Britain 'cannot defend itself against Russia'
UK 'could not cope' if Putin attacked, say military chiefs, who warn that defences have been 'decimated'
As Anglo-Russian relations remain strained over the crisis in Ukraine, senior military officials have warned that Britain would not be able to defend itself in the event of a Russian attack.
The UK "could not cope" with an attack from Putin as the country's defences have been "decimated" due to decades of cutbacks, military chiefs told the Daily Mail.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The warning comes after Russian fighter jets were spotted near the coast of Cornwall. RAF Typhoons were scrambled from their base in Lincolnshire to escort the two Russian Bear bombers further south, the latest in a number of incursions by Russian warplanes, ships and submarines.
David Cameron attempted to downplay the incident, saying: "I don't think we should dignify it with too much of a response". However, he did acknowledge that the Kremlin appeared to be "trying to make some sort of a point".
Falklands War 2? Argentina's fighters 'a serious threat'
He defended the country's defence capabilities, saying the incident demonstrated that the military had the correct systems in place to protect the UK.
Air Commodore Andrew Lambert, who commanded forces in Iraq, disagreed with the Prime Minister. "The Typhoon is a really good aircraft but with their relatively small numbers they would be overwhelmed: the Russians would outflank us, go around us or just go through us."
Former RAF chief Sir Michael Graydon argues that the purpose of these Russian flight missions was to check Britain's air defences and they have "probably worked out we are not as sharp as we were."
"They know it is provocative and they are doing it at a time when defence in the west is pretty wet compared to where they are," he said.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The history of Donald Trump's election conspiracy theories
The Explainer How the 2024 Republican nominee has consistently stoked baseless fears of a stolen election
By David Faris Published
-
Two ancient cities have been discovered along the Silk Road
Under the radar The discovery changed what was known about the old trade route
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
'People shouldn't have to share the road with impaired drivers'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Is Henry Kissinger right about Ukraine?
Speed Read The US statesman made a controversial speech at a virtual Davos appearance last week
By The Week Staff Published
-
Volodymyr Zelenskyy refused evacuation as Russian hitmen ‘parachuted’ into Kyiv
Speed Read Ukrainian president turned down opportunity to leave capital despite threat to life, adviser claims
By The Week Staff Published
-
America’s withdrawal from Afghanistan: a retreat into isolationism?
Speed Read ‘In his selfish unilateralism’, Biden is no better than Trump, said The Daily Telegraph
By The Week Staff Published
-
The ‘heat dome’: blistering temperatures in the Pacific Northwest should act as a wake-up call
Speed Read People are used to hearing of record-high temperatures in desert states such as Nevada or Arizona, but not in verdant Washington and Oregon
By The Week Staff Published
-
Royal Marines ready to ‘disrupt and confuse’ enemies
Speed Read Military chief says operating in area between peace and war could prevent all-out conflict
By Chas Newkey-Burden Last updated
-
US Secret Service screening inauguration troops for riot sympathisers
Speed Read National Guard members under investigation as mob member claims GOP lawmakers aided Capitol siege
By Chas Newkey-Burden Published
-
Plea for public to help find secret Second World War bunkers
Speed Read Hundreds of ‘Scallywag’ underground hideouts lie undiscovered in British countryside
By Joe Evans Published
-
GCHQ unveils annual Christmas card puzzle - can you solve it?
Speed Read Spy agency challenges ‘wise men and women’ to take on bauble brainteaser
By Joe Evans Published