“We established a programme that we called Operation Mobilise to mobilise the British Army to make it ready for war in Europe”.
The British Army’s enhanced focus on war preparedness in Europe was discussed during a session of the Defence Committee where MP Derek Twigg sought to understand the current state of operational readiness.
Responding to Twigg, General Sir Patrick Sanders outlined the purpose behind the rigorous readiness programme, Operation Mobilise. “We established a programme that we called Operation Mobilise to mobilise the British Army to make it ready for war in Europe,” he said, recognising the need to fill significant capability gaps.
The session illuminated the stark challenges faced by the Army, such as reduced stockpiles and aging equipment, and the efforts taken to modernise and improve training regimes. General Sanders provided a stark assessment of the initial conditions:
“We are carrying a number of things that will not be a surprise to this Committee: stockpiles that are reduced, a range of equipment that is coming to the end of its life—it is a very ambitious programme of modernisation that I have a huge amount of confidence in—and levels of training that were inadequate.”
Despite the logistical difficulties in supporting Ukrainian resistance efforts, the British Army has significantly intensified its training operations. General Sanders noted, “In 2020-21, only 10% of the Army’s battle groups did combined arms manoeuvre training. We were coming from a pretty low base, and then that low base was exacerbated by the requirement to give equipment, ammunition and stockpiles to the Ukrainians.”
The commitment to Operation Mobilise has already yielded a substantial increase in training exercises. “We have a 150% increase in the level of combined arms manoeuvre unit training in the Army since we announced Operation Mobilise. By next year, 90% of the Army’s battle groups will have gone through combined arms manoeuvre training,” the General emphasised.
General Sanders also shared details of an upcoming, ambitious training deployment, which is set to be the largest since the cold war era, as part of the efforts to assure the Army’s preparedness.
On stockpile concerns, General Sanders provided assurances of significant improvements within a set timeframe. “I am confident that we will have sufficient stockpiles for fighting, among the brigades that would make up a division, within a year or two.”
He also mentioned advances in equipment readiness, “We have replaced some of the artillery pieces that we gave away—we did that within two months—and we have doubled the amount of logistics lift, in one buy, for the whole of the British Army.“
Baldrick levels of cunning at play here. There is no way the Ruskies will ever catch on with a name like that……
Good to hear that training is being stepped up, although we all know the actual numbers, assets, and capabilities are too thin.
” sufficient stockpiles for fighting….. within a year or two”
It’s worse than I feared. In effect we yet cannot conduct the BCT operations envisaged in Future Soldier.
Not at the moment perhaps, but giving our stockpiles to Ukraine was the best option. Use them for what they were intended, destroying Russian tanks etc, not sitting in storage.
Where is Graham Moore when you need him!
How does getting rid of inventory impact the bottom line within accounts?
You’ve effectively written off inventory, that changes the Balance Sheet with reduced maintenance AND depreciation costs removed as well.
Do the Armed Forces now receive an automatic uplift in cash available for funding?
David, you are too generous in your praise. MoDs inventory listings and accounts will have changed as you suggest with items gifted from MoD stock being deleted from Inventory and with balance sheets showing a commensurate lower fixed assets figure – there will have been a saving on storage, maintenance and depreciation costs for sure. Any expense occasioned by MoD to prepare and ship kit for gifting should have been met by HM Treasury (HMT) who should also have covered the cost of equipment and munitions coming from Industry rather than having been gifted from MoD stocks. Not all equipment… Read more »
I almost would type “Send code settings, over.” I think I understand what you wrote… just. Q1. Latvia paid/is paying millions for CVR(T)s – would they go off books for £0? Not being replaced but they have value, is that what happened? Q2. Where does Joe public see the accounting? Q3. How does MoD show they have recd. £Ms back into their account. Q4. Why was Saunders so caged in his answers at Committee early week; why with cash in the bank should it take so long to get needed stocks back and indeed above the past stock when obsolete… Read more »
Thanks David, my three roles at Abbey Wood did not include all the finer aspects of MoD accountancy but I picked up some of the basics! A1. When MoD disposes of any equipment they go off the Inventory books, irrespective as to whether they are sold for £millions or gifted for £0. A2. Good question. MoD Accountsfor Year Ending 31st March are audited by the NAO, then presented annually to the House of Commons pursuant to section 6(4) of the Government Resources and Accounts Act 2000. They are then ordered by the House of Commons to be printed usually in… Read more »
The opacity of Defence Accounts is the problem although I must thank you for your insight into the matter.
One take away is that UOR taken onto permanent MoD inventory is charged to MoD, thus selling / gifting should mean mean a reduction in Defence costs… we live in hope Graham.
I mean…. TECHNICALLY the CVRT’s are being replaced… first by Warrior and then by Ajax.
Hi Dern, I did not express myself clearly. Specifically those CVR(T)s sold to Latvia and those gifted to Ukraine did not need replacing, as they (almost certainly) would not have been from UE/RP/Trg Org or Attrition Reserve.
Well, I guess our enemies will just have to wait until we are ready …
This is the issue, the timeline is just too long and it is dependent on Putin not expanding his ambitions beyond Ukraine. Many would suggest his options are now gravely reduced but we are talking about Russia and its endless supply of human and natural resources. Putin does not worry about battlefield losses as he can fall back on millions of his countrymen to fill the boots. I’m of the opinion he’s happy to let the war drag on until the West loses its will to commit endless armaments. At this point, he will make his move and the UK… Read more »
A lot of sense in this post. The longer Putin drags this conflict out the strong his hand becomes
Ukraine’s biggest threat is a protracted conflict where Western opinions become clouded by other conflicts. The Modern World prefers quick wars so that the media can pour huge resources into any given crisis but in short bursts. Hanging around long-established wars does not make for good copy as it begins to bore the viewing public. Putin knows this and the above factors could play into his hands if he can play the long game.
Resources is the key to this and the wider theatre. IMO Putin has Europe in a restraint by keeping Ukraine in a stalemate. He knows NATO will not commit troops to and ongoing conflict so it’s in his interests to keep the conflict simmering but not boiling. This also serves other actors well (China and Iran). While NATO pile in resources to Ukraine and Russian bears run down the flying hours of our first responders they all sit, they fuel the fire, they watch and they ready themselves. The one weapon we are missing here that has been deployed in… Read more »
We need to be realistic here Russia does not have endless manpower or resources…it essentially a second world nation..with a population of 144million…its at best got 250,000 soldiers under arms around 200,000 of them are either conscripts or called up with almost no training….NATO has a countries in over 2 million people under arms…the horde and endless resources are deffo with NATO….it’s got a nominal GDP of 1.8trillion…Europeans economic power is closer to 30 trillion nominal….that level of overmatch means Russia is not going to war against NATO on its own ( and I specifically say not on its own).
The European collective is very impressive however, its mindset is different from that of Russia. I can’t name one European country that would contemplate starting a war with a neighbour as Russia did with Ukraine, and that is the huge difference between the two. Russia could if required fight this war for another ten years even if its rate of replenishment is compromised by sanctions. Even then, Russia will expect its citizens to stick with the mandate come what may. Simply, we are dealing with stone-hard intransigence. A smouldering fire is just as dangerous as a full-blown blaze.
