23 July 2024 , 21:06
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A possible Chinese invasion of Taiwan could spiral into a global conflict, or even WW3, that Britain’s army is not fully prepared for - a top UK general has warned
The UK only has three years to bolster its army’s fighting power to handle a WW3-style threat from an “axis of upheaval” including Russia and China, a general has said.
General Sir Roly Walker, the new chief of the general staff, warned time there was "just enough time" to "re-establish" a credible land force to deter hostile nations from going to war with the West. Among the countries he believed posed a threat include Russia, China, North Korea and Iran.
Sir Roly said he did not think it mattered how the war in Ukraine would end as Russia would emerge from the conflict as a "very, very dangerous" entity that seeks out revenge on the UK over "what we have done to help." The ex-special forces chief, who previously survived a stint in Afghanistan, said it was vital to enhance the "lethality" of the UK armed forces so it could tackle a force three times its size.
According to The Times, he said the army - which has some 72,500 troops - might have to take on the threat with old equipment as new vehicles and artillery might not be ready in time. He told the land warfare conference at the Royal United Services Institute: "We have just enough time … to prepare, act, and assure the re-establishment of credible land forces to support a strategy of deterrence."
Although Sir Roly admitted the UK was not hurtling toward the "inexorable path to war," he added the "need is urgent" to bolster the army’s capabilities. The UK needed to "apply all strengths as a free-market democracy against the weaknesses of their rigid, autocratic, command economies," Sir Roly continued.
He believes the UK has until 2027 or 2028 to increase the army’s capabilities and wanted to double the army’s ability to fight. The general warned a potential invasion of the island nation of Taiwan by China could possibly drag the US and Britain into a third world war.
Russia could also sufficiently re-arm with the help of China, Iran and North Korea he warned. Vladimir Putin might also feel "angry and resentful" by then and that the conflict could "detonate" another wave of conflicts, Sir Roly said.
The British army might not be ready to handle a serious threat from Russia and China, a general has warned ( Image: Getty)
“When you think they are down they [Russia] will come roaring back to get their vengeance,” he said during the the conference. Sir Roly further warned that Russia was determined not only to annex Ukrainian territory but also wants to break up the Euro Atlantic security architecture.
Sir Roly’s warning echoes those of General Sir Patrick Sanders, who has been head of the British Army since 2022, who said earlier this year that the West had not been as close to war since 1945. He also warned the UK armed forces were both underfunded and overstretched.
A possible Chinese invasion of Taiwan also posed an enormous threat to global stability, according to Sir Patrick. He acknowledged the UK’s strong cybersecurity but highlighted deficiencies in other areas, such as air defence.