Global instability is spreading as Gaza war rages, UK admiral warns

Britain’s armed forces chief Admiral Sir Tony Radakin warned the war in Gaza could spread across the Middle East as he revealed the “pace and intensity” of global instability was moving far faster than officials had estimated.

Speaking at the Chatham House think tank in London, Admiral Radakin said Britain’s role in the Middle East was a vital pillar of its defence strategy with the conflicts in Ukraine and the Red Sea now shaping plans.

“We have a war in the Middle East with attendant risks to implode across the region and impact on the globe,” he said.

Under the US and British-led coalition to protect Red Sea vessels, successive rounds of strikes have been launched against the Iran-backed Houthi rebels, who have been attacking shipping lanes in retaliation for Israel’s war in Gaza.

The use of the air force and naval fleet since the UK joined the US in strikes in January is affecting the future needs of Britain’s military, Admiral Radakin said.

“There are lessons we must learn from Ukraine and the Red Sea in terms of future investment choices.

“Integrated air and missile defence for the UK; long-range missiles for the army; land attack for our surface fleet; strengthening nuclear deterrence; and hundreds of thousands more drones across all three services.

“Look at what we’re doing in the Middle East and how we compare to other nations. I think it’s clear that we’re stronger than any other nation, other than America.”

The war in Ukraine had led to speculation that Britain would have to draft conscripts to its armed forces to counter future threats. But the suggestion was dismissed by Admiral Radakin.

“We are not on the cusp of war with Russia, we are not about to be invaded, no one in the Ministry of Defence is talking about conscription in any traditional sense,” he said.

“I am not saying that Russia is not dangerous. It has demonstrated that with the aggression it employs both domestically and internationally.

“It is also significantly less capable than we anticipated following its disastrous illegal invasion into Ukraine.”

After the recent failure of Britain’s missile system that carries its nuclear deterrent, Admiral Radakin said the UK’s nuclear force was crucial.

“These are dangerous and uncertain times,” he said. “But Britain has what it needs to succeed. A G7 economy. An extensive science and technological base. Our island geography. Our membership of the world’s strongest alliance. Our status as a nuclear power and our seat in the UN Security Council.”

Admiral Radakin warned that future issues that could affect Britain included “random attacks in space and on our underwater cables”.