Oh I don’t doubt Russia is an issue for European security, I just don’t see Putin willing to go toe to toe with NATO..I think he is a profound risk to None NATO nations…there are a few situations in which I think Russia becomes a wider security risk. 1) A western conflict with china…I think you would potentially see a direct conflict at that point ( as I said I did not think it would go to war with NATO on its own..but as part of an alliance with china, Iran and friends..I could we Putin would think he had… Read more »
Trump during his tenure came around to accepting NATO – I think he enjoyed berating certain European nations for not hitting the 2% of GDP figure and enjoyed US being lead nation, with dominance exercised by himself and his senior officers in NATO command appointments. I think he has moved on from his early (2017) position of considering withdrawing from NATO. NATO is stronger now in the last 5-6 years – spending up, eFP doing well, new members (Monetenegro, North Macedonia, Finland joined – and Sweden probably joining in the next few months with Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia and Ukraine… Read more »
Interestingly I was reading a couple of pieces on what to expect from a trump presidency and NATO was top of the list. Apparently he still very much does not see the value or why the US needs to be part of it…from what I’m hearing the people around him are planning an exit strategy if that is the way he goes…..I suspect he will either leave it or attempt to force a massive redraw of the treaty….in reality trump it’s not going to go to war for a very small Eastern Europe nation he has no understanding of…so I… Read more »
Thanks Jonathan, I find it hard to believe that Trump will be elected in 2024 but it is possible, unless he is in jail. It is odd that he has reverted back to an anti-NATO stance. He doesn’t see the point in it? In NATO’s 75-year history Article 5 has only ever been called once and that was to come to the aid of the US! Some mistakenly think that member countries have to commit military forces to combat if Article 5 is called but that is wrong – “…will assist the Party or Parties so attacked by taking forthwith,… Read more »
Yes Trump is an individual who simply does not really have any grasp of geopolitics, history or international relationships…even his grasp of business practices and performance are quite frankly a bit less mediocre ( it was estimates that if he had simply invested his inherited wealth that he had available in 1978..(100 million) in a standard retirement investment portfolio it would now be worth 6 billion…as it is he’s only worth 2.5billion)…as for him winning the next election, I don’t think it can be called, if the democrats had a high performing individual I would be a bit more optimistic,… Read more »
A future President Trump could not of course require all NATO members to achieve 3% – he does not run NATO. Nether would axing Article 5 be a starter – it is a core element of NATO’s defensive/deterrent doctrine.
NATO members declare forces to NATO and NATO can choose to use them wherever is required if conflict arises. Poland could not state that they only had sufficient forces to defend Poland and had no spare BGs to defend the Baltic states. Thats not how it works.
That’s the problem Graham, what he can and cannot do is not really relevant..his US 25 team are gearing up for a renegotiation of the NATO charters…which can happen, it’s written within the NATO charters themselves that after a decade they could be renegotiated…if he did not get his own way he could Simply pull out of NATO and there is very little anyone could do..effectively from a legal standpoint in the US the legal case of “Goldwater v Carter” ( president) “ set the legal president that there is no legal recourse in regards to a U.S. president unilaterally… Read more »
Trump pulled out of the Paris climate treaty and the NAFTA. He just did what he pleased.
Yes I think generally it’s a keeping everything crossed that trump does not become the next US president…..but you never know what will happen….yesterday if you had said Cameron would become foreign secretary on Monday I bet you could have got 1000/1 odds at the bookies.
Good and realistic take, Europe along (if we ignore nuclear options) overmatch Russia especially after the debilitating losses of the past year +. That said I do fear what happens in a further year as it is very possible an even more mad and vengeful Trump may come to power in the US. The potential irrationality of his decision making could have extreme repercussions especially as he will be unlikely to have any rational advisors at all. He could refuse virtually all support to Ukraine and very easily put to motion withdrawal from Europe and perhaps even NATO itself. Now… Read more »
Indeed, I personally feel that as a nation you can never truly depend on collective defence…yes it’s very important but there are so many roots to a political defeat of NATO ( as in NATO fractures)…. bizarrely I think Russian weakness could actually play into a political defeat of NATO..the reality was that during the Cold War collective defence was a survival requirement of all western powers……even the U.S. was threatened by the global communist movement..the Cuban missile crisis was not a European security risk..there was no single nation in Europe that could face the Soviet Union..and the U.S. Knew… Read more »
I belive if Trump gained his seat again and he did push the idea of leaving NATO it would create an uproar in America. i see this as a power play by the same Elite Family’s who financed both sides of the American Civil war,thus holding Amercia in infinate Debt and creating of the Federal Reserve owned by said family’s. The Greed of the Elite in America is beyond imagination, they use the world as its playground, War is there greatest commodity, and they profit from it without any remorce. For, to them we are but a commodity to be… Read more »
Your figures are way off – Russia is estimated to have around 400k + service personnel in Ukraine alone, from an Army of around 750k,it’s a given that they are of dubious quality but they have been Mobilising quietly in stages.
Hi Paul I’ve looked at the studies and there are some big differences between the Russian armies nominal numbers pans planned nominal numbers vs what’s is on the ground..also remember I’m taking specifically about the Russian army not other branches on the ground. if we look at the likely composition of the Russian army pre invasion ( these are amalgamated from a few papers). 1) around 150,000 professional contracted solider, these are individuals on long term contacts and would be classes as professional soldiers. 2) around 150,000 semi professional contract soldiers on a two year short contract..these individuals are people… Read more »
Thanks Jonathan, sorry late reply, Russian’s Armed Forces are a bit of an enigma I admit, it’s hard to pin down their Army strength per se, all I can say is that RUSI put an estimate of Russian Forces personnel inside Ukraine as of March 2023 at 300k+, whether it is possible to increase that number by 100k in six months I’m not sure. I’ve put a link up that explains some numbers from a Russian perspective ( when it is cleared).
Yes, the Russia armed forces especially the state of the present and future ground forces is very unclear, I suspect not even the Russian government is completely sure. After all they probably have around 150,000 casualties wandering around in their numbers as well as 10,000s of troops who are now in reality psychological casualties who just cannot be processed out, stacked on top of the 300,000 mobilised reservists who I would imagine will be out as soon as they legally can be. I think the other interesting bit is their officer corps, it’s my understanding the casualty rates have been… Read more »
Jonathan, i belive you are on the ball, Russia only has so much human and military resorce, i think if it does not stop at some point China will take a peak at whats going on, and decide wether or not to get involved, although i think China is busy with growth and financial investment and would perhaps not wish to risk the foundations they are building worldwide. If China steps up i think it would get messy real quick, and China investments would sour quickly too…case of wait and see !
Russia has a population of less than 1/4 of the EU, let alone NATO. They might be less casualty averse than us, but ultimately they do not have an endless supply of human reasources.
We needed to move towards a semi-war footing yesterday. I’m up for Dad’s Army if that’s any help. Maybe I could be a drone controller from the comfort of my armchair.
I can provide the pitchfork.
Q1. How long before Ukraine becomes a full EU member,thus part of NATO ? Will Russia back off ?
Q2. As much as Russian is engaged with Ukraine, who is watching China and her sneaky moves?
Q3. How many more govenment cuts to the UK armed services before some old enemy slaps a target on our behind ?
Guess all this practice our military service is getting at the moment will be of great value…’ With the greatest of respect. Thank you for your service everyone’
To reconstitute stockpiles within just a year or two would be a sizeable achievement. Not sure why you are so despondent. Our donations of military equipment and munitions have enabled the Russian armed forces to be severely written down, without any losses of our own manpower.
It’s a good point, I’m not sure how far away Russia is to strategic exhaustion, but it’s got to be on the horizon at some point…unless China decides to throw a huge amount of support Russias way…The problem is on the other side ( Suspect) Ukraine is very very close to strategic exhaustion..it has to be it was a very poor nation to begin with and its infrastructure has been shattered ( where as Russias is essentially untouched)…it goes back to that discussion we have been having around Donald trump..if he gets in and pulls the plug…unless Europe replaces the… Read more »
I think Russia and Ukraine are not so very close to strategic exhaustion. Another question is whether Putin will remain in office for much longer – he may leave office in a number of ways. If the US pulls its Ukraine support, and that would only surely be if Trump returnes to power, I am sure the RoW will continue its support, which may or may not be enough to continue the war for Ukraine, but probably won’t win it for them. Russia will take an age to regenerate after its current war, but I am not sure they would… Read more »
Was his mic on mute? I could hardly hear him.
