Putin bombs are a threat to us all, says Williamson
RUSSIA’S “cold-blooded attack” on a former agent on British soil shows that Vladimir Putin’s development of new long-range missiles and nuclear weapons should be taken as a serious threat, the Defence Secretary says today.
Writing in The Sunday Telegraph, Gavin Williamson alludes to a warning he made about Russia’s nuclear arsenal before the poisoning was linked to Moscow, stating: “If we were in any doubt of the danger posed by Moscow, we only have to look at events in Salisbury.”
In an article marking the formation of the Royal Air Force 100 years ago today, Mr Williamson insists that it is vital that Britain’s defence capabilities keep evolving to meet the threats of tomorrow. His intervention came as Russia escalated a “tit for tat” diplo-
‘Putin is using more hybrid capabilities to subvert, undermine, and influence countries around the world’
matic spat between the countries, telling Britain it must send home “just over 50” more of its diplomats, after allies of the UK announced plans to expel more than 130 Russian diplomats as a result of the attack.
Writing after Russia released footage of the test launch of a new intercontinental ballistic missile, the Defence Secretary describes how RAF personnel are “patrolling Nato skies against aggression” and says the air force has a “priceless capacity” to “adapt to meet changing dangers”, including those posed by Mr Putin.
“He is using more hybrid capabilities to subvert, undermine and influence countries around the world,” Mr Williamson says of the Russian president.
“He is investing in long-range missiles, boasting about nuclear systems and engaging in brazen cyber operations,” he writes.
Russia last night demanded to know why it had been “denied consular access” to Sergei Skripal, the former spy, and Yulia, his daughter, as it sent a list of 14 questions to British authorities about the poisonings.
Acentury ago today, bombers of Number 101 Squadron took the fight to the enemy in the midst of the Kaiser’s Spring Offensive. It was Germany’s final roll of the dice during the First World War but the very first mission of the RAF – the world’s first independent air force.
As we mark the Royal Air Force’s 100th anniversary, this is a golden opportunity to reflect on their soaring success since then. In 1940, its daring pilots saved our nation in its darkest hour. Its ever vigilant crews blanketed us against the nuclear chill of the Cold War. Its dauntless air men and women toppled a dictator in the Gulf, and stopped terrorists turning Afghanistan into a base from which to launch attacks on our streets. Together they’ve earned the RAF a glowing global reputation and cemented its place in the history books.
Today’s aviators continue to be trailblazers: patrolling Nato skies against aggression, eliminating barbaric Isil fighters in Syria, and standing at the ready, round the clock, to intercept incoming threats at home. As I write, they are conducting 13 operations in 21 countries across five continents. It’s been my great privilege to meet some of those brave heroes up close and to witness their world-class professionalism, their ability to build international alliances and their belief that anyone with talent can rise to the very top. The RAF is the true face of a global, modern Britain – admired by our friends, respected and feared by our adversaries.
Yet, what stands out above all is the RAF’s priceless capacity to adapt to meet changing dangers. The world is becoming a darker, more dangerous place. We’re not simply dealing with the toll of international terror – underscored by the appalling attack on a French supermarket by Isil just last week. We’re having to counter rising state-based dangers and react to
growing global instability. China is pushing for superpower status. Iran’s proxy military presence in Iraq, Syria and Yemen, as well as its nuclear aspirations, are well known. North Korea has demonstrated an active global cyber capability while its reckless nuclear missile programme poses a deeply disturbing threat.
Then there is President Putin. He is using more hybrid capabilities to subvert, undermine, and influence countries around the world. We have entered a new era of warfare. He is investing in long-range missiles, boasting about nuclear systems and engaging brazen cyber operations. If we were in any doubt of the danger posed by Moscow, we only have to look at events in Salisbury, where our Armed Forces, including the RAF, have been responding to a coldblooded chemical attack.
Currently, the Organisation for the Prohibition Chemical Weapons is verifying Porton Down’s analysis of the nerve agents used in that atrocity.
We shouldn’t forget this was the first offensive use of a nerve agent in Europe since the Second World War. This was an illegal and contemptuous use of force against our country by the Russian State, endangering innocent lives. The Kremlin’s response has been
to unleash a tidal wave of smears, lies and mockery. The world’s patience with Putin’s malign behaviour has worn thin. In recent days it’s been heartening to see our friends and allies unite behind us and push back against the Kremlin’s desire to divide us.
It’s vital for UK defence to keep evolving to keep our country safe and protect the hard-earned freedoms and way of life we enjoy. That’s why the Prime Minister and Chancellor agreed the defence budget should benefit from £800million extra funding – ensuring the rebuild of our world-class Dreadnought nuclear submarines remains on track and that we continue to meet other obligations this year.
At the same time, we’re taking a leaf out of the RAF’s book, conducting a Modernising Defence Programme that will transform our Armed Forces. It will be more productive, more lethal and more hard hitting, able to counter conventional threats and deal with the new challenges of hybrid conflict. It will give us the capabilities to operate confidently in the new domains of warfare. And it will use the RAF’s unparalleled agility and adaptability to continue confronting conventional or terrorist challenges while responding to humanitarian crises.
This a crucial moment. As we look to embrace a post-Brexit world, a bold new chapter is opening for our Armed Forces. Fittingly, our mighty air force, a century on, continues to lead the charge.
The sky has never been the limit for the RAF, as their famous motto reminds us. Through adversity to the stars.
‘The world’s patience with Putin’s behaviour has worn thin. It’s been heartening to see our allies unite behind us’