The Bunker – News without the nonsense The Race to Rearm – Could Britain fight a hot war within two years?
Jun 17, 2025
Peter Ricketts, former UK National Security Adviser and Britain’s representative to NATO, discusses the urgent need for Britain to bolster its military readiness potentially within two years. He dives into the implications of Russia’s threats and the lessons learned from the Cold War, highlighting the importance of modernizing Britain’s defense strategies. Ricketts emphasizes the challenges of defense procurement and the necessity for societal commitment to warfare, drawing parallels to historical rearmament efforts. A thought-provoking conversation on the future of Britain's security!
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Renewed Serious Military Threat
- The threat from Russia is serious but not immediate, rooted in having a hostile neighbor intent on viewing the UK as an enemy.
- The post-Cold War peace dividend is over; defense spending was above 3% of GDP during the Cold War and is necessary again.
NATO's Continued Relevance
- NATO remains crucial despite recent strains, especially because the U.S. will not exit the alliance.
- European nations must increase their defense spending to avoid free riding on American forces.
NATO Returns to Europe
- NATO has focused on conflicts outside Europe, leaving homeland defense weaker.
- The new reality demands NATO refocus on European territorial defense against Russia.