Takes me back to the early 90s where we had no ammo nor fuel.
Erect tents within the TAC and conduct 2 day exercise.
Which was far better than shouting “nagger, nagger, nagger” on Ex. outside on the Plain.
It’s woeful and can you hear the echo of “Party of Defence” has almost faded. Even the Cons can’t bring themselves to say it.
I smell shite, again😎
Who is that directed at?
From what I understand, this will involve the ARRC, for which the UK is framework nation, various “Corps Troops”, and 3 Division, with 2 Brigades.
A Division should have 3, so there is an evident weakness he is ignoring there in his comment –
“among the brigades that would make up a division”
Also, “and we have doubled the amount of logistics lift, in one buy, for the whole of the British Army.“ I’m confused by this? What have we bought?
Cynically, maybe by reducing the size of the army, we need less logistics lift or we are using the trucks from those units for logistics
“in one buy” to me means different? Yes, I note the cynicism, but there have been very few units disbanded of late, off memory 3 RLC and a RAMC Reg, so hardly a great mass of spare trucks to distribute. And to whom? Transferring that many B Vehicles to remaining RLC Regiments would surely mean an increase in their internal ORBAT, which I’m not aware has happened, so I’m doubtful. Whatever, there may be a good dose of spin and evasiveness in the CGS remarks, as the CSS available to the army’s Brigades remains limited in certain areas, some have… Read more »
Indeed, so what is this one purchase ? everybody seem mystified
Even then, the actual RAMC headcount didn’t go down AFAIK when 2 Med disbanded. I think 1 squadron went to 3, and the other to 5 Med.
Yes, did that bring the others up to establishment?
I don’t think it was used like that, would have to ask people posted there to know for sure, I think it was just that those regiments had three squadrons now instead of 2 (1 Med had gained an extra squadron a few years before somehow)
Thanks, I’ll have to look later whether I had them as 2 or 3.
Correction, apparently both HQ 3 and 1 Div will be involved.
Hi Danielle – am I missing something here, but as we have just reduced our airlift capability by about 40%, how exactly is this proposed force going to get to where its wanted?
The channel tunnel I would guess David! There’s no way we could currently deploy a Division. I mean a ‘proper’ well rounded Division, with armour, mechanised infantry (all currently creaking with age and approaching obsolescence ), artillery and all the supporting elements required to keep it supplied and fighting. To this you need to add RAF air support, helicopter lift and attack helicopters. It would all but break the army to do this at the moment, no amount of head shed PR smoke and mirrors bullshit can cover this up. I think we could just about deploy and sustain a… Read more »
We have weakened ourselves a lot by sending so much heavy kit to UkR. They are buying some used 6X6 Archers and starting to replace the ammunition though.
It would be interesting to see an analysis but much of the heavy kit (probably not munitions though) was surplus to requirements.
The Archers and additional MLRS systems are certainly a welcome addition David.
We have in the past deployed a division by sea using RFA/charter ie STUFT shipping (Op Granby, Op Telic).
Rail is also used to convey massive loads over long distances – the Chunnel has been tested many times for the transit of armour on rail flats.
Road deployment is commonplace too, but we have limited numbers of HETs to move heavy armour.
Morning Graham, one of the serious challenges we would have today is the UK flagged Merchant Navy is so small, we have little to mobilise regarding STUFT today.
Absolutely
You can still charter ships even if they are flying flags of convenience. In fact chartering is often preferable to STUFT, it pisses the owners off a lot less.
Hi John. Wikipedia says that the British merchant fleet whilst smaller than the WW2 years is the 10th largest in the world.
“In 2012 British merchant marine interests consisted of 1,504 ships of 100 GT or over. This included ships either directly UK-owned, parent-owned or managed by a British company. This amounted to: 59,413,000 GT or alternatively 75,265,000 DWT.[15] This is according to the annual maritime shipping statistics provided by the British Government and the Department for Transport.
I have no idea what much of that means but surely we could find half a dozen to a dozen UK-flagged merchant ships for charter if required?
Does make one wonder
Point Class. Train. Road.
Boat and Train. You are never going to lift a heavy formation by air, even the US gave up on the idea of having anything but light formations being airmobile early into the Striker era.
Sealift (which doesn’t have to be military, chartered civilian ships can also move military assets), trains, and road moves.
Good question 🤔
I’m also confused, I don’t spend significant time looking up MOD procurement, but normally major procurement that doubles procurement lift would have had some fanfare about it.
How about stop cutting numbers of military personnel and stop selling slightly old equipment off to hold some sort of depth.
That would be a start , nothing in the warehouse these days. 👀
You say that, yet look what was given to Ukraine in a matter of months.
There is more than many think, otherwise, where did those NLAW for example come from?
The warehouse is not totally bare no matter what people think.
Indeed, if we take NLAW for example, we had 14,000 before the Ukraine war, or that is what we ordered back in 2002 anyway.
We have donated around 7,000 according to reputable sources, which is backed up by the fact we have ordered another 7,000 to replace them.
Still having 7,000 in stock is hardly bare.
Daily Telegraph do a Ukraine podcast and feature a regular contribution from a Ukrainen journo – “it is a long time since my brother on the front line saw any NLAWs or other Western kit.” (paraphrased – she mentioned NLAWS and Javelins(.
So, potentially, 7,000 in stock is a pretty bare cupboard.
Agree DM what was given to Ukraine was brilliant and some will argue with me by me saying it was us Brits who held the Russians up with seading NLAW .But I was referring to the likes of big pieces kit like AFV, Tanks Trucks Artillery platforms, sure we have passed some to Ukraine but don’t think we keep any were near like we use two. 🍺
MoD rail freighting has seen an uptick of late – however, places like 14MU (RAF) at Longtown are Long gone.
Not sure what significant uplift he was talking about unless it was indeed rail.
I fear we are not learning anything from the war in Ukraine. Russia is playing the attrition game very well and in the last month has now gone back on the offensive near Adiivka and Kupiansk, yes they are taking losses but they are absorbing them and just continuing on with no sign of ordinance/equipment exhaustion or any sign of withdrawal. In the south, the Ukrainian counter-offensive has stalled barely 12km from its starting point, I can see the bean counters in the supporting countries are starting to get tired of gifting expensive equipment/training and not seeing much progress on… Read more »
NATO doctrine is all about gaining air superiority and combined arms, not ground offensives in isolation. It is puzzling why the west have been giving the Ukraine army equipment but tying one arm behind their back and not providing sufficient aircraft. It is a recipe for failure.
I say that having spent the first months of the war worried about escalation. That has proven to be void given all Russia does is mouth off. They know full well they are no match for NATO. I say give Ukraine all the F16s they can handle and quickly.
The cynic in me thinks the West are far more interested in keeping the Ukraine war going as a giant combined Russian Army meat grinder and scrap yard. They are turning it into their Vietnam, far more than the Soviet/ Afghanistan invasion ever was. The West can provide equipment and training to ensure Russia simply can’t ever win, but be kept in an endless unwinnable slog. The Russian issues are being increasingly compounded by aircraft reaching their overhaul limits. Sortie rates are sliding and will only get worse. As the Russian Airforce continues to degrade, the Ukrainians will begin to… Read more »
Is the Russian Airforce degrading or is it simply the case it has less reasons to Fly Sorties ?.
I think it’s degraded, as the sortie rate can’t be sustained due to the pressing need for aircraft and engine overhauling.
Short time between overhaul has been a trade mark of Russian military aviation assets since the Soviet era.
These days they don’t have the great depth of asset reserves they used to have in Soviet times to counter the problem.
The remaining aircraft start to really feel the strain in these types of enduring operations.
