Retired General Lord Richard Dannatt describes British Army downsizing as “madness”.
Written by Paul Antonopoulos, independent geopolitical analyst
Former Chief of the General Staff, General Lord Richard Dannatt, believes that the plan to slash 9,500 soldiers from the British Army is “madness” and could “break” what remains of the force. According to him, cutting troop numbers from 82,000 to just 72,500 will put unsustainable pressure on what is left of the British Army. But what does this mean for the bold plans of a New Roman Empire claimed by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson?
“It’s a mere fact of life, we will break the remainder of our Army if our Army is not large enough, trained well enough and equipped well enough to do what the Government of the day wants us to do,” the retired officer, who was head of the Army during operations in Afghanistan, told Sky News. “You can’t make people work endlessly with such small numbers, so numbers in terms of our land forces really, really matter.”
Although the British Army is being downsized in terms of manpower, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said at the NATO Summit in Madrid that defense spending would boost to 2.5% of GDP from the current 2.12% by the end of the decade. However, General Dannatt urged Johnson to abandon the cuts because of the Russian military operation in Ukraine.
“Frankly, that’s madness because if NATO is going to have 300,000 high-readiness troops, we’ve got to play our part in that and reducing our Army further just makes no sense whatsoever.”
It’s recalled that NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg announced that the bloc, which has 40,000 response troops, would bolster that to 300,000 high-readiness forces following the war in Ukraine.
This development comes as Johnson supported the French President’s proposal on the European Political Community by suggesting the creation of a kind of new Roman Empire encompassing Turkey and major North African countries. The union of countries, as suggested by the British prime minister, would extend from the UK to the Maghreb region in North Africa and would also include Turkey and Ukraine.
Johnson said that although French President Emmanuel Macron claims credit for the idea, its origins are from when he “first became foreign secretary.” Speaking at the press conference on the way to the NATO summit on June 29, the prime minister said he believes that “we should basically be recreating the Mare Nostrum of the Roman Empire” – Mare Nostrum being the Roman name of the Mediterranean and adopted at the time when the empire controlled most of Europe, the coast of North Africa and Anatolia.
Macron’s proposal to the political community, which would be broader than the 27-member European Union, would primarily be for Ukraine and other Eastern European countries to be part of an extended organization in the hope of weakening Russian influence.
Recently, at the G7 summit in Germany, the Élysée Palace suggested that the British prime minister and the French president showed interest in their respective ideas. Although relations between the leaders of France and the UK have been quite cold in the recent past, both agreed to a fresh start at the G7 summit. A senior British official described the new partnership as “Le Bromance”, however, a French official was less excited, describing the meeting as just having gone well.
Even so, there are still many issues on which Johnson and Macron disagree, with Paris reportedly unhappy with the British prime minister’s turnaround on the Brexit issue, as well as his public claims that Macron is not aggressive enough in his negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The question begs then whether Johnson can achieve his new Roman Empire with a smaller army?
Britain’s ‘Future Soldier’ program envisages educating, ameliorating, and making the lowly Non-Commissioned Officer more tech-savvy to make up for the army’s smaller size. Maj Gen Paul Griffiths, its Director of Personnel, said in an interview with the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), that:
“Think widely about using technology because a smaller army does not have mass. We are going to increase our mass by using machines. So, the young Corporal has to think not only about his section but probably the weapons systems that are with him in the fight bringing people and machines together as a team.”
But as British Chief of General Staff General Patrick Sanders said at a RUSI conference on June 28, with UK Defense Secretary Ben Wallace, United States Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth and Germany’s Army Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Alfons Mais all in attendance:
“The war in Ukraine reminds us of the utility of Land Power: it takes an army to hold and regain territory and defend the people. It takes an Army to deter. If this battle came, we would likely be outnumbered at the point of attack and fighting like hell […] You can’t cyber your way across a river. No single platform, capability, or tactic will unlock the problem.”
Effectively, Johnson’s attempts to carve out an imperial-like influence in the 21st century is struggling to materialize, as seen with the British army’s downsizing.
What a joke the U.K. is.
Because his hair style is Roman style.
Just look at how sloppy the British beggars are, the uniforms and the Brits look so pathetic and now they can’t even from a government. Maybe India should take over.
India is not India like that. Im sure India has many very well qualified helpers. But for today they also in India are not able to decide vitals.
We see those incommers now and then as a Trump, a Macron and a Zelinsky. Only Trump was a real minus. New air is not always to the better.
Jens Holm MODI FELL INTO zionist and western trap HE HAS POLARIZED THE COUNTRY IE DIVIDED NATION CANNOT MAKE PROGRESS GET WHAT I SAM SAYING?
FOR BRITAIN SUN WILL NEVER SET IE EMPIRE WILL STAY ALIVE AS THEY HAVE FOUND INFINITE SOURCE OF ULTRA RACIST Indian babies and babus TO SERVE THEM IE PRITI PATEL,RISHI SUNAK ETC ARE CLASSIC EXAMPLE AT POLITICAL LEVEL BUT IN THOUSANDS IN GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATIVE SECTIONS WHO ARE MORE RACIST VICIOUS VINDICTIVE TO THIER FELLOW NON EUROPEANS THAN EVEN THE anglo saxons
Joke of the century I’m afraid.
