PNN – In a report comparing the UK’s defense budget with the defense budget of countries like Iran, China and Russia, The Times of London wrote: London is lagging behind its competitors.
According to the report of Pakistan News Network, the report of the Times magazine states: While Iran, China and Russia have increased their defense budgets, the previous British conservative government announced that the number of personnel in the country’s military forces will be reduced to 72,500.
According to the report of the Times, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has been warned that the country has not been able to keep up with its rivals, including Iran, China and Russia, in the field of defense investment over the past decade.
In this report, pointing out that Tehran, Beijing, and Moscow have increased their defense budgets by 57, 60, and 34 percent, respectively, over the past 10 years, it is stated: But research by the Library of the House of Commons has shown that the British defense budget experienced only 14% growth in the same period.
The Times report adds: Starmer is under pressure to present his desired timetable for increasing the British defense budget to the level of 2.5% of the country’s GDP.
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In a report, The Times newspaper of London previously announced the deterioration of the situation of the British army and wrote that about 20% of the armed forces of this country are not ready to participate in combat operations due to physical and mental problems.
Military experts in England have been sounding the alarm about the crisis in the country’s army for years. According to the Times report, out of 71 thousand 340 troops of the British army, only 55 thousand 5 people are in full readiness without any medical restrictions. While about 10,000 people are completely non-deployable, another 15,000 people can participate in operations only by meeting certain conditions, such as restrictions on exposure to difficult conditions or the use of special equipment.
These problems are not only limited to the army, and similar numbers of personnel with physical and mental limitations have been reported in the British Navy and Air Force, which reduces their ability to effectively participate in operations.
The Times quoted military experts and wrote that these statistics are considered a serious alarm for British defense preparedness. They believe that this situation can weaken the country’s ability to respond to global threats and play a role in international coalitions.
One of the experts said in an interview with The Times: The medical problems of the troops should be addressed immediately. Hiring more doctors and investing in advanced equipment can be part of the solution to this challenge.
This report is published at a time when England is facing extensive security and economic challenges. Officials in London are worried that the reduction of the operational capacity of the armed forces will weaken the country’s position in NATO and other international military alliances.
The dire situation of the army in the long run
The Times wrote that the medical problems and low readiness of the armed forces require urgent attention and corrective measures, otherwise Britain’s ability to defend itself and play a role on the world stage will be severely undermined.
Richard Barons, a retired British general, had previously warned that the country’s military had become so weak due to budget cuts and insufficient investment that it would take 5 to 10 years to regain the necessary readiness to face a possible attack.