That may be true to some extent but Russia has more options available to it, it has the luxury of persistent surveillance over most of Ukraine and has the means to Strike at will over those areas too. While everyone’s eyes were focused on the SCALP/Storm Shadow attack at a Shipyard in Crimea a tragedy occurred near the frontline where an awards and Medal presentation ceremony was interrupted by Russia firing an Iskander right into the middle of it with serious loss of life, no conventional Airpower was needed for that.
If it has the ability to strike everywhere why hasn’t the Russian Airforce struck the Su-24s that are launching the Storm Shadows? (Rhetorical question)
Concealment and a slight bending of the rules – for a long time there have been suggestions that Ukrainian Airforce Fighters retreat to Poland out of sight,but when they are given a mission they Fly back to Ukraine to Arm and Fuel,complete their mission then return back to Poland where they can’t be touched.Russia probably has any Operational Airbases covered by surveillance but there is nothing there for them to hit.
Yeah, that’s just Russian cope I’m afraid.
That was awful opsec. And to gather so many experienced seniors in one place, so near the front line and let the location go…
SVU are still in the game and someone has become rich or the blackmail paid off.
Yeah – most likely a tip off ,then Russia arranged assets to confirm.
Degraded.
The ZSU are crossing the Dnipro in force, still making slow progress near Robotyne and Bakhmut, and the Russians are smashing their forheads against Avidivka. There would be plenty of reasons to fly sorties.
N.Korea now sending Ammunition doesn’t help 🇰🇵
I’ve yet so see any proof of North Korean Ammunition being used in Ukraine, I’d be happy to find some 👍.
I think Deny Davydov showed some photos recently of some captured North Korean ammo. It is true North Korea has sent train loads which is now helping Russia go back on the offensive.
Think I seen it on BFBS down load 🍺
https://edition.cnn.com/2023/11/01/asia/north-korea-one-million-shells-russia-ukraine-war/index.html
👍
That’s not true because Ukraine has played the same attrition tactics and IIRC it was PERUN or Task & Purpose who pointed out the significant downfall of Russian artillery fire.
Avdiieka may fall to Russia but like Bakmut, their Brigades will be gutted.
I hope you are right about the brigades being gutted, but the bad news is another 40,000 Russian troops have just assembled north of Adiivka. My point here is that Russia still has plenty of reserves to call on and plenty of ammunition, they don’t seem to care about losses. It is becoming a war of attrition where resupply matters, my concern as stated above is that Russia’s resupplies (Including those from China, Iran, and North Korea) will outpace Ukraine’s resupply from the West. Also, if the West hits economic bad times, or just becomes weary of economically supporting the… Read more »
I just don’t agree, Russian fires have dropped.
They’re wielding inexperienced troops.
Their Armoured units are being annihilated rag tag.
Their Helos are being blown out of the sky. Their fast air knows what’s good for them too.
To quote Col Hal Moore “We’re winning this one.”
The fires might have dropped but they have not ceased, and despite the Russian losses they are still sending new troops and equipment to Adiiivka an Lupiansk where they have made small incremental gains recently. Fending off attacks is not enough, if Ukraine is going to win it needs to advance into the territories occupied by Russia. I acknowledged in my previous posts Russia is taking heavy losses , but that is the point I am trying to make here, they appear to have a resilience to battlefiield attrition. i do not see any sign of them running out of… Read more »
“Readiness for war” what a bad joke.
A TINY Air Corps, few tanks, minimal manpower – WHAT Army?
Very few serviceable ships, many without crews. Carriers without aircraft. No reserves fit to use. WHAT Navy?
Fewer and fewer aircraft, no AEW at all yet, and even then very few. RELIABLE Hercs sold off. What AirForce?
I doubt we could defend this island let alone venture into Europe as well…..
Our Armed Forces are pitiful and the butt of jokes worldwide!
Butt of jokes? Could you provide some or those jokes as evidence? The problems the British armed forces are facing are felt worldwide, we just hear about Britain because we live here. The Americans have practically infinite budget and the French care more about the defence industry than actual defence so don’t care how much they spend
Mr Ford may not have ‘sold his argument’ to you very well. However, I’m afraid our armed forces are… lets just say they are ‘wanting’ to keep things polite and civil.
The big dog (USA) no longer regards the British Army among the top tier fighting forces. Retired British Army General Sir Richard Barrons (among others) has said exactly the same thing.
Game, set, and match to the bean counters, and private contractors.
In my Attenborough accent. A fine example of a “Drive by Shooting” post, where the moan is all, balance doesnt exist, neither does comparison to others, logistical, training, and technical aspects, and sensation is prime.
The fact that he is “technically” correct in that the forces are too small is the back up.
Well, there were several American Generals who made the point about the State of our Island Defence Force; you don’t think they go all “for mash get smash” alien when our Seniors big up ‘our standing in the world.’?
Smell the coffee.
“A TINY Air Corps”……Carriers without aircraft. No reserves fit to use. WHAT Navy?….What AirForce?
I doubt we could defend this island let alone venture into Europe as well…..
Our Armed Forces are pitiful and the butt of jokes worldwide..”
Leaving aside the asinine stupidity of what you posted above, the butt of jokes where and by whom? Russians? ISIS? West Side Boys?Taliban? Or some WhatsApp group of keyboard warriors?
US Generals, they do have a sense of humour, you know.
Well done that is probably the most stupid rant on here EVER😂👍
Oh dear your subject matter knowledge is not only limited but quite amusing in its presentation 🐒
Loving the replies you are attracting 😂
3 posts, all in the same vein, bit of a troll are we?
About time too! Better late than never is their mantra. But too late has dire consequences. If we can claw back the billions given to party chums over the last few years (which the rest of us will be paying back in tax for years to come), and properly tax the vast sums squirreled away on off-shore tax haven hard drives we may make a dent in the defence deficit. It would be nice if at the very least some of that wealth could trickle down through industry as an alternative.
Glad to see that the General got a promotion, always loved his chicken.
Now establish a programme called “Operation Equip”, where you buy the army modern equipment to overmatch the “enemy”.
Sounds good to me but HMG has ever 💰🙄
We are. Its called the £240bn defence equipment plan.
General Carter brought forward the Boxer programme – I am sure they will overmatch the enemy!
Maybe stop slashing the size of the military would be a start.
Spot on your a top man 🇬🇧
To be used in-house I assume?
“The UK has elected to pursue a government-to-government deal with the Netherlands for the procurement of a new Deep Find radar as part of a wider recapitalisation of the British Army’s weapons locating capability under Project Serpens, Janes has learnt.”
https://www.janes.com/defence-news/c4isr-command-tech/latest/uk-looks-to-netherlands-tie-up-for-serpens-deep-find-radar
What a load of old baldricks!! Funniest article l’ve seen on here and there have been some howlers!
Please elaborate Bill. I for one am not laughing!
How have we doubled our lift capability, am I missing something?
what have we bought that has achieved this please (real Question)
Send a post earlier to DM about this ,Lift capability 🤔
I asked this too. Still unsure what I’ve missed.
Has the RLC just bought new DROPS?
Hey Daniele, hope you are well
For me lift means air, and that may be incorrect terminology, but logistics/haulage isn’t really lift in my books.
so what have they bought when all I can see is them getting rid of Hercules.
its a very strange comment imho
Pac, long time no speak mate.
I’m not, actually, my mum is dying and my world is… a mess.
It’s a good point you make, I’d not thought of it that way. I wonder then if CGS is repeating parrot fashion Wallace comment in the Commons defending the Herc cuts, that in buying 22 Atlas we have more lift now than ever before. It’s not quite like that, as assets can not begin two places at once.
Hey Daniele,
I am sorry to hear about your mum.
please take care of yourself
Just seen your post DM hope you don’t mind, very sorry about your mam Kind regards Andrew.D
Mate I reiterate pac and Andrew, hope you are ok and thoughts to you and family mate! Do take care!
Mate. Respect. I admit I’m struggling and have never experienced this before.