Too many forgot the keep the United Kingdom United.
Lance Ripplinger Just Planned theatrics – Likely! HOWEVER, REPEATED IMAGES of Johnson deep in my mind were finally noticed two days ago and were at such a descrete level as to reallyonly seem equal to the time I saw Turkey SELLING UKRAINE THE ATOM BOMB…. Thus, I at least am guessing Boris launches a Premptive First STRIKE!!
Boris Johnson is racist gora trash.
Not at all. He is a typical old school upperclass never having had real contacts with his many opponents.
I think their main problems for years are, they strange enough cant find anyone better and make more realisme.
Nargis Haider Wait until RISHI Sunak or Priti Patel take over You will then say Boris was a saint
Boris would launch a first strike if he had any nukes. UK’s nukes are all owned by USA who hold the activation codes and will only hand them over when they want UK to use them. The UK can’t fire them independently.
Yes. They as minimim should have made reelction years ago and debated well about the future.
England is simultaneously provoking a world war and making sure they’ll be at Russia or America’s mercy when it finally pops off
cardboard cutouts only get you so far. their navy is meant to be integrated into france as they cant even find enough sailors to staff it
The lack of employments is a low birth problem. Its all over Europe.
England is beset with poverty and there beggars everywhere in the streets and homeless like America and the idiots keep sending millions to Ukraine to continue the blood shed. Something is really wrong with the Anglo mindset, which is pure evil.
They actually has a budget for it and a parlamant for decidings.
For You we of course has to give money to the to the lazy bums for doing nothing.
It makes no sense. The Britts left beacuse Poles and others took the jobs. But those too many poor dont take them. So thats where the real minus is in this.
Too many ghettoblasters – so to speak. There are vacant jobs and many. Its difficult to hire young men for any education, when they for 10 years has not listened to female teachers and already by birth are clever then them.
In jobs its same thing. They cant work with females. They can work in family business but it dont exist.
It sometimes is as if in Africa only women works too.
No.
Also, Boris had a slew of his cabinet ministers resign today which doesn’t bode well for his longevity. He sold his soul to the devil and the devil says it’s time to collect.
The collapse of the government in the UK shows that this country is not capable of ruling itself. I think it’s time it’s put under a Indian or Jamaican mandate until it learns to govern itself.
Optimists might say it only can be better. I hope for some sober debates. There are no replacers, whcih is strange.
TOTAL LOSER AND A FLOG,THE RATS WHO LEFT ARE EVEN WORSE,UTTERLY USELESS SOROS POOFS!
They actually are in a high level in GDP. By that they are able to decline. Not all has that option.
After Bojo the clown, Bojo the one-man cabinet , Discover the new episode : Bojo on the soldier side. England is a unclear dramatic-comedy making the public laughting and crying at the same time not knowing why…
Well. Some cry too. Its Our biggest tradepartner with no free in and out. Its terrible.
Keep calm and blame Putin
Bono the clown FOR BRITAIN SUN WILL NEVER SET IE EMPIRE WILL STAY ALIVE AS THEY HAVE FOUND INFINITE SOURCE OF ULTRA RACIST Indian babies and babus TO SERVE THEM IE PRITI PATEL,RISHI SUNAK ETC ARE CLASSIC EXAMPLE AT POLITICAL LEVEL BUT IN THOUSANDS IN GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATIVE SECTIONS WHO ARE MORE RACIST VICIOUS VINDICTIVE TO THIER FELLOW NON EUROPEANS THAN EVEN THE anglo saxons
Racists are the Pakis not the Hindus.
I think both and many others too.
Modi is very extreme. India should be 2 countries and Pakistan 3 or 4 partly with Pakistan.
They and we all need reforms. the world is more open then ever. By that its needed for many to change attitudes about this.
Chris Gr Absolutely agree on one condition that YOU GET CERTIFIED THAT YOU PROMISE TO USE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY WATER TO CLEAN YOUR BACKSIDE AND NOT TOILET PAPER ALSO YOU WILL USE TONGUE FLOSS TO STOP FOUL MOUTH ODOR WHAT DO SAY MY BOY?
Out PUT
the slimy racist British—an international joke—-when Scotland secedes Argentina will reclaim Falklands, England can become 35th US state after at least 15 secede and reintegrate w more civilized Mexico
Arms Argentina and watch how fast they liberate Malvinas.
Have any of you seen the latest UK Woke DOD UK videos ?? no wonder they have a very hard job getting recruits -the only thing running the UK is the City otherwise its run by America – even GCHQ I know I am on their “watch list ” . The “empire” sailed long ago- no real industry except off-shoring tax payers money.
Hire one too many lib/choko bankster woke kweers,you end up only choking all past glory to oblivion! Indeed the brown sewer rats fleeing the sinking ship,they may try the other ship,that is if they make it?
