Britain needs to reassess the size and scope of its military as the world becomes increasingly dangerous due to conflicts in multiple sectors, a senior US government official has warned.
The US Navy chief said during a visit to London that further investment in the Royal Navy should be considered and that the Army may also need to be strengthened.
Carlos del Toro’s assessment of Britain’s defense capabilities says General Sir Patrick Saunders, commander of the British Army, says the army is too small to fight a major war and a citizen army needs to be formed It was announced after.
Del Toro, a US Navy veteran, spoke at RUSI and expressed his “huge respect” for the country’s military, and the “truly amazing work the Royal Navy has done in counter-terrorism operations alongside the US”. ” he said about his work. Houthis in the Red Sea.
But he added: “Given the threats that exist today, I think it is important that the UK reassess its current position.”
He said it was entirely up to the British government to choose its own policy, but added: “Frankly, given the short-term economic threat to the UK and the US, investment in the navy is very I argue that it is important.”
US and NATO commanders have warned that successive cuts to defense budgets are undermining Britain’s military effectiveness. However, it is unusual for a senior official of the US government, a major ally of the US, to publicly express such concerns.
The Ministry of Defense plans to retire two frigates, the Westminster and the Argyle, due to recruitment and retention issues, reducing the total to nine ships, while the government promises to increase the Royal Navy’s presence around the world. There is.
The size of the regular army was reduced to 73,520 men. At the Armored Warfare Conference in London, General Sanders stated that his country’s armed forces, including all reserves, were not large enough to protect the country in the event of war with Russia, and that a national mobilization plan was essential. Stated.
Del Toro acknowledged that defense costs are high. But he pointed to the money the U.S. administration has poured into it, calling it “absolutely necessary” for Western democracies facing a wide range of enemies, from authoritarian states to heavily armed hostile militias.
He said the mission in the Red Sea had to be carried out because the Houthi offensive in Yemen “sends reverberations throughout the global economy” and affects “every aspect of our lives.” emphasized.
He said the lives of sailors were being saved by blocking Houthi missile and drone incursions. “We need to keep doing it, even if it costs us a lot of money,” del Toro said.