Your not alone my friend, I had the same, you will be up and down, crazy thoughts but whatever you think and whatever you do, right now, from now, will mostly be right, correct and for the best. Take care, keep chatting 👍
Daniele, so sorry to hear your sad family news. Take care.
Thank you, Graham.
Daniele, it is an awful time, my mother is old (87) has dementia and is spending more time slumbering now, it won’t be long.
I miss the Mum who when 77 was being chatted up by a Russian truck driver on the overnight ferry from Rīga to Stockholm and at 2a.m. was still dancing; it’s a memory I will cherish, along with so many more; we have to let go Daniele. Hugs.
I miss the mum who at 79 walked into hospital after I delivered her there, and has gone from the strong willed, independent, determined mother I adore who I’d speak to or text daily to a wreck within 2 weeks. She is gone, but not gone. I actually pray for death for my mum as she would not want to be like this, I cannot help, the doctors refuse chemo, and I cannot stand seeing her like this. I feel like I’d happily join her in spirit when that happens, as life seems to have no meaning to me any… Read more »
david24737135 AT outlook.con
Terrible illness, my mother has it as well. My thoughts are with you
*Hugs* Hope you’re hanging in there. Really sorry to hear that. 🙁
Barely mate!
Believe me DM you will get through this it’s all just time .
So sorry to hear about your mum. My ‘mammy’ is 84, and slowing down a little more each day. Be strong, be safe and remember the happy times.
Lift means air, sea, rail or HET (road) means to carry heavy kit.
Saw info about EPLS Mk3:
https://www.army.mod.uk/news-and-events/news/2021/04/epls-fleet-upgrade/
https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/uk-to-soon-receive-final-enhanced-pallet-loading-system-trucks
But this is old news dating from the 2018-2021 period.
The way they spin stuff, maybe this is what he meant?
We know about Atlas, we know it cannot be the Points, we know it cannot be our minimal number of HETs.
Not sure how many HETs we have now. 92 M1070F Oshkosh tractors were puchased in 2004. Some were sold at auction. Think we have 70-90?
I’ve no idea either.
Daniele, have you ever seen this (Table 5 of the Excel spreadsheet)?
https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/uk-armed-forces-equipment-and-formations-2022
The HET number looks very wrong at 182! Perhaps they added together the number of tractors and trailer units? But the other numbers look about right.
No, I’d not seen that. Was it 17 or 19 TT Sqn that remains?
And am I imagining or was there planned to be a civvy fleet too? Sponsored reserves?
[617 TT Sqn disbanded in 1991 and pers transferred to form:
3 TT Sn which lost its TT role in 1993.
16 TT Sqn disbanded in 2014].
Today – only one TTSqn left – 19 TT Sqn (part of 27 Regt RLC) at Bulford. Is a mix of reg drivers and VMs – and civvy drivers and VMs (from FTX Logistics aka FasTrax) who don uniform and become Sponsored Reserves for exercises/operations.
Army website:https://www.army.mod.uk/news-and-events/news/2023/03/life-as-a-driver-tank-transporter-operator/
KBR/FTX Website says they still have 92 HETs (quite a fair number):
https://www.ftxlog.com/careers/vehicles/
Thanks. Agree, it cannot go below that.
19 TT Sqn, Bulford remains – a mix of regs and civvys (who don uniform to be Sponsored Reserves for exercises and operations). 92 HETs.
Kind of an admission army not fit for purpose
Not ready for warfighting at divisional level without significant risk, but it can do sub-divisional stuff.
👍
Better they admit it and start rectifying the myriad issues than stick their heads in the sand as they have for the last decade or so
This is true, at least the General has admitted some glaring deficiencies instead of the often political speeches from the people at the top .Now issues defined they can now be remedied.
AW149 Puma replacement now!
“We were coming from a pretty low base”
We won’t be ready for a war for some considerable time. Insane cuts have reduced the army drastically. Have we yet cancelled the latest cuts to army numbers? All the spin in the world can’t remedy the tiny size & eqioment obselecence of many systms 30+ years of “peace dividend” cuts & complacency has caused.
If we are at last seriously preparing, then that is very welcome. We’ve been digging a deep, dark, dangerous hole for ourselves way too long.
Very true honest post 🍺
👌
What we can hope is the numbers cut will free up some funds for the folks that are left.
Germany is planung for exercise Quadriga 2024 where 30.000 soldiers will move to Lithuania. Second big maneuver after Air Defender 2023.
All in all UK and Germany suffered from similiar issues but are kicking in full gear now. Sounds cynical but Ukraine bought us time.
Bernie Sanders oops soz…General Sir Patrick Nicholas Yardley Monrad Sanders, KCB, CBE, DSO, ADC… This feeble useless bought and paid for yes man, is an arrogant pratt, and an absolute disgrace of an individual!
Personally I wouldn’t put him in charge of the Army Cadets!
Why do you say this? Feeble and useless – your evidence?
He has a very good reputation. He speaks plainly and strongly – some suggest he is being short-toured from his post as CGS precisely because he has spoken out and upset the politicos. Have you read his speeches to RUSI and others?
He is the complete opposite of a Yes man.
He publicly declares that the army is too small, equipped with ageing kit and needs to up its game on collective training – and is doing something about it.
In order to keep my reply civil, just stop ok. You really have absolutely no idea, as to what you are commenting on! My ‘evidence’? from the mouths of serving soldiers! Not one or two, nor 10 or whatever. Here’s a lovely little snippet for you ‘factboy’… Did you know, the latest wheeze… stripping every Battalion in the British Army, of it’s MT sections, making Soldiers redundant on the sly, and giving the nod to yet another private contractor, to drive British Army Battalions kit from one place to another! Oh sorry, didn’t the MOD inform you directly about that?… Read more »
Wow Tom rather a belligerent and unnecessary reply to Graham! If we are honest since 2010 onwards the only Battalions up to strength were the Parachute Battalions, and even then about 50-60 were penguins and awaiting a jumps course as consequence of the new way of doing your jumps. Not sure calling a knowledgeable and regular poster an idiot due to his opinion is reasonable. And tbh some of your post is pretty much verbal, and we all know squaddies whinge and moan in regard to just about everything. Mate I’m still in Colly and my next door neighbour is… Read more »
You said, your ‘old battalion’ by that I presume you mean the Para’s. The Para’s are, and always have been the ‘spear point’ of the British Army. They Need to be at full strength, or as near as can be. So based on your next door neighbours observations, there is no issue with retention, and recruitment? Wow! And you want facts? You want me to compromise serving Soldiers, by giving you their names and Regiments, purely in order to placate your poor friend who got most of what he said wrong? Actually one of my good neighbours, is a Colonel… Read more »
Did I ask for facts? Where did I ask for facts? Come on Tom stop getting so angry at people who are most probably on the same song sheet as you, and try to speak to people in a respectful and constructive manner! Oh as for teaching the royals to fly, there’s no pride in claiming your Brit was the one who taught that dipstick Hardy to pretend to be an Apache gunner and the secondary capability of flying! As for MBEs mate, that chuff isn’t any qualification to substantiate a gripe, mines in the drawer, cheers mate be safe!
And where did I ask for names and regiments? I’m intrigued mate, please cut and paste the part where I ask for names and Bns! Oh and there’s only on SFSG mate, not Battalions, cheers.
Thanks AB for your defence. I am not sure what I have got wrong, as Tom does not say specifically. I accept I do not have conversations with disgruntled serving or recently-left service personnel, as he says that he has. In looking at ARRSE, I see little to no criticism of Sanders to justify a view that he is ‘a ‘feeble, useless bought and paid for yes man, is an arrogant pratt, and an absolute disgrace of an individual’. Most regret that he is leaving the job of CGS after just 2 years. I can find nothing published Open Source… Read more »
Agreed and cheers mate!
