Defence Secretary Grant Shapps says that the world is now in a “pre-war” phase ahead of a possible World War Three.
But despite these concerns there are still no plans to grow the army, Mr Shapps revealed, as he was giving a major speech at Lancaster House in London yesterday, January 15.
However he did urge Britain and its allies to increase spending on defence – saying that a size of an army does not dictate how well defended a country is.
It was 35 years ago Margaret Thatcher gave a short speech in the same location just weeks before the Berlin Wall fell when there was a “the peace dividend”, said Shapps, before ominously adding that “the era of the peace dividend is over”.
He said: “In five years’ time we could be looking at multiple theatres involving Russia, China, Iran and North Korea.
“Ask yourselves – looking at today’s conflicts across the world – is it more likely that the number grows, or reduces?
“I suspect we all know the answer – it’s likely to grow. So, 2024 must mark an inflexion point.”
Shapps said that this year is critical for a number of crucial reasons including the outcome of the war in the Ukraine and elections taking place around the world.
Mr Shapps didn’t say when the Government would hit its target of spending 2.5 percent of GDP on defence but said they would “strive to reach it as soon as possible”.
He also revealed there were no plans to reverse Boris Johnson’s cuts that took the Army to 73,000 personnel, its smallest in 300 years.
He added: “I haven’t changed the plans. A lot of people confuse and conflate troop numbers with how well defended you are,” reports The Sun.
In his address Shapps also spoke about the recent military action in the Red Sea and the “decisive response” from the Government.
He said: “We could not have been clearer with our warnings, which they chose to ignore. And enough was enough.
“So last Thursday, the Prime Minister and I authorised RAF precision strikes using four RAF Typhoon FGR4s and supported by two Voyager air refuelling tankers.
“The result is the Houthis have been dealt a blow.”
He added: “Our decisive response in the Red Sea and our uplift in support for Ukraine offer a direct blueprint for how the UK must continue to lead in the future.”
Meanwhile another missile has struck a ship in the Red Sea, according to the UK security firm Ambrey.
It was unclear who launched the missile, however, it comes just one day after the Houthis in Yemen struck a US-owned vessel in the Gulf of Aden.
