The UK military is “too run down” to lead any potential peacekeeping missions in Ukraine, the former head of the British Army has claimed, citing persistent manpower and equipment shortages.
The accusation comes amid growing calls for the UK and France to spearhead a long-term peacekeeping effort in Ukraine, which would require deploying up to 100,000 troops.
Lord Dannatt, who served as chief of the British Army from 2006 to 2009, emphasized that such a mission would indeed require around 100,000 troops, with the UK expected to contribute a significant portion of that force.
“Our military is so run down at the present moment, numerically and as far as capability and equipment is concerned, it would potentially be quite embarrassing,” he told BBC News.
He explained, “If we were to deploy 10,000 troops each rotation for six months, that would effectively tie up 30,000 or 40,000 troops and we just haven’t got that number available.”
‘Absolutely Ready’
In response to Dannatt’s remarks, British Army official Andy Watson asserted that the military is “absolutely ready” to deploy if ordered to do so.
However, Watson did not confirm whether the required troop numbers could be met, stressing that the UK would not participate solely in the mission.
“Clearly what the force package would look like would be dependent on what the prime minister and the Ministry of Defence would like,” he stated. “I think the prime minister has been very clear that the UK would contribute to efforts, but absolutely not doing it on our own.”
Although the UK has demonstrated its ability to mobilize large numbers of troops and equipment during exercises, doubts persist about its capacity to fulfill the mission’s requirements. The UK military is now reportedly at its smallest size since the Napoleonic Wars of 1815.
Additionally, the British Army has faced criticism for being insufficiently prepared for full-scale conflict, with reports indicating its capabilities could be exhausted after just two months of high-intensity warfare.