Tom I asked you before, but you failed to reply, can you please provide a source for that MT removal claim?
Which Battalion?
Or is the reason you can’t provide a source because you made it up?
“Tom I asked you before, but you failed to reply, can you please provide a source for that MT removal claim? Which Battalion?“ Or is the reason you can’t provide a source because you made it up?” Its amazing how certain individuals in here ‘rush’ to the defence of fellow commentators, when someone from outside of the ‘click’ ‘pulls up’ or challenges something they… typed. Did I make up the fact that every Infantry Battalion in the British army, is losing its MT section. Answer NO. By all means ask any of your ‘sources’ to verify this. Ask any Officer… Read more »
Tom, unlike you I’m currently serving, in an infantry battalion, in the British Army. I have heard nothing about us loosing our MT section, which is why I asked you for a specific source. You didn’t answer me when I asked weeks ago. I asked you again, not to “jump to the defence of another commentator.” But because I don’t like people peddling falsehoods they can’t back up. And, having been challenged, you have been unable to show me a source again, so no, I’m not going to apologise for calling you out on your bullshit and I will do… Read more »
Dern, You’re in the 4th Kings Own bottlewashers and dishcleaners Rigiment as their NERPs, life is sweet for you and AR can just pitch tents in a TAC, please be fair, Dern.
Queens Own actually 😛
Oh right, so you are currently serving in an Infantry regiment, in the MT section. Wow well done, and good for you! Respect.
Not in the MT section, but battalions are small enough that I’d know if we where loosing ours.
Your nasty little sarcasm just highlights the fact that my job is directly relevant to disproving your little made up fact.
Then again, you’ve been a nasty piece of work to everyone who has had the misfortune of interacting with you so I’m just going to assume you’re hating your little desk job and taking it out on strangers.
Light the blue touch paper and retire… Sarcasm??? I was genuinely congratulating you on your service that’s all, the same respect I have for all who have served, present and past. “Your nasty little sarcasm just highlights the fact that my job is directly relevant to disproving your little made up fact”. Wow…Dear oh dear oh dear. You really do have an overinflated opinion of yourself! Your job is relevant to what? In your arrogant rant, you clearly stated that you do not know about MT losses, in Infantry Battalions. So clearly, you are not privy to which Infantry Battalions… Read more »
Hey Tom, I’m not the one who’s managed to start having a go at three seperate commentators on this site at the same time Tom. You came into this with some extremely negative energy, and are now surprised when people give it back. You claimed that ALL infantry battalions are loosing their MT sections: stripping every Battalion in the British Army, of it’s MT sections, I notice it’s now changed to only some, but since every battalion (including presumably mine) is apparently loosing it’s MT department, me working in a Infantry Battalion and talking to the MT on the daily,… Read more »
Tom Tom Tom, Dern has questioned your sources and you have none. Dern has verified with his own Battalion about losing the MT sickies, and they aren’t. He has spoke to a commissioned officer in one of the Battalion’s you claim to be losing its MT, it isn’t. All you are doing is getting yourself a bit worked up and not putting any realistic or viable comment into the mix. And of course no one is denying your freedom to post on here, but Dern is certainly not bullying you, he is asking you for information with proof of your… Read more »
Tom please name the Battalions losing the MT section to end this debate? “Ask any officer of any rank in any Infantry Battalion” mate I have, the man I’ve asked is currently the QM, a good long serving mate of mine who stayed on for that tasty LE pension, and he has no clue about it? Do elaborate and please try to keep it civil, cheers.
All the Guards Regiments to start with. Then The Royal Anglia’s. Happy Now???
Just asked a friend of mine whose an officer in the Scots Guards, he says that’s not happening (in fact he laughed at the idea).
Edit: Giving MASSIVE benefit of the doubt here, but could you be thinking of the Irish Guards and 1 Royal Anglians rerolling to SFA? They’re still not loosing their MT departments, but they are loosing a lot of manpower for the restructure?
Then I would say that your friend? is a Liar!
Honestly, at this point I don’t really care what “you would say” since it’s pretty clear you don’t have a leg to stand on.
Actually from the off… I haven’t the remotest interest in anything that you say.
Come the 31/12/2023, if you were anywhere near a decent individual, you would offer profound apologies and leave it at that.
I believe I know what will happen even when you will be proved wrong, buts lets just wait and see.
“Yeah well I didn’t care anyway” run out of ad hominems I guess.
Hey, if you have evidence on the 31’st please come show me, that’s all I’m asking for, is for you to provide a source that backs up your saying. I won’t apologise, because all I asked for was a source, and you’ve been unable to provide one so far.
Provide a source and this could be an interesting discussion, but for now, it’s just an angry man making claims he can’t back up.
See, I knew it! 😂 😅
Knew what? That I’d be happy if you actually could show evidence after I asked for evidence, you must be psychic 🙄
Go away bully boy… which coincidentally I couldn’t help but notice you doing to others on this convoluted tome.
I am actually starting to wonder if there isn’t an element of walter about you. Forces personnel, whether current or serving, NEVER get this irate, and obnoxious as you seem to do. Hmmm
So still stuck on the childish insults. Grow up, find a source.
So my insults are childish, and yours are… oh behave 😂
So still no source then to back up your claims?
So you say you speak to lots of serving soldiers and that’s your justification, but when Dern and I do the same, you call them liars etc! Are you ok Tom, you seem to be struggling somewhat.
Me struggling? Nooo not at all. 🙂
Er yes you are as you are continuing to resort to angry comments and one liners when asked to provide a source.
Don’t worry, he’ll just start a little thread on his own so he can call everyone who knows more than him a Walt lol.
I see he has thrown the Walt comment in, why would he use that? The only reason it is ever used during a “debate” is when one is under increasing pressure and struggles with the subject matter and wants to deflect the ongoing conversation! It’s sad really, quite sad.
I’d say part deflection, part projection of his own insecurities, part just trolling and trying to get a reaction IMO. This has long stopped being a productive conversation, it’s just become insults and goalpost shifting really. As you said, it’s quite sad. Fortunately there are plenty of people you can have a decent conversation with on here.
Would make sense?
It’s one of the reasons I asked for a source, I suspect it’s Chinese whispers or a misreading, but Tom’s unwilling to engage on that point.
Surely the SFA Bde reductions for those Bns. Assume Rangers would still need MT Sec.
I presume you mean the Royal Anglians (or do you mean the Ford Anglias?) and which Battalion, Viking’s, Poachers or Steelbacks? And all the Guards Regiments, really? Your misinformation here is quite galling and sad to see.
Oh you find my misinformation quite galling do you? How grossly unfortunate. Fortunately for me however, I find your ‘leaping to the defence’ of a grown individual, very sad to be honest. But hey ho.
Misinformation huh purely because you no credible source available to ask. 31/12/2023 then we’ll see. 🙂
Nothing to do with defending another poster, more to do with your quite angry and stressed out posts which verge on the rude and pointless. And it’s rather amusing how you never actually provide any info or sources to your claims, sources being important when making unsubstantiated claims and being rude to others who challenge your statements. But “hey ho” keep repeating in a child like way your “facts”! Anyway, I see you have no clue about the Infantry anyway, as my question in regard to the Anglians for example, was ignored.
So I have no knowledge of Infantry Battalions, on your say so? Oh ok then. 😂
You seem to have little knowledge of Infantry units yes, and you continue to resort to child like one liners, with no real information or sources to back up your claim.
Tom, this doesn’t read like a civil reply to me. Careful, or George might shut you down.
Yawn…
They missed a trick by not having him as Colonel sanders.
As Graham worked with Gen Sanders at one point, expect incoming!
Why hold back, tell us what you really feel ? 😆
You need to acquaint yourself with Bernie Sanders view on the Hamas/Israel situation.
