A group of former defense and security chiefs say the military must be “truly war-ready” to reliably deter threats.

A report by the New Bletchley Network, which draws on ideas discussed among expert panels to provide advice to the Prime Minister and Defense Secretary after the election, said years of “hollowing out” the regular and reserve forces must Reversal, warning force size may have fallen below “national critical mass”.

Those taking part in the discussions include former cabinet secretary and national security adviser Lord Mark Sedwill, former Nato chief and Labor defense secretary Lord George Robertson and former armed forces commander General David Richards.

The intervention comes amid growing concerns that Rishi Sunak’s government has failed to increase defense spending in the spring budget, despite warnings from Defense Secretary Grant Shapps Britain in the ‘pre-war world’ Russia is still waging a total war in ukraine.

The report released on Wednesday focused on British forces, warning that “deterrence is based on credibility”.

“The British Army’s credibility has been undermined by more than 20 years of hollowing out and weakening its combat capabilities. Army morale is fragile,” it added.

The brief document highlights a “serious wake-up call” from a senior Nato figure who warned the British Army was no longer a top-tier or “tier 1” fighting force.

These comments from a top U.S. general Sky News first revealed last year.

“To play a credible role in deterrence, we need to be truly prepared for war and communicate this to potential adversaries, NATO and allies, and particularly the British public,” the report said.

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Calling for the establishment of a “new model army”

It called for the creation of a “new model army” – widely respected and “ready for battle”.

“We must send a signal to our adversaries and potential adversaries that we are powerful and want to become more powerful, while having no interest in attacking or subverting any non-aggressive city or country,” the report said.

It underscores the importance of the size of the military, which has been reduced after repeated cost-cutting efforts.

“Our Army and our reserves are arguably well below national critical mass. This situation must be reversed and the relationship between scale and technology must be better understood and articulated.”

Whitehall urged to be ‘war ready’

The report also advocates a complete reorientation of the way the armed forces purchase weapons and their supply chains to ensure better value for money.

It urged Whitehall to set up a new command structure to “ready for war” and suggested setting up a task force – like the one working on delivering COVID-19 vaccines – to drive change.

“If we want to deliver a credible combat capability within a realistic budget and meet time requirements, we must be bold and make difficult and sometimes unpopular decisions.”

Other former senior officials involved in the February 27 discussions that led to the report include General Sir Richard Barrons, former commander of Joint Forces Command, and Richard Shirreff, former deputy supreme commander for allied forces in Europe. ) Sir General and former Army officer Brigadier Nigel Hall who founded the New Bletchley Network.