- Lessons from Ukraine conflict to shape future of British military, says Defence Secretary
- Electronic warfare and artillery priorities influenced by Ukraine conflict
- Defence Command Paper to outline increased investment in defense expenditure
Ukraine has “tragically become a battle laboratory,” but the lessons learned there will inform the future of the British military, according to Defence Secretary Ben Wallace.
His remarks were made before the release of a revised Defence Command Paper, which was initially published before the start of the conflict.
Mr. Wallace said Kyiv’s allies’ weapons’ efficacy influenced the modifications.
It would be extremely imprudent to disregard these lessons and not incorporate them into our military, he said.
The revised 2021 report will detail how the UK would spend £2.5 billion more on defence.
Mr. Wallace, who plans to resign as defense secretary in the upcoming cabinet reshuffle after four years in the position, stated: “The war in Ukraine has focused minds because there is a very real adversary being very aggressive, breaking all the rules of war on the continent of Europe, and fighting a war designed to destroy a country”.
This realization compels us to modify the risk tolerance we had when we originally drafted this paper.
“At first, we were taking things out of service, leaving a gap amid the decade, and then replacing them with new equipment. This is something I no longer wish to risk.”
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) stated that the document outlined key objectives for the United Kingdom’s armed forces, such as “prioritizing investment in replenishment, modernizing our forces, and embodying a fully integrated approach to deterrence and defense.”
Mr. Wallace stated, “New technologies are not gimmicks; they are fundamental to how we fight a modern war.”
The analysis of the strategies employed in Ukraine, he added, would help “ensure that we are prepared for any future conflict.”
Defense drones and ordnance
One such lesson is the “power of electronic warfare,” according to Mr. Wallace, who elaborated: “The use of [electronic] warfare either as a decoy or as a defense is becoming important, so it moves up the priority list.”
According to him, the conflict in Ukraine had also focused attention on the use of “deep fire” artillery and influenced the decision to retire old 155mm cannons and acquire new ones.
“The range of ‘deep fire’ artillery has undergone a generational shift,” he said. “The 155mm cannon had an approximate range of 22 to 25 kilometers for approximately fifty years.
Future vehicles of the new generation will have a range of 60 kilometers. So I have decided to replace the old 155mm with the Swedish Archer 1.”
In Ukraine, artillery has played a significant role for both factions. However, since the end of the Cold War, the British military has reduced its artillery forces.
Mr. Wallace stated, “After the Second World War, 35 percent of the army consisted of artillery. Currently, it’s around 8%. Deep fire is something that requires rebalancing. The principles are as follows.”
‘£24bn legacy’
The former combatant was instrumental in the United Kingdom’s response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
His Wyre and Preston North constituency in Lancashire will be eliminated at the upcoming general election due to boundary changes. And he has stated that he will not run for a new seat.
Mr. Wallace told that Prime Minister Rishi Sunak had left the Ministry of Defence a “massive £24bn legacy” when asked about the legacy he intended to leave behind.
“Since I’ve taken office, our real defense spending has increased,” he said.
In addition, he cautioned that the Ukraine conflict served as a reminder that “there are bad people out there who want to do bad things to Britain and her allies.”
Mr. Wallace is believed to have informed Mr. Sunak of his intention to resign from the cabinet last month.