Bernie Sanders Rejects Progressives’ Call for Cease-Fire in Israel Conflict: ‘Hamas Has Got to Go’ (msn.com)
150% increase in tempo from 10% means 15% has been tested. Firing blanks and shouting ” you’re dead”. The army would, in combat, suffice for around 3 days. thank God for Poland protecting Old Blighty.
Nope, wrong! First Post and it’s it’s 3 liner chuff comment, oh dear sad trolls are easier to see than a Russian conscript having a fag at 03:00hrs in the morning while on stag.
Lots of accounts these days with 2-10 posts all of which with this kind of chuff.
Agreed, just sad muppets 👍
Just another drive by Shooting post that offers nothing new to the discussion beyond moaning or deliberate belittling.
The current status of our armed forces is catastrophic, manpower reduced to the bone, our Army smaller than at anytime since the Napoleonic period. Our airforce unable to fulfil its role on the two aircraft carriers, total number of aircraft 40 per carrier, actual available 6 in total. Our Navy cut to the bone, decommissioned ships rusting and rotting in port, more ships on the list to be sold off or broken up. New Frigates years away from completion. Successive Governments have cut and cut reducing the Uk to be an unreliable Allie for NATO and a partner for the… Read more »
Good Day!
Once again I do have to ask ( Better late than never). Why are the Government not waking up and not dramatically increasing our Defence budget in the face of Russian aggression? Do I see another story repeating itself as with Chamberlin?
I hope not! It does make you wonder though the seemingly lack of urgency and action.
Nick
As much as the General would like, he is ultimately not the Boss who decides how much and on what where when . Rishi and Hunt have shown zero inclination to pull their finger out fast in the defence of national interest.
Have you seen have bad they are in Ukraine? And yet people think they have the capability to strike the UK. Nuclear. Yes, anything else. Not a chance.
The cuts have gone way too far . The army needs rebuilding and supplies of ammunition, artillery shells , tanks and just about everything else need urgent replenishment and numbers building . Not in a couple of years but now . The government have their collective heads in the sand about just how dangerous the world is at the moment
Sadly don’t think were in any position to do anything about it .😕 The government need to have a Big change of heart 🇬🇧
Daniele is the Orbat man but in trying to count the number of Inf and armd regts that could form BGs, I make it 5 or 6 AI/Mech Inf bns and 3 armed regts – in 3xx. I suppose theoretically the Lt mech battalions in 1xx could form BGs by attaching engrs, arty etc (but not tanks obviously) but others could advise if this is something that is considered and thus would set a requirement for BG trg – I will park that thought and assume that we have 8 or 9 units that could form BGs, so 10% means… Read more »
Bit of a shit statistic to be honest, because 2020-21 was the year of the Pandemic and the lock downs, and nobody was training then, so, I’m not really surprised that only 10% of the battle-groups (and depending on how he’s counting that could be anywhere between 1 and 3 battle-groups) deployed and practised BG scale combined arms manuever.
Also his wording rubs me really badly because “did combined arms manuever training” means for example, that a Battlegroup that deploys to Belize and does a Jungle Exercise won’t be counted in that number.
AH the usual UK response to the international situation – suddenly having to compensate for 10yrs+ of declining defence spending and force reductions and defence interest from our Lords and Masters in government. We never learn.
Spot on 👍
The UK’s military is somewhat of a has been at the moment in my opinion, we just don’t have the resources we used to!! Apart from spending a fortune on two massive carriers (which seem to be having some teething problems), the Navy is otherwise under equipped, the Royal Air Force barely exists and the Army is woefully undermanned!!, we as a nation are utterly unprepared for any major conflict!!, in some ways this is a good thing as I personally would love to see war and conflict become a thing of the past, but for as long as the… Read more »
Had an Apache fly over me up at Old Sarum yesterday, was awesome and gave them a wave! Top pilots!
Better get the tories out if government then! They’ve got no ability to lead and no willingness to preserve British lives in face of the turmoil of war. We need a better government or we’re truly fucked.
Unfortunately a new government wont be able to make much impact on the armed forces budget, as so much has been destroyed by the tories like the NHS.
Are they filling their pockets and destroying everything in their way out of psychosis, or are they acting for a bigger plan? They’ve definitely made the nation vulnerable to attacks from foreign countries and/or terrorists. The NHS is so wrecked a CBRN attack would totally overwhelm them.
We have made ( unnecessary) an enemy of Russia, the West, I,E America has constantly provoked them by constantly building forces right up to its borders, imagine if China had a military alliance building up on US borders in Mexico, Canada, would the US tolerate that? Obviously not, as the dismal performance of the Russian military in Ukraine pretty much proves the Russians are a threat to no-one, the same cannot be said for china.
Nobody built any forces up on Russia’s borders until ATER Russia invaded Ukraine.
Latvia, Poland etc all NATO members, all on Russia’s borders, all joined before Russia invaded Ukraine.
None of which hosted any foreign forces or bases until after Russia invaded Ukraine. Accepting the Baltic States into NATO (a voluntary act of sovereign nations btw, so now you’re suggesting that soverign states shouldn’t be allowed to join alliances if it hurts their historically aggressive neighbours feelings) is not the same thing as “building forces right up to it’s borders.”
NATO was set up as a defensive alliance against the Soviet Union, which collapsed decades ago, why invite countries on Russia’s borders to join when there is no threat?
Another mischaracterization.
Countries aren’t “invited” to join NATO. They apply and their application is either accepted, or denied.
It might be more helpful to ask “Why would several states formerly invaded and occupied by the Russians suddenly want to apply to join a mutual defence treaty in the early 2000’s”
I mean it’s not like Russia had just fought two brutal wars in order to annex a former Soviet Republic that had become independent just before was it?
Strangely enough, all accepted, so I ask again would the US tolerate a Russian/ Chinese military alliance on its borders? Why is NATO who’s existence was to counter a threat ( Soviet Union) which no longer exists is parked on Russia’s border?
It has in the past, and why wouldn’t they accept a friendly nation asking to join NATO.
The real reason of NATO’s expansion eastwards can be found if you Google an American neo conservative politician by the name of Paul Wolfowitz, he was also responsible for the Iraq war debacle, after the fall of the Berlin wall, Russia ceded countless 1000s of square miles of territory, much of Russia’s navy was turned into fridges and washing machines, I state again that Russia posed zero threat to the west or former Soviet countries.
They didn’t mate. Until Putin arrived trying to recreate the Soviet Union.
They did, and Putin has no interest in trying to recreate the Soviet Union, which by the Russian ruling elites own admission was a vast corrupt rusting failure, Putin is guilty of not allowing his country to fall under the same left wing / woke ideology ofpro mass migration, white privilege, LBQT, Trans gender claptrap etc etc.
Okay, little Putinist troll, aside from the fact that he’s been trying to litterally recreate the Soviet Union by, one after the other, invading former Soviet colonies, care to explain exactly what is wrong with allowing Gay people to date and marry who they want?
‘ putinist troll’ you call me, oh dear! And there is no fact whatsoever Putin is trying to recreate the Soviet Union, which by Putin’s own account and many other ruling Russians was nothing more than a great big Communist failure, try again mate, If like myself you consider yourself a patriot then unfortunately you must have to admit we/ the west are not always the good guys, you do know that Ukraine comes BELOW Uganda in the UN lists of corrupt countries? Did you do any research into Paul Wolfowitz like I suggested you should, I guess not!
You literally are reguritating Putinist propaganda, so yeah, you are a Putinst troll. Plenty of research into Paul Wolfowitz, but if you want to make an argument, actually make it instead of expecting me to imagine your argument for you (again, pretty standard tactic for putinist trolls “I don’t want to try to structure an argument but if you google this you can maybe come up with one for me.”) BTW on the CPI (The UN’s list of corrupt countries) Uganda (142) is significantly lower than Ukraine (116), but you know who also is lower? Russia (137). You are right… Read more »
More drivel from someone who can’t handle the thought we in the west/UK might actually be wrong about Russia, as for your arrogant long range assumption that I’m some kind of pro Putin troll just proves how little you know, I spend plenty of my free time counter trolling genuine russian trolls, and as for accusing me of ‘ gay bashing ‘ name one thing in my comments which says so??
