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Can Britain Fight a Long War? Experts Warn UK’s Military Isn’t Ready for Prolonged Conflict
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![Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko]( "Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko")
Analysts have highlighted that the United Kingdom is not prepared for a prolonged conflict, and European manufacturing capabilities will require years to reach the level of mass weapons production seen in Russia.
As reported by BBC on December 10, Hamish Mundell, an expert from the Royal United Services Institute, expressed concern over the UK's ability to sustain military operations beyond a few weeks in the event of a major escalation in Europe.
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“There remains little evidence that the UK has a plan to fight a war lasting more than a few weeks,” Mundell stated. “Medical capacity is limited. Reserve regeneration pipelines are slow… The British plan for mass casualty outcomes appears to be based on not taking casualties.”
According to BBC, experts also noted that the UK's reliance on undersea cables and pipelines, which are crucial for transmitting data, energy, and financial transactions, leaves it susceptible to potential sabotage. Covert operations by Russian spy vessels, like the “Yantar,” are believed to be targeting these cables. In response, the Royal Navy has invested in underwater drones with integrated sensors to monitor and protect these vital connections.
Meanwhile, Western Europe faces its own set of challenges. Despite the growing threat posed by Russia’s ongoing weapons production, European factories are years away from reaching Russia's scale, as reported by BBC.
“The land war in Ukraine has shown beyond doubt that mass is absolutely vital for anybody that is going to face Russia on land,” sayid Keir Giles, a Russia expert at Chatham House think tank said to BBC.
A recent report from the Kiel Institute for the World Economy reveals that Russia is manufacturing approximately 150 tanks, 550 infantry fighting vehicles, 120 Lancet drones, and over 50 artillery pieces every month.
“The UK, and most of its Western allies, are simply not anywhere near this point,” BBC noted.
Earlier, it was reported that the UK and Norway are preparing to sign a landmark defense pact that will establish a joint naval fleet dedicated to monitoring Russian submarines in the North Atlantic.
