Newscast Ex MI6 Chief On The Future of UK Defence
May 31, 2025
Alex Younger, former head of MI6, dives into the future of UK defense, sharing critical insights into evolving threats from Russia and China. He discusses the importance of innovation and readiness in military strategy, emphasizing a holistic approach to national security. Younger also highlights the need for diversifying the UK's nuclear capabilities and reassessing its reliance on US support. With defense spending expected to rise, he advocates for a forward-thinking stance to address emerging global challenges and technological advancements.
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Missile Assembly By Hand
- Laura Kuenssberg visited a missile factory where missiles are largely assembled by hand.
- She found the experience surreal, realizing some of these missiles could be used in current conflicts like Ukraine.
Dual Threats Shape Defence Needs
- The UK faces dual threats: China as a rising technological power and Russia as an immediate military danger.
- Defence should focus on building capabilities to deter and prevent wars by attaching consequences to hostile moves.
Wishful Thinking Behind Global Peace
- The post-Cold War narrative of global democracy triumph was wishful thinking and ignored real state behaviours.
- Intelligence saw rising threats from Putin and Xi long before political leaders accepted it.