The above cartoon needs no explanation.
The BBC has (along with other organs of the press) reported upon the speech of Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton KCB, ADC, FREng (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c62vd7dkdpyo).
Let us get straight to the point: Fighting a war requires the “three Ms” – Men, Matériel and Money.
Google’s AI states: “As of mid-2025, the total UK Armed Forces personnel, including regulars, reserves, and other categories, stood at roughly 180,000 – 181,000, with around 136,000-147,000 in the UK Regular Forces, and approximately 32,000 in the Volunteer Reserves, a long-term trend showing a decline from previous decades.”
FACT: Were war to break out do not expect this to increase by more than the rate of inflation! <4%
Google’s AI states: “UK sovereign debt, or Public Sector Net Debt (PSND), is around £2.9 trillion, roughly 96-97% of GDP, with forecasts predicting slight increases before potentially falling later this decade, driven by spending on demographics and increased interest rates. The debt is managed by issuing gilts, which are essentially government bonds bought by institutions, with the amount growing significantly post-pandemic.”
FACT: This could be expanded rapidly. Curiously, lack of money is NOT a problem!
FACT: The real problem is Matériel. Russia has a war economy that outproduces the EU and the UK combined.
I do not believe Sir Richard Knighton to be a fool. He will be aware of my above points. I think he is readying the British Public for a hybrid war – sabotage (arson attacks on public and commercial infrastructure by non idealogical criminals who would clearly lack patriotism! Also attacks on the UK’s undersea cables – the electrical inter-connectors and the fibre optic internet cables.
Russia may threaten war but given the current situation in Ukraine, opening up another front is the last thing she’d do.
There is an old saying: One begins fighting a war with the tactics at the end of the last war.
This will have to change.
It takes time to train an infantry solider and not every recruit will pass out at the end of the training. Herewith two videos about a Chinese robot that is from the Chinese manufacturer (https://youtu.be/J5L3Y-Qtdaw) and a “short” from YouTuber “Brown Car Guy” (https://www.youtube.com/shorts/whknfrwQmxY).
Somehow, I do not think the Chinese will sell such to the British Army! Let us hope that the MoD has secretly commissioned something similar!
If not? The BBC is ahead of you! GOTO: https://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/chinese/