The drumbeat of a new national challenge echoes across the UK, not from distant battlefields, but within our very homes and industries. Sir Richard Knighton, the head of the military, has issued a stark warning: the nation’s security “cannot be outsourced to the armed forces” alone. He paints a sobering picture of a growing **Russia threat** that demands a profound “whole-of-society response,” where every citizen, institution, and industry has a crucial part to play.
Sir Richard emphasizes that while a direct Russian attack on the UK might be remote, the peril from **hybrid attacks** is worsening daily. We are already experiencing this insidious form of warfare, from relentless cyber-onslaughts impacting our infrastructure to suspected sabotage by Russian agents, and even a spy ship recently mapping vital undersea cables near UK waters. He warns, “we should be under no illusions that Russia has a massive, increasingly technically sophisticated, and now highly combat-experienced military.” This isn’t just a distant military problem; it’s an immediate, pervasive challenge to our very way of life.
Deterring such a potent and varied **Russia threat** necessitates a robust **national resilience** that extends far beyond the traditional remit of the **armed forces**. It calls for an unprecedented collective effort, integrating the formidable strengths of UK universities, our critical energy and manufacturing sectors, and even the NHS. Building this industrial capacity is paramount – not only to meet our own defence needs but also to re-stock and re-arm our allies. This, in turn, requires a new generation of talent; Sir Richard calls for schools, parents, and leaders to encourage young people into these vital industries, addressing a significant skills gap and announcing £50m for new defence technical excellence colleges.
In an unprecedented position, Sir Richard finds himself overseeing the largest sustained increase in **defence spending** since the Cold War, with the government committing to raise it to 5% of GDP by 2035. This substantial financial commitment underscores the gravity of the situation, yet money alone isn’t enough. As Sir Richard solemnly puts it, “Sons and daughters, colleagues, veterans will all have a role to play – to build, to serve, and if necessary, to fight… And more families will know what sacrifice for our nation means.”
His message is clear: facing the evolving **Russia threat** is a collective imperative. Every facet of British society, from its innovators to its citizens, must contribute to building a formidable national shield. It’s an urgent call for unity, resilience, and a shared understanding that securing our future demands a “whole-of-society” effort.