More mob than police, more invaders then troops. https://sputniknews.com/20220705/priti-patel-advocates-imprisonment–unlimited-fines-to-tackle-fuel-protests-in-uk—report-1096961163.html
Did all the trolls died out? Where are they? Not even MuhahahahahahamMad
The Russophobic troll farms have gone in hibernation as the so-called west itself is falling apart and the world now just laughs at the Anglo-Zionist propaganda. Even saner westerner like Paul Craig Roberts and Scott Ritter were laughing at the absurdity of diaper clad senile Biden and the drunk Bojo clown. Zelensky besides being a pervert is one of the most hated Jews in the world. Even Ukrainian military is now waking up and giving up their weapons to Russians.
The Russians are making mincemeat of the Ukie Nazis anyway.
Not all Jews support Ukraine.
sure, like not all jews support the occupation and crimes agains palestine. so? the money, media and politic power is in the hands of the zionists, khasarian mafia and the globalists.
so says the hasbara troll, yeah sure mate;)
Plus most of the British army are now LGBT .
John No they are Indian Babus and babies
FOR BRITAIN SUN WILL NEVER SET IE EMPIRE WILL STAY ALIVE AS THEY HAVE FOUND INFINITE SOURCE OF ULTRA RACIST Indian babies and babus TO SERVE THEM IE PRITI PATEL,RISHI SUNAK ETC ARE CLASSIC EXAMPLE AT POLITICAL LEVEL BUT IN THOUSANDS IN GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATIVE SECTIONS WHO ARE MORE RACIST VICIOUS VINDICTIVE TO THIER FELLOW NON EUROPEANS THAN EVEN THE anglo saxons
Hey, dipshit! Learn how to use a keyboard :D
Southfront is becoming like Western presstitude. Nasty bitch keeps censoring opinions.
Boris Johnstone—resigns -will make statement in a few hours.
Especially now that Vladimir Putin’s dream for a new mongol empire has gone down the drain. The Putin cockroaches are so fucking morons they still live in the delusionsal fantasy that Russia’s massive defeat in Kiev was a diversionary tactic.
We missed you mad kike. LOL
There haven’t too many battlefield updates lately since the shitty Russian army was kicked out of Snake Island. What’s going on there? All I see now are moronic articles like this one from the Southfront troll farm.
so, you goatfucking moron? soon 25% of ukraine is liberated and novorussia will be the newest russian republic. sfter finishing donbas, next will be odessa and the whole southwestern coast.
Sooner or later these pirates will give us back the Malvinas islands and our Antarctica portion >:)
Russia, China and Iran need to arm Argentina. The British are broke and can not fight 10,000 miles away in occupied Malvinas.
Problem with Argentina is that they still suck Israeli mini-dick. Too many zionist-lovers still in that country.
Makes no difference, the greasy pig Johnson is gone. Let’s hope the next PM is less of an American-worshiping psychotic lunatic.
Britain and its remaining colonies like Australia and Canada are in real social, economic and political shit storm and need to stop kissing Americunt dumb ass. They need to feed their destitute people and growing poverty instead of wasting billions to “defeat Russia” and “fight China”. The Anglo bastards are now just trash and not even a medium power. The world’s future now is in Eurasia. Only NZ seems to have understood reality.
Thats why the American rich bought up homes in New Zealand -not likely to be nuked -so much so NZ Premiere introduced legislation to cut it down .
At least England has a strong army, unlike Russia 😀
Yeah mate, army of LGBT war criminals, much like you murdering seppocunts.
we suggest you double your consumption tranny sperm—this will ease the trauma after multiple sodomies by Leroy and the humiliation you suffer from Russian domination
in your lgbt clinic are all clients morons like tammy Sawyer
I don’t know why they have an army , they always make others fight their battles for them.
An army of LGBT war criminals like the seppo cowards.
A lot of words about nothing.
Facts are Nato has grown by new memebers. If they upgrade what they have in quality, there is space for Brittish small down seizing.
Johnson has big economic problems. It make sense they should have electons there and for another election system as well. Too much Nato/EU is not updated as well as needed.
Nothing new in those disputes. Macron might also need some better profiling even its not surpriced he after all was reelected but also reduzed. That might be his correct seize.
don’t belittle around you hasbara troll. the british have no army conscription and a pure professional army with hardly any reservists. if you further reduce this already small army, it completely loses its fighting ability and stamina
Last I heard the UK army had 148 tanks left, 350 artillery pieces minus the ones given to Ukraine and an army of around 80,000 and around 70,000 reserves.
Ukraine started the conflict with 2,000 tanks, 4,700 artillery pieces and an army of 240,000 and 600,000 reserves.
You can argue about quality of equipment and training but Ukraine had been NATO armed, trained and prepared for 8 years.
It’s a multipolar world now. And BRICS will be the boss.
How many ‘organisations’ does it take to limit Russian influence? The one thing these people are doing is creating pointless organisations, no doubt including positions with salaries, which may be the explanation right there.
Probably cutting troops to pay for those white elephant QE carriers and their F-35 Lemon-II fighters. Just like most Euro-states these days, they’ve gone all-in of a small number of ultra-expensive platforms at the expense of actually having useful numbers of cheaper alternatives.