexual orientation because we need to attract the best people. That’s like any large organisation. I know of no big employer that seeks to not be attractive to all these people and then choose the best.”

Chris Hughes