Britain’s political leaders will soon be having a “frank conversation” with the public about the sacrifices that will be needed in the event of war, the head of the army has declared.
General Sir Roly Walker, the chief of the general staff, has said citizens must understand what the army does for them and “consent to sacrifices to prioritise defence and security”.
He told around 700 soldiers during a visit to Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, that the UK could soon need them to fight, as he warned of the dangers facing Britain today.
In a speech, captured on camera by British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS), he said: “You didn’t know this, but our nation is going to need you.
“There was a time that our nation didn’t want to think of a time when it would need its soldiers to fight in a war. But as anyone who is studying the trajectory of world affairs and the geopolitical system within which our nation sits and thrives will realise there is extreme jeopardy in the world at the moment, and the business of soldiering is coming back into the nation’s psyche.”
He added: “Indeed, very soon, the political leaders of this country will start to have a frank conversation with the citizens of this country about just what is going on, and where the risk lies, and what the nation must need to be prepared to do. They need to understand what is going on in the world of defence and security, and why now appears to be a very dangerous time.
“They are going to try and explain to our citizens that our citizens have got to consent to sacrifices to prioritise defence and security.”
Sir Roly’s comments follow ongoing calls to increase defence spending amid growing threats from Russia against the West and warnings about Britain’s unreadiness for war.
Chancellor John Healey is under pressure to find the money to close a £5bn gap in planned defence spending ahead of his first Budget this month.
The former defence secretary resigned from Sir Keir Starmer’s cabinet in June after accusing him of failing to properly fund the defence investment plan at a “dangerous time”.
He has been urged by the Conservatives to increase defence spending to 3 per cent of GDP by 2030.
British troops to take part in major Ukraine-facing wargame next month
British troops are set to take part in a major wargame in Poland, as US President Donald Trump split from allies by refusing to say whether Russia’s President Vladimir Putin started the Ukraine war.
Defence Secretary Wes Streeting announced that UK forces will take part in a “major exercise” while making his first visit to the US in the role.
Mr Trump also denied the US was responsible for the disruption to Kyiv’s access to the vital Starlink satellite communications system, leaving the country exposed to attack.
Speaking in Washington DC, Mr Streeting said: “Ukraine is the front line for freedom everywhere, and it’s absolutely vital that they prevail against Putin’s aggression.
“We’re planning for the peace and freedom we want to see through our leadership of the coalition of the willing.
“Next month thousands of personnel will take part in a major exercise in Poland to ensure we are ready to support the military training and post-war rebuilding that Ukraine will need.”
At least 1,500 troops from Britain, France and Germany will take part in the exercise next month, according to The Times, alongside Polish forces.
The wargame will simulate moving troops and supplies such as food and fuel, and was agreed at a coalition of the willing summit in July.
Read More: Army chief warns Britons about sacrifices to prepare for war
Read More: British troops to take part in major Ukraine-facing wargame next month