Maybe don’t act like you haven’t done something when I can scroll up and find it?
So yet again more half baked drivel, look it’s obvious we aren’t going to see eye to eye or anything close on this issue, I stand by everything I’ve said and I’m sure you do as well, let’s leave it at that.
Funny, I managed to answer and refute each point you raise, and asked you one concrete question: To justify a very bigoted choice of phrase.
Yet all you can do is answer with a very dismissive avoidance of a direct question. Almost like you’re running away when cornered.
BTW thanks for admitting you’re a gay bashing bigot and that you stand by it. Good to know you’re an utter scumbag.
PMSL, for a start you never answered my question about would the US tolerate a hostile military alliance on its borders? The reason you refused to answer that simple question is because it would blow your other pathetic arguments apart, but anyway, have you ever had yourself checked for something out for NPD, Narcissist personality Disorder? If you haven’t I strongly suggest you should, goodbye.
I did, by pointing out it has in the past, sorry you didn’t bother to read. Care to answer my question now?
Also again, if you want to make an argument make it, don’t expect me to google it and make it for you (even if it is a very thinly veiled ad hominem that you’re resorting to after being unable to come up with any answers before running away).
So please: Why shouldn’t gay and lesbian people have the right to marry? Fairly simple question Deebee.
Zzzzz Zzzzz
Why shouldn’t gay people have human rights?
We in the west have been wrong on many occasions in regard to geo political choices, but we are not wrong in regardto Putins Russia. Is Ukraine Ukraine model country, fuck me no way, corruption is everywhere, but doesn’t mean they should be left to rot and die? In reality the Russians are a threat but at the moment they are dying in droves, killed by Western kit, mannedby Ukrainians, and that alone suits every right minded country in the world, at this time.
I think if you bothered to speak to Estonians in the aftermath of the SECOND TIME Russia invaded Chechnia they’d feel differently. Russia might not have been a threat to the US in the 90’s but it CERTAINLY was to the Baltic countries. There’s this really funny pattern: Every time Russia invades a former Soviet Colony, be it Chechnia, Georgia, or Ukraine and Annexes lands, and suddenly other former Soviet Colonies become VERY interested in joing NATO (your own personal putinist conspiracy theories not withstanding, and yes I’m not going to take a lesson on the “real” reason for NATO… Read more »
That and the fact that Finland hasn’t gone from being a fairly peaceful nation to being swivel eyed loons intent on invading Russia since joining NATO.
Russia hasn’t had to divert hundreds of tanks and squadrons of aircraft to the Finnish border as Finland could invade any day now.
NATO is not a hostile alliance.
We can’t be woke liberals and crazy warmongers at the same time.
Mores the pity, wouldn’t mind if a few hundred Russian Tanks got stuck on Finlands border unable to be committed to any genocidal invasions Russia was fighting 🙂
I have to jump in here, countries apply to join NATO, thry don’t get “press ganged” and why should they not be allowed to join if they meet the criteria? To say there is no threat is a very civvy way of thinking, threats always exist, they just change, adapt and move with the times (or with the current fascist in charge at that time)!
No threat from Russia to eastern European nations? Are you serious? Russia (and before it the USSR) has a clear track record of invading non-NATO neighbours and near-neighbours.
As Dern said no country is invited to join NATO – they apply.
Yes “Strengthening”. Let’s check the old Oxford English dictionary on that one…..
Reduced infantry
Reduced Armour
No artillery – all given to Zelensky
Reduced attack choppers
Massive increase in BS statements from those who should know better.
Wrong to say we have ‘no artillery – all given to Zelensky’.
We gifted 32 AS90s, out of the 179 AS90s we originally purchased, to Zelensky. We have bought 14 Archers in part-replacement.
Yes, good spot Graham but more than 140 of those AS90’s are with Zelensky or in a warehouse somewhere. In the context of the article which is bunkum, the UK continues to blunt the teeth of the army and undermine the strength and sap the morale of the people in it.
14 Archers for 32 AS90’s. Maybe 4 A400’s for 14 superb Hercules. Down to 11 frigates and counting. 3 Wedgetails….138 F35’s? Do the math as our American friends would say.
Bill. 32 x AS90s to Zelensky – so, how do you get 140? The reason we just got 14 Archers is that is all the Swedes had going spare at the time. I hope we get some more soon, so that we can equip a full artillery regiment. There is good news on our MLRS acquisitions. I don’t disagree that our equipment and manpower numbers have continued to reduce, across all three services. Its not just down to the post-Cold War peace dividend. For politicians and bean-counters in the Treasury, the Forces have always been an easy choice for cuts… Read more »
We don’t want war thanks
‘Si vis pacem, para bellum’.
This is a Latin adage translated as “If you want peace, prepare for war”.
You’ve always done well to reposition yourselves when its most need use wisdom and understanding every step of the way God bless your hearts
While I am concerned about the reduction in Army strength from around 80,000 to around 77,000 I am equally worried about whether or not the Army can retain the 77,000.
We are in the same position we were in in 1937.
Britain needs to wake up and commit more spending and resources toi UK defence.
This is now an Urgent Operational Requirement
It is lower. It was around 77,76,000 and reducing to 73,000. It was established for 82,000 I think.
Correct. Not sure by what date the army are forced to get down to 73,000.
I don’t think there is a specific date, instead it’s going to be done by natural outflow. I.e. let more people sign off than sign on until the desired headcount is reached.
Thanks Dern. So no truth in Tom’s rumour of ‘sly redundancies!’?
None that I’m aware off, I wish he’d cite something more than “trust me bro,” because it feels like one of those things where Chinese whispers or even malicious misreading turns one story into something completely different, but for now I just have to go with “It’s just a dirty rumour.”
Hi erm just saying, as far as I am aware, the British Army is already at 73,000 or probably less.
With the greatest of respects on this day of remmemberance, Sunday 12/11/2023 🇬🇧, thank you to all who served,and the mothers who brought them into this world.
I would also like to thank all men and women of the armed services(currently serving)for there service to there King and Country.
I find it hilarious that germany back in 39′ was the first to use a form of moder combined arms tactics in the form of an aggressive blitzkrieg, and britain is now just learning to train the majority of its forces to do similar tactics that was introduced 84 years ago in a bygone era, british military especially its navy has been lagging behind since the cold war tbh.
Daniel, perhaps stifle that hilarity. Britain led the world in Combined Arms manouevre, and were certainly far ahead of Germany. JFC Fuller, who had planned the Nov 1917 tank attack at Cambrai and planned tank operations in the autumn 1918 offensives, first attached fighter-bombers to the Tank Corps in 1918. His ‘Plan 1919’ was for fully mechanised offensives against the German Army but the war ended before this could be enacted, in Nov 1918. After the war, Fuller commanded an experimental brigade in Aldershot. After retirement he continues to advocate for mechanisation but arguably he was not the best advocate… Read more »
This smacks of the 1920/30’s when the British Army was run down and underarmed. I have found that since I was serving in the 1960’s we have gone backwards, I read an article by a Russian reporter who said that the BAOR was that disorganised that they must have something up their sleeve so make of it what you think . We should have the best equipment not some second hand out of date equipment
Second hand equipment? You mean the 14 Archers? They are certainly not out of date.
what’s that name… ah got it. Walter Mitty. I wonder how many of them come to this site?
Tom, who are you referring to?
Britain doesn’t have enough troops to protect its’ own citizens, so this is a bit of a joke isn’t it?
Army statements read. More like a Blackadder script everyday