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The UK and its Western allies are lagging worryingly behind in adopting advanced military technology. Grace Cassy, a member of the UK government's defence review team, warns that there is still a long way to go before we are truly ready on the battlefield.
The defense review and its recommendations
The strategic defence review, an independent analysis of the UK’s biggest risks, has highlighted the urgency of investing in advanced capabilities, munitions and long-range weapons. Despite ministers embracing all the recommendations, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has not given a timetable for reaching 3% of GDP in defence spending, a target experts say is essential to fully implement the review.
The context of the war in Ukraine
Cassy, a security startup investor and former adviser to former Prime Minister Tony Blair, said the conflict in Ukraine has had a significant impact on the assessment of new weapons technologies. Both sides are rapidly adapting drones, sensors and jamming systems, and those who don’t adapt risk being left behind. “There’s a battle to maintain an advantage that is often short-lived,” she said, noting that innovation cycles are incredibly fast.
The limits of bureaucracy
Cassy highlighted how slow procurement processes are holding the UK back, along with widespread risk aversion and over-reliance on a few defence suppliers. The defence review has suggested a three-month timeframe for the introduction of the latest technologies, in a bid to keep pace with the pace of modern warfare.
The need for radical change
“If we increased defence spending to 5% tomorrow, but continued with our old habits, we would not be ready for the future,” Cassy warned. It is vital that NATO, not just the UK, changes its practices to use any new funding effectively. NATO’s Secretary General has urged all members to invest more in their defence, warning that Russia could be ready to use force against NATO within five years.
Immediate Threats and Defense Strategies
However, Cassy stressed that “grey zone” threats, such as cyber attacks and risks to critical national infrastructure, are even more pressing. “We are already engaged in a fight below the threshold of conventional warfare on a daily basis, which requires adequate investment in our broader defenses.”
The landscape is complex and ever-changing, and there is no other solution than a diplomatic one. Observations and strategies must be adapted rapidly to meet emerging challenges.