"The Russians are definitely beatable, but it needs a coherent approach" : How to build an army in the 21st century
May 1, 2024
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Colonel Hamish de Bretton-Gordon discusses the need for a modern army in 2024, emphasizing defense coherence and the importance of a credible deterrent. The podcast explores threats in Europe, the role of drones in warfare, and promoting news subscriptions for updates during conflicts.
Building a credible land-based deterrent in Europe is imperative to counter emerging threats.
Optimizing recruitment, enhancing capabilities, and investing in modern warfare tools are crucial for military readiness.
Deep dives
Rebuilding the Army with a New Model: Addressing Modern Threats
Rebuilding the British army is a pressing concern as indicated by the discussion at Rusey about developing a 'new model army.' The need to prepare, prevent, and deter war has become crucial in the face of emerging threats. Recognizing the multifaceted nature of threats in 2024, the immediate concern lies in Europe, particularly with a modern-day tyrant determined to expand westward. The call for a credible land-based deterrent is emphasized, highlighting the urgency to reallocate resources and focus on conventional defense to counter these imminent risks.
Challenges in Manpower and Equipment: Adapting to the Evolving Warfare Landscape
Key challenges in the military encompass optimizing the recruitment and retention of personnel alongside enhancing military capabilities. The current struggles in recruiting and training highlight the need for reevaluating the military's approach to personnel management. Moreover, enhancing equipment and adapting to modern warfare, including the integration of drones and cybersecurity, are critical components in preparing for future conflicts and maintaining a strategic advantage in battlefields.
Political Inaction and Risks of Repetition: Lessons Unlearned and Urgent Calls for Change
Despite the evident vulnerabilities and repeating historical mistakes in military readiness, there is a concerning lack of political will to address these critical defense issues. The failure to prioritize defense in political agendas raises apprehensions about the readiness to respond to imminent threats and conflicts. The inadequacies in addressing defense concerns, such as manpower shortages and equipment modernization, underscore the urgent need for decisive action to prevent potential military vulnerabilities in facing evolving geopolitical challenges.
On this bonus episode of Battle Lines we speak to Colonel Hamish de Bretton-Gordon about the state of the army in 2024. What should an army look like in the 21st century? What equipment is needed? How much should countries be spending?
Contributors
David Knowles (Host) @djknowles22 on X.
Hamish Stephen de Bretton-GordonOBE @HamishDBG on X